Oxford ALS Nutrition Clinic

About the Clinic

The Oxford ALS Nutrition Clinic (OANC) was founded in 2015 with a single purpose: to improve the quality of life for people living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) through evidencebased nutritional care. Based in the historic city of Oxford, the clinic integrates clinical expertise, cuttingedge research, and patientfocused support.

Malnutrition is a common and serious complication of ALS, contributing to faster disease progression, reduced respiratory function, and decreased survival. OANC works proactively to identify nutritional risk early, provide individualized dietary strategies, and monitor changes as the disease evolves.

Services Offered

Our multidisciplinary team delivers a comprehensive suite of services, each tailored to the unique needs of the individual.

• Initial Nutritional Assessment detailed evaluation of weight trends, body composition, swallowing function, and dietary intake.
• Personalised Nutrition Plans caloriedense, nutrientrich meal plans that adapt to changing swallowing abilities.
• Enteral Feeding Support guidance on when and how to initiate gastrostomy feeding, tube selection, and ongoing care.
• Symptom Management strategies for handling dry mouth, constipation, and loss of appetite.
• Family & Caregiver Education workshops and onetoone sessions to equip loved ones with practical skills.
• Regular Monitoring quarterly reviews, weight tracking, and adjustments based on disease progression.

All services are provided free of charge to patients referred through the NHS, with supplemental private options available for those seeking extra support.

Our Expert Team

OANCs strength lies in its collaborative approach. The core team includes:

• Dr. Emily Harrington, MD Consultant Neurologist, specialist in motor neuron disease.
• Prof. James Albright, PhD Clinical Nutrition Scientist, leads the research program.
• Sarah Patel, RDN Registered Dietitian, primary clinical contact for patients.
• Toms Garca, SLP SpeechLanguage Pathologist, assesses and supports swallowing safety.
• Olivia Bennett, RN Nurse Specialist, coordinates care pathways and patient followup.

Each member brings a unique perspective, ensuring that every aspect of nutritional healthfrom metabolic demands to practical feeding techniquesis addressed.

Research & Clinical Trials

OANC actively contributes to the global understanding of nutrition in ALS. Current research projects include:

• HighCalorie, HighProtein Interventions a randomized controlled trial examining whether targeted nutritional supplementation can slow functional decline.
• Microbiome & ALS exploring how gut flora influences inflammation and disease progression.
• TeleNutrition Feasibility evaluating remote monitoring tools for patients living in rural areas.

Findings are regularly published in peerreviewed journals and presented at international conferences, reinforcing Oxfords reputation as a leader in ALS nutrition science.

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