The gold standard in GA1 management is a low protein diet that includes a special nutritional supplement, L-carnitine supplements, and following a management plan during illness. If this regimen is started at a very early age and followed strictly, especially for the first six years of life, people diagnosed with GA1 can grow and develop to their full potential.
If GA1 is not well-managed, GAs can build up and cause damage to an area of the brain called the basal ganglia that controls movement. This can cause brain damage and permanently affect things like muscle control and swallowing, which can have a big impact on the way a person lives, and can even shorten life expectancy.
In adults and teenagers, a build up of GAs may still cause neurological problems and issues with movement, and scientists think it may play a role in other problems like kidney disease. Staying on diet for life is the way to be at your best if you have GA1.