Tag Archives: Fatty

Omega Fatty Acids May Help Safeguard Women Against Alzheimer’s Disease

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Recent studies indicate that the link between different lipids and Alzheimer’s disease is particularly significant for women, often absent in men.

wretlind et al. The research focuses on gender-specific lipids associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Image credit: Wretlind et al, doi: 10.1002/alz.70512.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a severe neurodegenerative condition that is increasingly impacting people globally.

Women experience a disproportionate prevalence of AD, comprising about two-thirds of all diagnosed cases.

“Women face a higher risk of AD and are often diagnosed with the condition more frequently than men post-80 years of age,” stated Dr. Christina Legidokigley, a researcher at King’s College London.

“One of the most striking findings I noticed when examining gender differences was that healthy men and those perceived as healthy did not show variations in these lipids, whereas the situation was markedly different for women.”

“This study highlights that lipid biology in AD varies by gender and opens new avenues for investigation.”

The researchers analyzed plasma samples from 841 individuals with AD, mild cognitive impairment, and those in cognitive health, measuring brain inflammation and damage.

Utilizing mass spectrometry, they examined 700 distinct lipids in the bloodstream. Lipids comprise a diverse group of molecules.

Saturated lipids are typically deemed “unhealthy,” in contrast to unsaturated lipids that contain omega fatty acids, which are often labeled as “healthy.”

Researchers observed a substantial increase in saturated lipids among women diagnosed with Alzheimer’s compared to those in the healthy group—deemed “unhealthy lipids.”

Conversely, lipids with omega fatty acids were found to be significantly diminished in those with Alzheimer’s.

“Our findings suggest that women should ensure they are incorporating omega fatty acids into their diets.”

“However, clinical trials are crucial to determine whether changes in lipid composition can influence the biological progression of AD.”

“It has been known for some time that more women than men are diagnosed with AD,” remarks Dr. Asgaretlin, also from King’s College London.

“This remains an area for further exploration, but we managed to identify biological differences in lipids across genders in extensive cohorts and underline the significance of omega-containing lipids in the blood, which has not been previously demonstrated.”

“The results are quite striking, illustrating how these changes manifest early in life among women.”

This study was published today in Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia: Journal of the Alzheimer’s Disease Association.

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Asger Wretlind et al. 2025. Lipid profiling uncovers reductions in unsaturated lipids among women with Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia 21(8): E70512; doi: 10.1002/alz.70512

Source: www.sci.news

Research Indicates Omega-6 Fatty Acids Do Not Elevate Inflammation Markers

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In an extensive community-based investigation, researchers from the Fatty Acid Institute identified a weak yet statistically significant inverse relationship between various inflammatory biomarkers and omega-6 fatty acids.

This image features Oenothera biennis, plants that produce oils with a high linolenic acid content. Image credit: Georg Slickers/CC by-sa 4.0.

“Chronic inflammation is acknowledged as a significant risk factor for various health disorders,” stated President William Harris of the Fatty Acid Institute and his colleagues.

“Omega-6 fatty acids, especially linoleic acid (LA) and arachidonic acid (AA), have been identified as either anti-inflammatory or pro-inflammatory agents. Researchers have considered both positions regarding dietary intake.”

The researchers utilized data from the Framingham Offspring study, a prominent cohort study in the Boston region.

This groundbreaking longitudinal research initiative began in 1971 and follows children from the original Framingham Heart Study, examining genetic and lifestyle factors influencing cardiovascular and metabolic health.

It has yielded valuable insights into chronic disease risks and prevention for decades, establishing itself as one of the most dependable sources for understanding long-term health trends.

This investigation is cross-sectional, meaning LA and AA levels were evaluated alongside 2,700 inflammation-related biomarkers in the same blood samples.

We statistically analyzed the association between the levels of these two omega-6 fatty acids and the levels of 10 blood and urine biomarkers related to inflammation and oxidative stress.

After statistically controlling for several potential confounding variables (such as age, race, gender, smoking status, blood pressure, and weight), researchers discovered that elevated LA levels were significantly linked to lower levels of five out of the 10 biomarkers.

For AA, higher levels were associated with reduced concentrations of four markers; however, there was no statistically significant relationship with higher inflammation/oxidation levels, unlike LA.

