The most unexpected difference between men and women: Fatty acids do not reach the brain

The study, led by King's College London in the UK and published in the journal Alzheimer's & Dementia, analyzed blood samples from Alzheimer's patients and healthy individuals. The study included 306 Alzheimer's patients, 165 individuals with mild cognitive impairment, and 370 healthy individuals.

'IT WAS OUR MOST UNEXPECTED FINDING'

“This difference between men and women was our most striking and unexpected finding,” said Dr. Cristina Legido-Quigley, the study’s senior author, emphasizing that there may be a causal link between low omega-3 levels and Alzheimer’s, but a clinical trial is needed to clarify this.

The study found that women with Alzheimer's disease had higher levels of saturated fat and lower levels of unsaturated fat (especially omega fatty acids) in their blood. This pattern was not observed in men. Unsaturated fats are among the healthy fats generally associated with brain health.

Legido-Quigley noted that if this change stems from the liver or metabolism, fewer omega fatty acids may reach women's brains. "These fats nourish the brain," she said.

TWICE AS COMMON IN WOMEN

Alzheimer's disease is twice as common in women as in men. Experts say this difference may be due to factors such as women's longer lifespan, hormonal and immune system differences, and historically limited educational opportunities.

Diets rich in omega-3 fatty acids, particularly the Mediterranean diet, have long been linked to heart and brain health. A 2022 study found that individuals with higher blood levels of omega-3s in middle age had better cognitive function.

However, some clinical trials have shown that omega-3 supplements do not improve cognitive function in individuals diagnosed with dementia. Therefore, Legido-Quigley argues that a dedicated trial is needed to determine whether omega fatty acids have a protective effect against Alzheimer's, particularly in women.