Source: KY3 TV
Since so many of our friends and relatives are impacted by this I felt it was worth making available on the site.
9:39 p.m. CST, November 17, 2011
Millions of people in the U-S live with Alzheimer's disease
or watch a loved one suffer from it. Researchers are looking at a prescription shake
that may ease some symptoms.
At 93, Teresa Alfonzo has seen and done a lot. But because of a devastating diagnosis 10 years ago, she's now fighting to keep her most precious possession -- her memories. "We started noticing she couldn't take care of herself," said Teresa’s son.
The Alfonzos are one of 35-million families dealing with the devastating effects of Alzheimer's Disease. A few months ago, Teresa's ability to remember the most basic skills started to go. She couldn't even draw a clock.
That's when the Alfonzos decided to try something new. Teresa started on Axona -- a medical shake regulated by the F-D-A. Alzheimer's patients lose the ability to use glucose in the blood. Two hours after drinking Axona, it's converted into ketone bodies that circulate to the brain and produce energy. “Ketone bodies are the only things, aside from sugar, your brain can use as food," said Dr. Richard Isaacson. In a 90-day, double blind study of 152 Alzheimer's patients, 77 took Axona. 45-percent of them showed signs of improvement after 45 days. While it doesn't work for everyone, Dr. Isaacson says it's worth a shot. According to the doctor, "you have at least a 40 to 45 percent chance of having this medical food work, in my opinion, 40 percent is a lot higher than zero." After three months on Axona, Teresa went from scribbling numbers in a box…to drawing what’s obviously a clock. Her daughter says, "it's a blessing really. It's a huge progress."
Axona is a prescription medical food. The F-D-A does not approve medical foods, but they do regulate them. It costs 70 dollars to 90 dollars for a 30-day supply. Doctor Isaacson says a genetic test can actually help figure out if Axona will be of benefit to patients.
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