Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

Overview

Four supplements are indexed for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) across four studies, all with low ratings.

Intravenous N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) at 50 mg/kg daily for 12 months did not improve survival or slow progression in one study. Acetyl-L-Carnitine is uncertain: a small trial reported slower decline and longer survival with usual care, but evidence is not conclusive.

Lutein and Lycopene evidence comes mainly from large observational cohorts linking higher dietary carotenoid intake to lower ALS risk; lycopene alone did not show a clear association. See the heatmap and evidence reviews below for detail.

Effect graph

Unlock now

Relevant supplements

Relevant supplements sorted by DEX Score.


Lutein	★★★★★	Low
Acetyl-L-Carnitine	★★★★★	Low
Lycopene	★★★★★	Very Low / None
Vitamin E	★★★★★	Very Low / None
N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC)	★★★★★	Very Low / None

Weakest

Strongest

12345

Unlock now

Studies

Find individual evidence reviews for supplements sorted by DEX Score.

5 supplements for and rated at least stars. All purchase bands. No minimum star filter.

LuteinView supplement →

Reconsider purchase★★★★★

How we scored this

Effect SizeLowEvidenceMediumTrustMedium

Evidence Review

A large study that combined results from five long-term health projects followed more than one million people and looked at the risk of developing ALS (a serious nerve disease).
The study found that people who ate more foods rich in carotenoids, especially lutein and beta-carotene (found in many colorful fruits and vegetables), had a lower risk of ALS (around 21% lower risk for lutein alone and 15% for beta-carotene).
Other carotenoids like lycopene and beta-cryptoxanthin, as well as vitamin C, were not linked to lower risk.
Eating a diet high in carotenoid-rich foods may help lower the chances of ALS.

Browse 1 study

MetaIntakes of vitamin C and carotenoids and risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: pooled results from 5 cohort studies2013n=1,153

A pooled analysis of 5 cohorts (1,153 ALS deaths) found no clear association between carotenoid or vitamin C intake and ALS risk.

Effect: Benefit
Population: Adults
Participants: 1,153

View on PubMed

Acetyl-L-CarnitineView supplement →

Reconsider purchase★★★★★

How we scored this

Effect SizeLowEvidenceLowTrustMedium

Evidence Review

It is uncertain if acetyl-L-carnitine helps people with ALS.
One small study found that taking acetyl-L-carnitine along with usual treatment slowed ALS decline, improved some physical abilities, and helped patients live nearly two years longer compared to usual treatment alone.

Browse 1 study

RCTRandomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial of acetyl-L-carnitine for ALS2013

A 48-week pilot RCT in 82 ALS patients on riluzole found acetyl-L-carnitine 3 g/day improved ALSFRS-R and FVC scores and extended median survival (45 vs 22 months) versus placebo.

Effect: Benefit
Duration: 48 weeks
Dose: 3 g/day
Population: Patients with ALS
Ages: 40–70

View on PubMed

LycopeneView supplement →

Do not purchase★★★★★

How we scored this

Effect SizeVery Low / NoneEvidenceMediumTrustMedium

Evidence Review

Research shows that people who eat the most foods rich in carotenoids have about a 25% lower risk of developing ALS compared to those who eat the least.
Eating lycopene alone, however, does not seem to lower risk.

Browse 1 study

MetaIntakes of vitamin C and carotenoids and risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: pooled results from 5 cohort studies2013n=1,153

A pooled analysis of 5 cohorts (1,153 ALS deaths) found no clear association between carotenoid or vitamin C intake and ALS risk.

Effect: No Benefit
Population: Adults
Participants: 1,153

View on PubMed

N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC)View supplement →

Do not purchase★★★★★

How we scored this

Effect SizeVery Low / NoneEvidenceLowTrustMedium

Hospital IV/IM therapy — not an oral supplement

Evidence Review

A study showed that giving N-acetylcysteine by injection at 50 mg/kg daily for 12 months did not help people with ALS live longer or slow disease progression.

Browse 1 study

RCTRandomized, double-blind, controlled trial of acetylcysteine in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis1995n=81

A 12-month double-blind RCT of 81 ALS patients found acetylcysteine (50 mg/day) did not significantly slow disease progression versus placebo.

Effect: No Benefit
Duration: 12 months
Dose: 50 mg/day
Population: ALS patients
Participants: 81

View on PubMed

Vitamin EView supplement →

Do not purchase★★★★★

How we scored this

Effect SizeVery Low / NoneEvidenceLowTrustMedium

Evidence Review

Taking vitamin E by mouth does not slow ALS progression.
A study found that 1490 IU daily for up to a year, in addition to standard treatment, does not improve survival or physical function.
But vitamin E might help prevent the disease from getting worse.
Eating more vitamin E rich foods is not associated with disease risk.

Browse 2 studies

RCTVitamin E serum levels and controlled supplementation and risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis2013n=50

An analysis of 29,127 Finnish male smokers in the ATBC study found higher baseline vitamin E associated with lower ALS risk; supplementation did not significantly reduce ALS incidence.

Effect: No Benefit
Dose: 50 mg/day
Population: Cancer patients
Participants: 50
Ages: 50–69

View on PubMed

RCTA double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial of alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) in the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. ALS Riluzole-Tocopherol Study Group2001n=89

A 12-month double-blind RCT in 89 ALS patients found alpha-tocopherol 500 mg twice daily did not slow disease progression versus placebo.

Effect: No Benefit
Duration: 12 months
Dose: 500 mg 2×/day
Population: Patients
Participants: 89

View on PubMed

Unlock now

Evidence visualised

Same ratings as above, aggregated so you can see coverage and imbalance.

Purchase-guidance distribution

How many supplements fall in each purchase band

Effect-size distribution

How large the reported benefits tend to be

Study distribution across 5 supplements for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (als) (6 studies total).
Supplement	DEX	Studies	Share
Vitamin E	★★★★★32%	2	33%
Acetyl-L-Carnitine	★★★★★44%	1	17%
Lutein	★★★★★48%	1	17%
Lycopene	★★★★★36%	1	17%
N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC)	★★★★★32%	1	17%

Unlock now

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

Overview

Effect graph

Relevant supplements

Studies

Evidence visualised

On this page