Can alternative medical treatments be harmful?

Typical complementary medicine practices include taking high doses of vitamins, trace elements, and dietary supplements. No medical side effects or harm are expected from these treatments. “Diets” and “detoxification regimens” can be problematic if this treatment involves restrictions on dietary composition and energy intake. In particular, dietary changes that lead to weight loss should be avoided at all costs, as they can worsen the prognosis for the progression of ALS.

Another potential risk associated with “alternative medicine” stems from the high costs of medications, therapies, and treatments. Financial risks arise from unscrupulous treatment recommendations and “quackery” in the field of “alternative medicine” as it relates to ALS.