Omega-3 Index Complete Test

GENERAL

Many studies have shown that people with higher (vs. lower) omega-3 index levels are at decreased risk for a variety of diseases. These include heart disease, stroke, dementia, and depression to name a few. These people even live longer than those with lower levels. Raising your omega-3 index and keeping it up should help reduce your risk these conditions. Omega-3 fatty acids are found primarily in fish, especially “oily” fish such as those near the top in the accompanying table.

The two most important omega-3 fatty acids are EPA and DHA. It should be noted that omega-3 fatty acids from flaxseed oil (alpha-linolenic acid, or ALA) will have little to no effect on your omega-3 index. Therefore, ALA is not an effective substitute for EPA and DHA. To make sure your Omega-3 Index remains in the target range you should re-check it every six months.

FATTY ACID BENEFITS (EPA, DHA, GLA)

• Lowers LDL and increases HDL cholesterol; decreases blood clotting time

• Anti-arrhythmic, anti-inflammatory effect that benefits heart tissue

• Structural in brain and retinal tissue; improves learning and memory

• Critical in fetal and infant development

• Improves hyperactivity in children and depression in adults

• Treatment for autoimmune disorders, kidney disease, PMS, RA, MS

• Improves skin integrity

INCLUDED IN THE TEST REPORT

• Full 24 Fatty Acid Profile

• Omega-3 Index

• Trans Fat Index

• Omega-6/Omega-3 ratio

• AA/EPA ratio

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Flax seed oil as source of ALA from which EPA and DHA are synthesized

• Fish oil or cod liver oil as direct sources of EPA and DHA

• Evening primrose oil, borage oil or black currant oil as source of GLA if insufficiently synthesized

• Hemp oil as source of both ALA and GLA

Confused about Good Fats Bad Fats and What kind of Fats you should be eating?

If you are confused about the conflicting opinions and myths about dietary fat, you are not alone. One thing is clear: the type and amount of dietary fat that you eat or don’t eat can affect your health in profound ways. Because Essential fatty acids play such an important role in health, we believe it is important to understand where your levels fall, especially if you suffer with problems such as inflammation, Neurological problems, mood disorders, joint disorders and problems with focus and memory. In 2012, over 18.8 million Americans supplemented their diet with Omega 3’s.  While this may sound like a great idea, taking too much fish oil (omega 3’s) can have the same consequences of non taking them at all.

Fatty acid profiling of your blood plasma or red blood cells reveals where different food consumption is needed to allow your body to function well.

What are fatty acids and why do I need them in my diet?

Fatty acids are the fats we obtain from our diet. They may be monounsaturated, polyunsaturated or saturated. Fatty acids are found in oils and other fats that make up different foods. Fat is necessary for cell membranes, nerve coverings, hormone production, vitamin absorption and more. Most of us get a lot of fat in our diet, but it usually is not the type of fat we should be getting.

Why should I use the Fatty Acids Profile?

The Fatty Acid Profile shows the balance of fats and metabolites in plasma. Your overall balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fats is represented by measurement of acid ratios.

Balanced fatty acid levels are essential for optimal health. Fatty acid profiles are also an ideal way to track progress or response to a treatment, show varying patterns identifying essential fatty acid excess or deficiency, signs of insulin resistance, elevated level of triglycerides (fatty acids compounds), pro-inflammation or omega-3 dominance.

• Chronic Pain such as Fibromyalgia, Rheumatoid arthritis,

• Thick or cracked calluses

• Small bumps on back of upper arms

• Dandruff

• Dry, dull, brittle hair

• Brittle fingernails

• Dry eyes

• Dry mouth/throat

• Inadequate vaginal lubrication

• Depression

• Menstrual cramps

• Premenstrual breast pain/ tenderness

• Excessive ear wax

• Excessive thirst

• Allergies

• Crave fats/fatty foods

• Stiff or painful joints

• Dry skin/ discoloration

Research is revealing the long-term health benefits of consuming the Right kind of fats.

• Cardiovascular health

• Children’s health and development

• Female health and reproduction

• Immune health

• Joint and tissue formation

• Lifestyle and healthy living

• Mental/neurological health

What Makes a Healthy Fat or Unhealthy Fat?

A few criteria make a fat a good choice for consumption:

• Fats with higher percentages of saturated fatty acids (they’re more stable)

• Fats from animal sources that are grass-fed, pasture-raised and / or organic

• Fats from plant sources that are organic, sustainable and / or minimally processed

• Examples: grass-fed butter, clarified butter or ghee, pastured lard (pork fat), pastured tallow (beef fat), duck fat, coconut oil, palm oil (only sustainable sources are acceptable), extra virgin olive oil (recommended for cold applications because it is a high percentage of MUFA), avocado oil, cold-pressed plant oils, virgin or extra virgin oils

• Fats that are a high percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids

• Fats from “vegetable” oils (these are highly processed, industrial oils)

• Fats that are hydrogenated (these are liquid oils chemically processed to be solid)

• Trans-fatty acids

• Supposedly “good” fats such as coconut oil that are chemically treated or deodorized (sometimes marked as refined)

• Examples: canola, cottonseed, soybean, rapeseed (canola), grapeseed, corn, vegetable, sunflower, safflower, sesame, margarine, buttery spread, other refined oils

Here’s a quick contrast:

Coconut oil = 92% saturated, 6% MUFA, 2% PUFA

Sunflower oil = 6% saturated, 19% MUFA, 63% PUFA