The below content was taken and repurposed from the Winning the Fight website. You can find the original HERE.

Glutamate, ALS, and Cell Death

To understand the basis for the Deanna Protocol® Metabolic Plan, one must first consider the pathology in neurodegenerative conditions in general and ALS specifically. Death of motor neurons spreads throughout the body in individuals with ALS due to glutamate. When cells die, they burst and release intracellular glutamate into the extracellular space. This increase in extracellular glutamate causes neighboring healthy motor neurons to die, to burst, and to release more glutamate into extracellular space, which will kill even more neighboring cells. This so-called storm of glutamate in ALS causes cell death to happen at an exponential rate. (The spread of cell death via excess extracellular glutamate has already been proven in other neurodegenerative conditions, such as traumatic brain injury. It has not yet been proven in ALS research. However, we know that all cells release glutamate when they die and that excess extracellular glutamate kills neighboring cells, regardless of the disease/condition.)

Dr. Tedone, Winning the Fight’s Medical Liaison, hypothesizes that somehow, the exposure to excess extracellular glutamate in ALS kills neighboring healthy neurons by interrupting the Krebs Cycle in each of them. Dr. Tedone’s hypothesis holds that this Krebs Cycle interruption is a chief cause of cell death. After all, when cells cannot produce energy efficiently, they die.

How the Deanna Protocol® Metabolic Plan Helps Stop Cell Death Caused by Extracellular Glutamate in ALS

Does the Deanna Protocol® Metabolic Plan (DP™ Plan) neutralize the excess extracellular glutamate in ALS? No. The DP™ Plan focuses on cell metabolism. The DP™ Plan delivers Alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG) to the Krebs Cycle in the neurons. The increase in AKG enables their mitochondria to produce enough energy to help keep cells alive, despite their exposure to an unhealthy amount of extracellular glutamate. AKG usually does not pass through the cell membranes in normal healthy cells. Based on the research of Winning the Fight and Dr. Tedone, they found that the permeability of the cell membrane in diseased or damaged cells changes and allows AKG to permeate the cells. Due to the fact that AKG only enters diseased cells, the substance only goes where it is needed.

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The Winning the Fight Program for ALS consists of a few different components. The overall program is separated into substances that have shown (in lab studies) to be effective in ALS and substances that promote overall neuromuscular health. The first and most important component of the Winning the Fight Program for ALS is the DP™ Plan Essentials. These substances are AAKG, AKG, GABA, Ubiquinol (CoQ10), Niacin (non-flush), and 5HTP (5-hydroxtrytophane).

Another component of the Winning the Fight Program for ALS consists of ancillary substances, some of which have been found effective in Deanna, but have not yet been proven in a lab, and others of which the National Institutes of Health (NIH) claims maintain the health of the nervous system and muscles. Many of these ancillary substances can be supplied by a healthy diet. However, individuals with ALS may need more of them than healthy individuals, which is why taking the ancillary substances makes sense for those who can afford to cover the cost. The NIH has published a manuscript "Nutrition and Supplements in Motor Neuron Diseases" which emphasizes the importance of nutrition to support quality of life for PALS.

Simplesa products include all the ingredients contained in the DP™ Plan Essentials, as well as the ancillary substance Liposomal Glutathione (found effective in Deanna), and the rest of the ancillary supplements (contained in AM and PM blends). The following Simplesa products make it easy to follow these nutritional regimens:

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• AAKG+ Core Powder contains the full recommended daily dosages of GABA, Ubiquinol and Niacin and the minimum dose of AAKG.
• AAKG Powder, used to increase your AAKG level at your own pace to your own maximum level
• 5HTP Capsules
• AKG, available as liquid or capsules

Ancillary Supplements: For Extra Benefit

• Liposomal Glutathione Liquid
• Total Health AM & PM, available as powders, contain an additional 20 nutrients to support nerve and muscle health based on research from the National Institutes for Health

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