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Omega3/6

Essential Red Cell Fatty Acids Omega-3/Omega-6

Omega-3 is the name given to a family of polyunsaturated fatty acids, which the body needs but cannot manufacture itself. Omega-3 fats are used as the building blocks for fat derived hormones such as prostaglandins and leukotrienes. The hormones with an Omega-3 base tend to reduce inflammation, while those that have an Omega-6 base increase inflammation. In the cell membrane the competition between these two essential fats has a direct bearing on the type of local hormone produced and the level of inflammation in the cell.

The Omega-6 to Omega-3 ratio in the cell membranes is key to the development of inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis and heart disease. Diets low in oily fish and high in grains will promote inflammation and affect good health. The ratio of Omega-6 to Omega-3 in the West is around 15 to 1, fifteen times more Omega-6 on the cell membrane promoting inflammation. Having twice as much Omega-6 is considered by most experts to be the optimal amount but a ratio of 2:1 is not easy to produce by diet alone. Many people are aware of the health benefits of Omega-3 but the supplementation to achieve optimal health is erratic. Being able to test for Essential Red Cell Fatty Acids (Omega-6/Omega-3 ratio) identifies a person’s current status and is sufficiently specific to allow an accurate supplementation recommendation to be made.

Results show the Omega Ratio with a clear recommendation for the required level of Omega Supplementation (if any) to achieve optimal levels.

Results show the ratio of Omega 3 to Omega 6, against an optimal ratio and provide a supplementation recommendation to achieve this optimal ratio.

 

Test name
Omega 3/Omega 6 (Self-collect)
Omega 3/Omega 6 (Venous)