Nutritional Status Tests

What is the Omega-3 Index?

When you take an Omega-3 Index test it gives you a percentage on a scale of 0-12%. An Omega-3 Index of 8% or higher is ideal, the lowest risk zone; 4-8% is considered the intermediate zone; and below 4% is considered the highest risk zone. Raising your Omega-3 Index to the desirable zone of 8% will help ensure you are getting enough of the right omega-3s — EPA and DHA — from your diet to protect your health.

Health Benefits Associated with an Optimal Omega-3 Index:
Dr. Bill Harris, the founder of OmegaQuant and the inventor of the Omega-3 Index, discovered the connection between the level of omega-3s EPA and DHA in the blood and heart health almost two decades ago. His studies have shown that having a high level of omega-3 in the blood is highly protective of the heart and specifically supports:

• Healthy blood flow
• Healthy triglyceride levels
• Normal heart rhythm
• Healthy blood pressure levels

Why Omega-3 Index Testing Matters:

• Higher omega-3 levels are linked to lower risk for heart disease
• A low Omega-3 Index is associated with smaller brain volume and cognitive impairment
• A higher Omega-3 Index is associated with healthy blood pressure
• The Omega-3 Index is a strong predictor of premature death
• Having a low Omega-3 Index could be just as dangerous to your health as smoking

DHA & The Brain:

By far the most prominent fat in the brain is the omega-3 DHA. Research has shown that this important omega-3 fat can hang around for more than two-and-half years before it is replaced by new DHA in the brain. Studies of the Omega-3 Index and brain health, show that an optimal level of 8% or higher is related to:

• Cognitive function
• Memory
• Focus
• Mood

Omega-3 & Longevity:

People with an optimal level of omega-3s in their blood also tend to live longer, healthier lives. In one study, researchers found the risk fordeath from any cause was reduced by 33% when comparing those with the highest Omega-3 Index to those with the lowest. Another study that looked at omega-3 levels in more than 6000 post-menopausal women confirmed that those with a higher Omega-3 Index had a longer lifespan.

Health Risks Associated with a Low Omega-3 Index:

OmegaQuant’s Dr. Harris believes it’s no coincidence that there is a widespread epidemic of heart disease and brain health isssues around the world as well as a relative deficiency in omega-3 intake. In fact, a study published in 2016 showed that most people globally don’t consume enough omega-3s to reap their protective benefits. It showed that most countries have an Omega-3 Index of 6% or below —8% is optimal.