What's the Buzz on Axona and Dementia?

Understanding Axona and Dementia

Treatment of Mild to Moderate Alzheimer’s

Axona is a prescription medical food that is used to treat mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease. It addresses the energy deficits in the brain and provides an alternative source of energy.

First let’s look at how Alzheimer’s affects the brain. A healthy human brain relies on glucose exclusively as a source of energy. In Alzheimer’s disease, science has shown there is a dramatic drop in the metabolizing of this glucose. Axona, regulated by the FDA, addresses the energy reduction by providing another source of energy.

In clinical trials it has been noted that taking Axona has improved cognitive impairment in 45 days. It is only available by prescription and requires supervision of a physician.

What is a medical food?

Medical food is a product that has been developed for the clinical dietary management of a specific disease or condition, which has nutritional requirements. Criteria for a medical food includes: a special formulation for oral or enteral ingestion, It is developed for specific medical disorder or disease for which there are very distinctive nutritional requirements, it can only be used under a physician’s supervision, and must comply with FDA regulations and guidelines. The manufacturers all the medical foods are able to make medical claims regarding specific diseases.

What Medical food is not:

A vitamin or a dietary supplement; Dietary supplements are sometimes called nutraceuticals. Manufacturers of nutraceuticals are not able to make claims regarding disease or drugs. Nutraceuticals are sold over-the-counter or online and does not require a prescription or supervision by a physician.

More on Axona and Dementia….

How does Axona work?

In Alzheimer’s disease it has been discovered there is a decline in the metabolic rate of glucose. This low rate has been identified to occur in early disease process of Alzheimer’s. It is known as hypo metabolism. Decreased glucose leads to decrease levels of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), important for the synapses to communicate to one another.

In order to address hypo metabolism in the brain research studies show but there must be new induction of a process called ketosis. Ketones are normally produced by the liver when there is little to no glucose available. This can occur during fasting or under the use of ketogenic diets. Ketones serve an important function in that they provide an alternative fuel for the brain during conditions of low glucose. Ketones convert to ATP and provide the necessary energy to improve the communication between the neurons.

Axona is a powder and is available in individual packets. You can receive a starter kit from your physician. This is taken with 8 ounces of water at breakfast or lunch, whichever is larger meal for you. When starting Axona, you increase the dosage gradually over a period of a week. On the eighth day, and beyond, you should be at the full dose.

Axona, should be used with caution in individuals at risk for ketoacidosis, or have gastrointestinal disorders, renal dysfunction, uncontrolled diabetes, and metabolic syndrome.

Discuss with your physician if this is the right medical food for your care-receivers present condition.

Here is a link to a caregivers and her family members response to using Coconut Oil