Pesticide Exposure, Military Service Linked To Increased Risk of ALS: Study

Martha Garcia

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Individuals who are persistently exposed to environmental pollutants, such as toxic pesticides, may face a higher risk of developing Lou Gehrig’s disease, or ALS, according to the findings of new research. 

In a study published this week in the medical journal JAMA Neurology, researchers tested participants’ blood for environmental pollutants, including pesticides, flame retardants and other toxic chemicals, and found those with high levels of certain chemicals and those who were in the military were more likely to also have the rapidly progressive and fatal neurological disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

University of Michigan researchers conducted a case-control study involving 156 individuals with ALS and compared them to 128 controls, taking blood samples and surveying their exposure to chemicals and environmental pollutants, including organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and brominated flame retardants (BFRs)..

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Participants who reported cumulative chemical exposure to two types of OCPs, pentachlorobenzene and cis-chlordane, two types of PCBs, PCB 175 and 202, and polybrominated diphenyl ether had increased risk of having ALS.

Those with high exposures to the chemicals during their work history overall and residential or work history 10 to 30 years ago had increased risk of having ALS.

“We report that service in the US military is statistically or marginally significant in multiple exposure windows, agreeing with reports that military personnel are high-risk populations for ALS. While triggers remain unknown, suspected risk factors include environmental exposures, multiple vaccinations, physical activity, and traumatic injury,” the researchers said of their findings. “Similar to our initial report of survey data, we again found associations of ALS with reported occupational pesticide use and lower educational attainment.”

ALS is a degenerative disease where nerve cells break down over time, affecting a person’s ability to chew, swallow, speak and breathe. The condition affects about 20,000 people each year in the U.S. Recently, the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge went viral helping to raise awareness for the disease and raised $115 million for research toward the cure.

Past research has shown a link between chemical exposure and ALS risk. Researchers say the chemicals in pesticides and other toxic substances may affect the way the nerves function; but more research is needed to determine the true effect chemical exposure has on ALS.

Martha Garcia
Written by: Martha Garcia

Health & Medical Research Writer

Martha Garcia is a health and medical research writer at AboutLawsuits.com with over 15 years of experience covering peer-reviewed studies and emerging public health risks. She previously led content strategy at The Blogsmith and contributes original reporting on drug safety, medical research, and health trends impacting consumers.

Tags: ALS, Chemicals, Lou Gehrigs Disease, Pesticide, Pollution

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5 Comments

Barbara
Last year, my 68-year-old partner was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease also known as ALS. Speaking and swallowing were two of his challenges. His collapse was swift and catastrophic, and neither Standard treatment like riluzole and high dose B12 did very little for him. He would not have survived if our primary care physician hadn’t given him attentive care and attention, as the hospital center didn’t provide any psychological support. His fall was abrupt and catastrophic. His hands and legs gave way to weakness in his arms. he used different supplements that didn’t work, so last July, he tried the ALS/MND protocol—the best decision ever! His symptoms eased, his strength returned, and he sleeps soundly. He feels like a new man, and he can walk and exercise again. We got the ALS/MND protocol from ww w. Uinehealthcentre. net
Barbara
I was living a normal life with my family when, at 52, I began experiencing muscle stiffness and twitching. After seeing a neurologist, I was diagnosed with ALS. It was a tough reality, and as the disease progressed, I eventually lost the ability to walk and relied on a wheelchair. A friend recommended Uine Health Centre (www. uinehealthcentre .net), where I began their ALS/MND protocol. After about three months, I noticed significant improvements, less stiffness, fewer symptoms, and I was able to walk distances again.
chantel
I don’t understand these results. All of the recent studies show obesity and type 2 diabetes as reducing risk for ALS. But Akkermansia  is thought to help ameliorate obesity and type 2 diabetes. Nicotinamide gives people a lot of energy so it makes sense that it would be linked with increased metabolism. But it seems many ALS patients have a problem with increased metabolism. I just wonder how if it is really working the way they are guessing and i’m given you 100% that this(healthmedlab@gmail.com) have cure for ALS, they cure my uncle who was 78 years of age, please try to contact them and they cure so much disease with pure herbal herbs  Websites:http://healthmedlab.weebly.com
Sam
My Mother is suffering with ALS, it’s an awful disease that eats you from the outside in. She had a career as a civilian sailor for 14yrs before being diagnosed just 1yr ago. This has turn our life upside down. I do believe her civilian military service is the cause as she was exposed to chemicals, toxic substances, as well as vaccinations without knowledge it would later be a death sentence.
peggyR
My Wife was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) when she was 72 years old 4 years ago. The Rilutek (riluzole) did very little to help her. The medical team did even less. Her decline was rapid and devastating. Her arms weakened first, then her hands and legs. Last year, a family friend told us about Doctor Hazim Usman and this successful ALS TREATMENT, we contact him through his email address (usmandrhazim@gmail.com) and ordered this ALS Formula, i am happy to report the treatment effectively treated and reversed her Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), most of the symptoms stopped, she is able to walk and eat well, sleep well and exercise regularly., she is pretty active now and her attitude is extremely positive.

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