Omega-3 Index Results
(Undesirable <4%, Intermediate 4%-8%, Desirable >8%)
Reference Range*: 2.5%-11.8%
*Reference Ranges encompass about 99% of US adults.
(If Result <8%) Your Omega-3 Index is below the target level of 8-12%.
(If Result 8-12%) Your Omega-3 Index is within the target range of 8-12%!
(If Result >12%) Your Omega-3 Index is above the target range of 8-12%. You may wish to decrease your intake of omega-3 fatty acids. Although many studies have shown that people with a higher (vs. lower) Omega-3 Index are at decreased risk for a variety of disorders, virtually none of these studies have included a significant number of individuals with an Omega-3 Index of over 12%. Therefore, we have no data to support (or refute) the beneficial effects of an Omega-3 Index above this level. Given this uncertainty, we would recommend that you aim to keep your Omega-3 Index within the desirable range†.
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 may even live longer than those with lower levels. Raising your omega-3 index and keeping it up could help reduce your risk of 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.
† These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Rather it is a wellness test to assess nutritional status. You are encouraged to discuss these results with your healthcare provider.
References:
1. Block RC, Harris WS, Reid KJ, Sands SA, Spertus JA. EPA and DHA in blood cell membranes from acute coronary syndrome patients and controls. Atherosclerosis. 2007;197:821-828
2. Siscovick DS, Raghunathan TE, King I, Weinmann S, Wicklund KG, Albright J, Bovbjerg V, Arbogast P, Smith H, Kushi LH, et al. Dietary intake and cell membrane levels of long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and the risk of primary cardiac arrest. JAMA. 1995;274:1363-1367
3. Albert CM, Campos H, Stampfer MJ, Ridker PM, Manson JE, Willett WC, Ma J. Blood levels of long-chain n-3 fatty acids and the risk of sudden death. The New England journal of medicine. 2002;346:1113-1118
4. Otsuka R, Tange C, Nishita Y, Kato Y, Imai T, Ando F, Shimokata H. Serum docosahexaenoic and eicosapentaenoic acid and risk of cognitive decline over 10 years among elderly japanese. European journal of clinical nutrition. 2014;68:503-509
5. Tan ZS, Harris WS, Beiser AS, Au R, Himali JJ, Debette S, Pikula A, Decarli C, Wolf PA, Vasan RS, Robins SJ, Seshadri S. Red blood cell omega-3 fatty acid levels and markers of accelerated brain aging. Neurology. 2012;78:658-664
6. Pottala JV, Yaffe K, Robinson JG, Espeland MA, Wallace R, Harris WS. Higher rbc epa + dha corresponds with larger total brain and hippocampal volumes: Whims-mri study. Neurology. 2014;82:435-442
7. Kulzow N, Witte AV, Kerti L, Grittner U, Schuchardt JP, Hahn A, Floel A. Impact of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on memory functions in healthy older adults. Journal of Alzheimer’s disease : JAD. 2016;51:713-725
8. Johnston DT, Deuster PA, Harris WS, Macrae H, Dretsch MN. Red blood cell omega-3 fatty acid levels and neurocognitive performance in deployed u.S. Servicemembers. Nutr Neurosci. 2013;16:30-38
9. McNamara RK, Welge JA. Meta-analysis of erythrocyte polyunsaturated fatty acid biostatus in bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorders. 2016;18:300-306
10. Hawkey E, Nigg JT. Omega−3 fatty acid and adhd: Blood level analysis and meta-analytic extension of supplementation trials. Clinical Psychology Review. 2014;34:496-505
11. Lin PY, Chiu CC, Huang SY, Su KP. A meta-analytic review of polyunsaturated fatty acid compositions in dementia. J Clin.Psychiatry. 2012;68:140-147
12. Merle BM, Benlian P, Puche N, Bassols A, Delcourt C, Souied EH. Circulating omega-3 fatty acids and neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Investigative ophthalmology & visual science. 2014;55:2010-2019
13. Mozaffarian D, Lemaitre RN, King IB, Song X, Huang H, Sacks FM, Rimm EB, Wang M, Siscovick DS. Plasma phospholipid long-chain omega-3 fatty acids and total and cause-specific mortality in older adults: A cohort study. Annals of internal medicine. 2013;158:515-525
14. Pottala JV, Garg S, Cohen BE, Whooley MA, Harris WS. Blood eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids predict all-cause mortality in patients with stable coronary heart disease: The heart and soul study. Circ.Cardiovasc.Qual.Outcomes. 2010;3:406-412
15. Kleber ME, Delgado GE, Lorkowski S, Marz W, von Schacky C. Omega-3 fatty acids and mortality in patients referred for coronary angiography. The ludwigshafen risk and cardiovascular health study. Atherosclerosis. 2016;252:175-181
16. Flock MR, Skulas-Ray AC, Harris WS, Etherton TD, Fleming JA, Kris-Etherton PM. Determinants of erythrocyte omega-3 fatty acid content in response to fish oil supplementation: A dose-response randomized controlled trial. Journal of the American Heart Association. 2013;2:e000513
17. Dewell A, Marvasti FF, Harris WS, Tsao P, Gardner CD. Low- and high-dose plant and marine (n-3) fatty acids do not affect plasma inflammatory markers in adults with metabolic syndrome. The Journal of nutrition. 2011;141:2166-2171
18. Katan MB, Deslypere JP, van Birgelen AP, Penders M, Zegwaard M. Kinetics of the incorporation of dietary fatty acids into serum cholesteryl esters, erythrocyte membranes, and adipose tissue: An 18-month controlled study. Journal of lipid research. 1997;38:2012-2022