“These new findings clearly indicate that individuals with the highest LA (and AA) levels in their blood exhibit less inflammation than those with lower levels,” Dr. Harris remarked.

“This result contradicts the expectation if omega-6 fatty acids were deemed ‘pro-inflammatory.’ In fact, they seem to exhibit anti-inflammatory properties.”

“Amidst discussions in the media about the dangers of seed oils—the primary source of LA in diets—numerous voices advocate for reducing LA consumption.”

“This recommendation lacks a scientific basis, and this study, along with others, suggests the opposite: rather than decreasing LA intake, increasing it may be the healthier choice.”

“These findings diverge from the prevailing narrative but are consistent with earlier studies.”

“Numerous studies within medical literature support the findings presented here.”

The study was published in the journal Nutrients on June 22nd.

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Heidi T.M. Lai et al. 2025. Erythrocyte omega-6 fatty acids and biomarkers of inflammation in the Framingham offspring study. Nutrients 17 (13): 2076; doi: 10.3390/nu17132076

Source: www.sci.news

Medications Similar to Wegovy Show Effectiveness in Treating Fatty Liver Disease

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Fatty liver disease can lead to cirrhosis and cancer

3dmedisphere/shutterstoc k

Currently, common medications used for treating obesity and diabetes are showing promise in combating life-threatening liver diseases.

Semaglutide, marketed under names like Ozempic and Wegovi, mimics the hormone GLP-1, which aids in weight loss and regulates blood sugar levels, helps suppress appetite, and promotes insulin secretion. Researchers have now found that this drug therapy can halt or even reverse a condition known as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH).

“This could offer a groundbreaking way to manage this condition,” says Philip Newsom from King’s College London. “It’s incredibly promising for patients.”

MASH, formerly known as NASH, is a severe version of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease marked by inflammation, fibrosis (scar tissue formation), and excessive liver fat accumulation, occasionally leading to cirrhosis and cancer. MASH is commonly linked to obesity and often coexists with type 2 diabetes.

A study conducted in 2020 involving 320 participants revealed that daily semaglutide injections led to a reduction in liver fat and inflammation in 59% of those with MASH. However, a more recent investigation involving 71 patients found no benefits from the weekly dosage.

For a broader perspective, Newsom and Arun Sanyal from Virginia Commonwealth University initiated a larger trial involving 1,195 MASH patients across 253 clinical sites in 37 countries. Participants averaged 56 years old with a body mass index of 34.6, and about 50% had type 2 diabetes.

The physician prescribed each participant a weekly semaglutide injection for four and a half years, gradually increasing the dose to 2.4 milligrams over the first four months, mirroring those used in Wegovy based on prior test findings. Participants also received lifestyle counseling to encourage a healthier diet and exercise.

While the full study is ongoing, results from biopsies taken 72 weeks later revealed that among the first 800 patients, including 266 receiving a placebo, 62.9% of those on semaglutide showed significant reductions in liver fat and inflammation, compared to 34.3% in the placebo group. Improvements in fibrosis were observed in 36.8% of the treatment group versus only 22.4% for the placebo group. About one-third of all treated patients and 16.1% of placebo patients experienced these benefits.

Weight loss alone could explain some of these improvements, as patients in the treatment cohort lost an average of 10.5% of their body weight, while those on the placebo lost only 2%. Although further research is needed to fully uncover the mechanisms behind the treatment, it may also directly target the processes driving the disease.

“It’s not yet established, but part of the efficacy of GLP-1-like drugs might be due to their effects on immune cells and reduction of inflammation,” notes Newsom.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Study suggests ellagic acid as a promising dietary option for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

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Ellagic acid is a polyphenolic, non-flavonoid compound found naturally in a variety of fruits, including pomegranates, raspberries, strawberries, and grapes, as well as nuts, including pistachios, pecans, walnuts, and acorns.

Senavirasna othersResearchers are investigating the effects of ellagic acid, an antioxidant found in pomegranates, raspberries, strawberries, grapes and nuts, in preventing and potentially reversing the damage caused by fatty liver disease. Image courtesy of Engin Akyurt.

Obesity is epidemic in many parts of the world and contributes to increasing rates of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

This rapidly expanding epidemic is the most common chronic liver disease worldwide.

The prevalence of NAFLD increased from 25.24% in 2015 to 29.38% in 2021.

