Omega 3 fatty acids are commonly found in plant and fish oils and are essential for maintaining good health. Omega 6 is also beneficial – helping brain function and muscle growth. This test will check the level of Omega 3 and 6 and most importantly the ratio between them.
Newspaper articles and other sources tell us the beneficial affect of Omega 3 in our diet from plant and fish oils.
As human diets have moved from that of hunter gatherer to the modern agricultural era, the amount of omega 6 fatty acids we consume has increased dramatically such that we now consume more than 10 times the amount of omega 6 as omega 3. The ideal would be to have a ration in the region of 4:1 between Omega 6 and 3. An unhealthy diet can be as high as 12:1. This test helps you check where you are and you can adjust your diet accordingly.
The resulting modern ratio of more than 10:1 is believed to be responsible for a number of inflammatory diseases such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes. An ideal ratio is about 2:1 and this is normally achievable by changes in diet and supplementation of omega 3 rich fish oils. This test checks the ratio of omega 3 and 6 and highlights any irregular levels.
Having the right levels of omega 3 & 6 is thought to change the way we look and feel. One of the primary omega 3 benefits is its clinically proven ability to reduce inflammation by balancing the omega 3 to omega 6 ratio. The anti-inflammatory properties of omega 3 have also been shown to reduce blood pressure to healthier levels.
The omega 3 & 6 requires and 8-10 hour fast and for no alcohol to be consumed 24 hours prior to the sample being collected.