Fresh research has uncovered striking disparities between men and women suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, with female patients displaying substantially reduced concentrations of omega fatty acids in their bloodstream.
Scientists discovered that women diagnosed with the condition exhibited levels of unsaturated fats up to a fifth lower than their healthy counterparts, while male patients showed no such reduction.
“The difference between the sexes was the most shocking and unexpected finding,” said Dr Cristina Legido-Quigley, a senior author on the study at King’s College London, published in the Alzheimer’s & Dementia journal.
The findings suggest fundamental variations in how the disease manifests across genders.
Lipids like omega-3 fatty acids feed the brain
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The investigation examined blood samples from 841 individuals, including 306 diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, 165 experiencing mild cognitive decline, and 370 cognitively healthy participants.
Researchers discovered that female Alzheimer’s patients possessed elevated saturated lipid concentrations alongside diminished unsaturated lipid levels when contrasted with cognitively intact women.
This distinctive profile was absent in male subjects with the disease.
Dr Legido-Quigley suggested that metabolic or hepatic alterations might prevent omega fatty acids from reaching women’s brains effectively. “And these lipids feed the brain,” she added.
The condition affects women at double the rate of men, with various factors, including longevity, hormonal variations, immunological responses, and educational access, potentially contributing to this disparity.
Specialists are urging women to boost their consumption of omega fatty acids through dietary sources, with Dr Legido-Quigley emphasising that females should take particular care to obtain sufficient quantities of these nutrients.
“There’s an indication that having less of these compounds could be causal in Alzheimer’s, but we need a clinical trial to confirm that,” she noted.
The researcher advocates for targeted clinical studies examining whether supplementation might postpone Alzheimer’s onset in women displaying reduced unsaturated fatty acid concentrations.
She indicated that these reductions might begin emerging when women reach their fifties, suggesting the importance of early dietary intervention.
Three primary omega-3 fatty acids exist: ALA, DHA and EPA. Plant-based sources, including chia seeds, flaxseed and walnuts, provide ALA, whilst fish predominantly supply DHA and EPA.
Female patients display reduced concentrations of omega fatty acids
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The NHS advises consuming two 140-gram portions of fish weekly, ensuring one consists of oily varieties to obtain adequate DHA and EPA.
Dr Julia Dudley at Alzheimer’s Research UK, which co-funded the research, stressed the necessity for further investigation into the underlying mechanisms of these gender disparities.
“Understanding how the disease works differently in women could help doctors tailor future treatments and health advice,” she stated.
Previous research from 2022 demonstrated that middle-aged individuals with elevated omega-3 blood concentrations exhibited superior cognitive performance compared to those with lower levels.
