Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, a brain condition that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills.
It affects millions of people around the world, and women are more likely to develop it than men.
Scientists have long wondered why women face a higher risk, and a new study suggests that fats in the blood, especially omega fatty acids, could play a big role.
Fats, or lipids, are not only stored energy in the body. They are also important for keeping the brain working properly. The human brain is made up of nearly 60 percent fat, and certain types of fats help build brain cells and support communication between them.
There are two main kinds of fats: saturated fats, which are often called ‘unhealthy,’ and unsaturated fats, which are generally considered ‘healthy.’
Omega fatty acids belong to the unsaturated group and are found in foods such as salmon, tuna, walnuts, and flaxseeds. These fats are known for supporting heart health, but this new research shows they may also protect the brain.
Researchers from King’s College London and Queen Mary University London studied blood samples from 841 people. The participants included people with Alzheimer’s disease, people with mild memory problems, and people with healthy brains.
Using advanced laboratory tools, the scientists measured around 700 different types of fats in the blood. They wanted to see whether there were clear differences between people with and without Alzheimer’s.
The results were surprising. For men, there was no big difference in the levels of healthy and unhealthy fats between those with Alzheimer’s and those without. But for women, the story was very different. Women with Alzheimer’s had far fewer omega fatty acids and other unsaturated fats in their blood compared to healthy women.
At the same time, they had more saturated fats, which are considered less healthy. This suggests that the way fats affect the brain may depend on sex, and it could help explain why women face a higher risk of the disease.
Dr. Cristina Legido-Quigley, one of the senior authors of the study, explained that after the age of 80, women are more often diagnosed with Alzheimer’s than men. She said that the new findings reveal how fat biology in the brain seems to work differently for men and women, and this could open the door to new ways of studying the disease.
Another author, Dr. Asger Wretlind, said the results show how important lipids containing omega fatty acids are for women and that this had not been shown in such detail before.
The study also raises the question of whether diet could help lower the risk. Omega fatty acids are often recommended for a healthy heart, but now they may also be important for protecting memory and thinking skills, especially in women.
Some doctors suggest that women should make sure to eat enough foods with omega fatty acids or consider supplements.
However, the researchers caution that more clinical trials are needed before any strong recommendations can be made. Just because the study shows a link does not mean that taking omega fatty acids will directly prevent or treat Alzheimer’s disease.
Experts from Alzheimer’s Research UK also commented on the study. They pointed out that two out of three people with dementia in the UK are women. This could be partly because women live longer than men, but other factors such as hormones, education levels, and social conditions may also play a role.
They said the study highlights how important it is to understand how Alzheimer’s disease might work differently in women, and that future research should include people from more diverse backgrounds.
This research is an important step forward. It shows that the fats in our blood may give us clues about brain health, and that men and women may not be affected in the same way.
While the study does not prove that omega fatty acids can stop Alzheimer’s, it strongly suggests they matter more for women. If future trials confirm these findings, doctors may one day recommend more personalized advice based on sex, including tailored diets or treatments.
In short, this study tells us that eating foods rich in omega fatty acids may not only support heart health but could also be key in protecting women’s brains as they age. For now, it gives hope that understanding fats better may bring us closer to finding ways to lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
If you care about brain health, please read studies about Scientists find connection between fungus and Alzheimer’s disease and findings of Scientists find links between COVID-19 and Alzheimer’s disease.
For more about Alzheimer’s disease, please read studies about Research shows root cause of Alzheimer’s disease and new treatment and findings of Scientists find the link between eye disease glaucoma and Alzheimer’s disease.
The study is published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia.
