Older women have a higher risk of Alzheimer’s than men and researchers may have found one reason why. It seems that the disease causes could be different in men and women. Essentially, researchers have found that women had much lower levels of the essential fatty acids in their blood.
For women, the disease seems to be associated with a dramatic drop of omega fatty acids, and this also suggests that taking omega-3 supplements and eating plenty of fatty fish could be important ways to prevent it.
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The same isn’t true for men, say researchers at King’s College London, which suggests the disease has different characteristics in males and females.
The researchers analysed blood samples from 841 women with Alzheimer’s disease and mild cognitive impairment, who were compared to healthy women for signs of inflammation and brain damage.
The women with Alzheimer’s had a dramatic loss of unsaturated fat molecules compared to healthy women. The phenomenon wasn’t seen in samples taken from men.
As Alzheimer’s disproportionately affects women over the age of 80, it’s imperative that they start supplementing and eating more fish, the researchers say.
That’s interesting isn’t it? And relatively easily solved.
It doesn’t surprise me, to be honest. When I was writing the Hormone Plan, I realised just how much post-menopausal women have a raw deal, with loads of things changing that promotes higher inflammation. Bit depressing, to be honest.
The essential fatty acids form prostaglandins, which control inflammation and, since we know that Alzheimer’s and cognitive impairment is at least partly inflammatory, it would make sense that, if the balance was out, there was more risk.
Here’s some of the section on EFAs for you:
Essential Fatty Acids
Me!
We talked earlier about the importance of getting the balance of essential fatty acids right, especially if you have pain or cramping, or mood disorders related to your hormones. They are also really crucial in puberty, menstruation, peri and post menopause/andropause, so right across the board, really.
You will have heard of omega 6, 3, 9 etc – they are converted into prostaglandins which have hormone-like effects, and it is the balance of these that can really affect inflammation, especially. Some of them are anti-inflammatory and others are pro-inflammatory; it’s the balance between them that is crucial.
Source: Kharrazian Institute
You must have enough of the w6, 3, 9 and arachidonic from animal foods to make the various prostaglandins for hormone metabolism. Might be out of balance because of diet or genetic issues on the various pathways, but, whichever, you will need to correct/offset it. If the prostaglandins are out, you’re just going to get more cramping, pain and inflammation.
I generally like to give a really good balance of all of these to start with – and you can get enough through diet. Arachidonic is the main pro-inflammatory source – you need some, but not too much. In certain cases, where people have chronic inflammation, they can be shifting all their omega 6 to arachidonic acid and the balance has gone wrong. Note, too, that partially-hydrogenated fats are not good as they can really throw hormone balance out – get them out of your diet.
If you’re not sure, use a balanced supplement – which most of them are not! My fave is OmegAvail. If that doesn’t sort things for you, or you need to see what your actual balance of EFAs is, I would test – red blood cell testing is best if poss. See here.
So, if Alzheimer’s is in your family history, I would test so you can take a targeted protocol. Ditto if you already have cognitive loss – everyone has some, of course, but if you are concerned, test and talk to your GP, always.
If in doubt, eat a balance of EFA rich foods, especially the omega 3 and Omega 9, which are the most anti-inflammatory or take the OmegAvail.
BONUS TIP: many fatty acid and oil supplements are not made well and can be rancid, causing more harm than good. A good way to check them is to bite into one and see how it tastes – bitter or rancid is not fresh!
For more info and some suggested tests and treatments, see my Brain factsheet here.