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Omega 3 Fatty Acids – Blood Test

 

Summary

There are two essential fatty acid pathways: omega 3 and omega 6.  The relationship between the omega 3 [eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)] and the omega 6 [arachidonic acid (AA)] is particularly important as the ratio of these two fatty acids is an excellent marker of inflammation.

 

Adequate levels of omega 3 fatty acids, and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and EPA in particular, have proven protective against heart disease.  In addition, a healthy ratio of AA to EPA has been associated with improvements in a variety of diseases like: rheumatoid arthritis, asthma and diabetes.  Some cancers may also benefit from a lowered ratio of AA to EPA.  

 

Some important facts regarding essential fatty acids:

• the omega 6 pathway contains arachidonic acid (AA), which is a precursor to excess inflammation;
• the omega 3 fatty acid pathway contains eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA).  EPA and AA compete for the same enzyme systems: EPA can decease inflammation whereas AA can promote it;
• EPA represents omega 3 status and AA represents omega 6 status. Thus, inadequate omega 3 intake coupled with excessive dietary intake of omega 6 can result in an elevated AA to EPA ratio.  Dr. Barry Sears, author of The Anti-Inflammation Zone calls this ratio the Silent Inflammation Profile;
• humans evolved on a diet of approximately 1:1 AA to EPA.  The average North American diet consists of over 10:1 of AA  to EPA.  In other words, most people consume > 10 times the inflammatory omega 6 fatty acids than they require.

An elevated ratio of AA to EPA increases risk of the following diseases

Heart disease

According to the 1994 Lyon Heart Study, a 4 to 1 ratio in the diet (Mediterranean Diet)  was associated with a 70% decrease in cardiovascular mortality post myocardial infarction when compared to a 14 to 1 ratio consumed from the American Heart Association diet.

 

Lung cancer

A lowered ratio of omega 6 to omega 3 fatty acids is associated with reduced invasion potential of human lung cancer cells.

 

Breast cancer

Fatty acid levels in breast fat tissue support the hypothesis that omega 6:omega 3 balance plays a role in breast cancer.

 

Colorectal cancer

A 2.5 to 1 ratio is associated with decreased colorectal cancer cell proliferation while a 4 to 1 ratio showed no benefit.

 

Asthma

A 10 to 1 ratio is associated with exacerbation of induced asthma symptoms while a 5:1 ratio was associated with improved symptoms.

 

Diabetes

A 20 to 1 ratio is associated with increased incidence of diabetes whereas a 6 to 1 ratio is associated with decreased incidence of diabetes.

 

Rheumatoid arthritis

A 2 or 3:1 ratio is associated with a reduction in arthritis symptoms.

The  research  cited  above  supports  the  notion  that  measuring  essential  fatty  acid  status,  and  the ratio of AA to EPA in particular, is an excellent means of assessing health status in the absence of overt disease.

 

Talk to your healthcare provider about having an Essential Fatty Acid test done!

 

**Description courtesy of Rocky Mountain Analytical