Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as “Lou Gehrig’s Disease,” is a terminal, paralytic illness that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Although ALS’s cause is currently unknown, recent studies implicate the affect of free radicals in the death and deterioration of motor neurons in this disease. The motor neuron’s death erodes the brain’s ability to initiate and control muscle movements. It is not uncommon to see advanced ALS patients completely paralyzed.

Studies further indicate that glutathione activity is greatly reduced in the parts of the brain that are affected by ALS. These findings suggest that glutathione levels and free radicals may be involved in the evolution and manifestation of the disease. Research shows that raising the levels of glutathione in ALS patients may help prevent cellular damage by free radicals.

http://www.alsa.org/about-als/what-is-als.html

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8967746