Recent research suggests that omega fatty acids may play a protective role against Alzheimer’s disease in women. Scientists investigating lipid profiles in the blood have found that women living with Alzheimer’s show a marked reduction in unsaturated fats – particularly those containing omega fatty acids – when compared with cognitively healthy women. These fats are vital for brain health, and their depletion could help explain why women are disproportionately affected by Alzheimer’s disease. In contrast, men with the condition showed no significant difference in the same lipid molecules compared to their healthy counterparts, suggesting a sex-specific role of lipids in the disease.
The study, published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association by researchers at King’s College London and Queen Mary University London, represents the first large-scale evidence that lipid biology could influence Alzheimer’s differently in men and women. The team analysed plasma samples from 841 participants, including those with Alzheimer’s, mild cognitive impairment, and cognitively healthy individuals. Using mass spectrometry, they examined around 700 lipid molecules in the blood, finding a pronounced rise in saturated fats – often labelled as “unhealthy” – in women with Alzheimer’s. In contrast, the beneficial omega-rich lipids were significantly reduced.
Senior author Dr Cristina Legido-Quigley highlighted the significance of this discovery. Alzheimer’s disease disproportionately impacts women, and they are more often diagnosed with the condition than men after the age of 80. One of the most surprising findings was the stark difference between the sexes: in men, there was no discernible difference in lipid levels between the healthy and cognitively impaired groups, whereas in women, the difference was clear. These results suggest that the biology of Alzheimer’s is shaped differently by sex, opening up new directions for future research.”
The researchers emphasise that while their analysis points to a statistical link between omega fatty acids and Alzheimer’s disease in women, clinical trials are needed before dietary interventions can be formally recommended. Nevertheless, Dr Legido-Quigley noted that women may wish to ensure they are obtaining adequate omega fatty acids through sources such as fatty fish or supplements. Establishing whether modifying lipid intake could influence the disease’s biological trajectory is a critical next step.
First author Dr Asger Wretlind added that these findings underscore a crucial biological difference that has long been overlooked. “Scientists have known for years that more women than men are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. In this study, we demonstrated biological differences in lipid composition between the sexes in a large cohort, a finding that has not been previously reported. The results are striking, and our next question is how early in life these changes emerge in women and whether interventions at that stage could alter long-term risk.”
Alzheimer’s Research UK also welcomed the study, noting its importance for understanding the gendered dimensions of dementia. Dr Julia Dudley, Head of Research at the charity, pointed out that two-thirds of people with dementia in the UK are women, which may reflect a combination of longevity, hormonal changes, and social or educational factors. She cautioned that more work is required to unravel the mechanisms behind lipid differences and to test whether lifestyle changes, including diet, can alter disease risk. She also emphasised the importance of including more ethnically diverse participants in future studies. As she explained, “Understanding how the disease works differently in women could help tailor future treatments and health advice. This research is an important step towards that goal.”
More information: Cristina Legido-Quigley et al, Lipid profiling reveals unsaturated lipid reduction in women with Alzheimer’s disease, Alzheimer’s & Dementia. DOI: 10.1002/alz.70512
Journal information: Alzheimer’s & Dementia Provided by King’s College London
