Omega 3 Fatty Acids Assessment

The Omega-3 Index Plus Test measures fatty acid levels in the blood and reports omega-3, omega-6, AA:EPA Ratio and trans fat blood levels.  The Omega-3 Index, Trans Fat Index, Omega-6/Omega-3 ratio and AA/EPA ratio all can be changed by what you eat. But everyone responds differently to dietary changes, so the only way to know is to test. We recommend testing every 4-6 months to confirm you are getting the right mix of fats in your diet. Omega 3 Index: The Omega-3 Index test measures the amount of EPA and DHA in your blood, specifically the red blood cell membrane. Membranes, or cell walls, are made of different kinds of fats called fatty acids. We have found that having a higher proportion of EPA and DHA in the membrane tracks with how much omega-3 is in your diet and is a marker of better health. Raising your Omega-3 Index to the desirable zone of 8% will help ensure you are getting enough of the right omega-3s — EPA and DHA — to protect your health. Trans Fat Index: The Trans Fat Index measures the trans fats from industrial production and should be below 1%. Omega-6:Omega-3 Ratio: The Omega-6/Omega-3 ratio analyzes 7 omega-6 fatty acids and 4 omega-3 fatty acids. The total amount of omega-6s and omega-3s are divided by each other to get a ratio. We recommend a ratio of 3-5:1 (omega-6:omega-3). AA:EPA Ratio: The AA/EPA ratio is your level of arachidonic acid (AA), an omega-6 fatty acid, vs. eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), an omega-3 fatty acid. These are important fatty acids in metabolism because powerful signaling molecules can be made from them. These molecules can affect anything from blood clotting to birth contractions to inflammatory responses. Having different levels of these two fatty acids could affect processes that ultimately impact inflammation and overall health.