NAFLD represents a range of pathologies from simple fatty liver (nonalcoholic fatty liver, NAFL) to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which can progress to more severe conditions including fibrosis.

Currently, no cure exists for the long-term management of NAFLD/NASH, but dietary interventions containing several polyphenolic compounds have been investigated for the treatment of NASH. Ellagic acid is one such compound.

“Ellagic acid, found in a variety of foods including raspberries, pomegranates, blackberries and pecans, is widely known for its antioxidant properties but has also demonstrated anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrotic and anti-cancer properties,” said researcher Lois Balmer and doctoral student Tarani Senaviratna, both from Edith Cowan University.

“Ellagic acid stands out as a remarkable polyphenolic compound with a wide range of pharmacological properties that may be promising for the treatment of various chronic diseases, including NAFLD.”

“Edible plants containing ellagic acid and its derivatives are recognized as valuable functional foods that promote human health due to their pleiotropic biological effects.”

“Furthermore, evidence suggests that ellagic acid may exert synergistic therapeutic effects when combined with other antioxidant dietary supplements, making it a potential candidate for combination therapy.”

The authors were involved in a previous pilot study investigating the effects of several polyphenolic compounds on NAFLD, with ellagic acid showing the most promise in reducing inflammation.

“Ellagic acid exerts its hepatoprotective properties mainly through scavenging free radicals, modulating cytokine production, and regulating lipid metabolism,” the researchers said.

“Ellagic acid, a potent antioxidant, combats reactive oxygen species (ROS) and activates the NrF2 pathway to reduce oxidative stress and protect the liver.”

“Surprisingly, ellagic acid also inhibits the Nf-kB and MAPK pathways, reducing inflammation during NAFLD/NASH.”

“Evidence also shows that ellagic acid can lower both triglyceride and cholesterol levels and combat de novo lipogenesis, a significant risk factor in the progression of NASH.”

“Test-tube findings suggest that ellagic acid has the ability to reduce fibrosis.”

“Urolithins, the main microbial metabolites of ellagic acid, have been shown to improve the gut microbiota in several mouse models of obesity.”

“Specifically, Urolithin A has been shown to lower LDL and increase HDL levels and is also involved in improving lipid metabolism through gene regulation, while Urolithin C activates the hepatic AMPK pathway, countering the pathophysiology of NAFLD.”

“While the health benefits of ellagic acid and urolithins in NAFLD/NASH are being debated, their biological effects on the liver are still poorly understood.”

“Given that lipid metabolism, oxidative stress, inflammation, and insulin resistance play a role in the development of NASH, the results of this review suggest that ellagic acid may be a potential dietary intervention for NASH, potentially suppressing and even reversing the pathological symptoms of NAFLD/NASH.”

of study Published in the journal Antioxidants.

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Tarani Senavilasna others2024. Elucidation of the therapeutic effects of ellagic acid on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Antioxidants 13(4):485; doi:10.3390/antiox13040485

Source: www.sci.news

Achieving the Perfect Ratio of Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fatty Acids in Your Diet

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Linda Steward/Getty Images

The advice is the same no matter where you look. If you want to reduce your risk of heart disease, obesity, cancer, and all sorts of other health problems, you should reduce butter and the “bad” saturated fats found in it. Red meat or processed meat. Instead, you should consume “good” polyunsaturated fats. This means cooking with vegetable oil and focusing on leafy vegetables, fatty fish, and nuts and seeds. Simple.

Nothing is ever simple, except in nutrition. In this case, the complication arises from the growing recognition that not all “good” fats are created equal. Specifically, while omega-3 fatty acids are certainly good for us, omega-6 fatty acids may actually be damaging to our health.

The idea that the balance of omega in the foods we eat can affect our health is well established. Additionally, while the typical Western diet has become increasingly high in omega-6s and low in omega-3s over the past 50 years, at the same time the incidence of diseases associated with excessive inflammation has skyrocketed. It is also clear that These include heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

All this has led to the argument that in addition to increasing the amount of omega-3 in the diet, we also need to reduce the intake of omega-6. But correlation is not causation. So can consuming too much omega-6, which has long been thought to be beneficial, really be bad for you? If so, what foods should I eat more or less of to optimize…

Source: www.newscientist.com