Fatty Fish May Help Prevent Alzheimer’s in Women

A study has indicated that consuming fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, and sardines might be beneficial in reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s disease in women.

Researchers from King’s College London analyzed blood samples from 841 individuals, among whom 306 had Alzheimer’s. They observed a significant decrease in unsaturated fats, particularly omega fatty acids, in the blood of women diagnosed with Alzheimer’s compared to healthy women.

Interestingly, there was no discernible difference in these fat levels among men, whether they had Alzheimer’s or not.

The findings could enhance our understanding of why women are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s more frequently than men.

The study was published in the journal Alzheimer’s and Dementia, and suggests that women might protect themselves from Alzheimer’s by increasing their omega-3 intake, either through fatty fish or daily supplements.

Cristina Legido-Quigley, a senior author of the study at King’s College London, noted, “Women are disproportionately affected by Alzheimer’s, particularly after the age of 80.” She also pointed out that one surprising observation was the lack of variation in lipid levels among men, which contrasts sharply with women.

“This study highlights that the lipid biology related to Alzheimer’s varies by sex, opening new research opportunities. It suggests that women should ensure they are incorporating omega fatty acids into their diets,” she added.

However, she emphasized that clinical trials are necessary to determine whether altering lipid composition can actually affect the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.

Alzheimer’s disease is the top cause of dementia, currently impacting around a million people in the UK, with about two-thirds being women.

Asger Wretlind, the first author of the study, stated, “Although more research is needed, we managed to identify biological differences in lipids between the sexes in a large cohort. This is significant as it underscores the importance of omega-containing lipids in the blood.”

He also mentioned that they are investigating how early these changes occur in women.

Julia Dudley, head of research at Alzheimer’s Research UK, which co-funded the study, remarked that with two-thirds of dementia patients being women in the UK, this could relate to longer life spans or other factors like social isolation and hormonal changes. She pointed out that while the study shows lower levels of certain unsaturated fats in women with Alzheimer’s, further research is essential to unpack the mechanisms behind this and the potential impact of lifestyle changes.

In another study from Hong Kong, published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology, researchers discovered that higher omega-3 fatty acid intake was linked to a lower likelihood of short-sightedness in children, based on data covering 1,005 children aged six to eight, focusing on their eyesight and diet.