Stuart Millheiser Discusses 4 Environmental Factors That Can Cause ALS

NEW YORK, Aug. 26, 2015 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- Stuart Millheiser founded ALS Guardian Angels, a charity with a mission to improve the lives of ALS patients and their families. Commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease, ALS caught the public's attention when it ended the career of one of the most admired baseball players of all time. While genetic distribution is seen as a primary cause, Stuart Millheiser looks into environmental factors that have been speculated to be causal factors.

1. Soil. Cases of ALS-like symptoms in Guam contribute to this theory, as trace minerals in the soil seem to be a reason for the high number of people who have fallen victim to ALS. Also, dust-dwelling bacterial toxins present in the soil during the Gulf War are also thought to be associated with large cases of ALS that have been contracted after their service.
2. Warfare. Veterans who have been diagnosed with ALS appear to be the slightly more common scenario in comparison to men who did not serve. While scientists have expressed concerns that a bigger sample size is needed to test this theory, the disease has been extremely apparent in soldiers that fought in the Gulf War, Korean War, Vietnam War, and World War II. 
3. Toxins. Heavy metals, solvents, radiation, and electromagnetic fields are all factors thought to emit toxins that can cause to the contraction of ALS. An overwhelming amount of cases caused by these environmental toxins contributes to the notion that it is likely a causal factor.
4. Exercise. Some sports fields may emit toxins, thus citing increased activity on fields as a potential leading factor in acquiring the disease. Also, an extreme amount of toxin exposure has shown ALS to be common in soldiers who exert themselves in an environment that may have toxins in it (i.e. dirt/mud). Strenuous physical labor in itself is a potential cause, toxins aside, which can also be a reason that athletes contract ALS.

Stuart Millheiser is the founder of ALS Guardian Angels. Millheiser founded ALS Guardian Angels in 2007 to help patients that are suffering from ALS, formerly known as Lou Gehrig's disease. Millheiser has helped hundreds of people with ALS by providing everything from medical equipment to support for basic living expenses.

Millheiser has been referred to as "a true angel on earth" for his charitable work. He feels a sense of accomplishment by helping those in need. After the viral spreading of the ice bucket challenge during the summer of 2014, Millheiser is hopeful that more people will continue to become aware of ALS and support this truly important cause.

Media Contact: Stuart Millheiser, ALS Guardian Angels, 949-488-9894, [email protected]

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SOURCE ALS Guardian Angels