Years of negative associations of dietary fat with calories, cholesterol and even cancer have resulted in the attitude among the general public and many medical professionals that fat should simply be avoided. Yet fatty acids, of which fats are made up of, are critical to normal human function.
Certain key essential fatty acids (EFA’s) are thought to be partially responsible for the development of the human brain in evolutionary terms, and the human capacity for creativity among other things.
EFAs are needed in constant supply and are used to form powerful hormones and cell membranes, and as an efficient source of stored energy. Deficiencies are now prevalent due to modern diets being high in saturated and hydrogenated fats, but low in the many essential fats.
Why test the Omega ratios?
The Omega-6/Omega-3 Ratio:
EFA imbalances have been cited by some experts as the most widespread nutritional problem in modern times. The ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fats has increased dramatically due to the widespread use of vegetable oils, rising from about 4:1 for Americans at the beginning of the twentieth century to about 20:1 at the present time. Increased consumption of saturated fats and decreased consumption of omega-3 oils (from sources such as cold water fish and flaxseed oil) have also contributed to the growing prevalence of these imbalances. Some individuals with a healthy dietary balance of fatty acids may still have biochemical abnormalities that interfere with their ability to properly metabolise those fats. They may require more targeted supplementation.
Omega 3 fatty acids
Omega 6 fatty acids
Omega 7 fatty acids
Omega 9 fatty acids
Mono unsaturated fatty acids
Saturated fats
Trans fats
Delta 6 desaturase activity
Cardiovascular risk:
Omega 6: Omega 3
Arachadonic acid : EPA
Omega 3 index
Individual analytes include:
Arachidic
Arachidonic
Behenic
Dihomo-gamma-linolenic
Docosahexaenoic
Docosapentaenoic
Docosatetraenoic
Eicosadienoic
Eicosapentaenoic
Elaidic
Gamma-linolenic
Gondoic
Lignoceric
Linoleic
Margaric
Nervonic
Oleic
Palmitic
Palmitoleic
Pentadecanoic
Stearic
Tricosanoic
Vaccenic
Alpha-linolenic
This is a blood test that requires an easy at-home blood spot collection.
If you have difficulty providing a finger prick sample you may like to arrange a blood draw. You will need to arrange this via your GP or a private phlebotomy service; the fee for this is not included with your test fee.
An overnight fast is required – please drink water only.
2 years and above.
You must allow your blood card to air dry for 24 hours before packing it to return to the laboratory.
Please return via a next day service Monday – Thursday only. A courier option is sent with your test kit. You pay the laboratory directly for this test and the return courier if you choose to use this service. You can also make your own arrangements for returning your samples via a next day service.
10 working days.
Your test results will be emailed to you.
All sample reports are for representational and educational purposes only. Biomarkers, references ranges, results, and all other data may differ from actual reports. All data included in no way represents an actual patient. Any comparisons of results to actual patients is completely incidental.
Updated April 2020
