What are Essential Fatty Acids (EFA)?
Essential fatty acids are important fats that your body requires to function properly, particularly during pregnancy and lactation and in the prevention of disease. They are noted as essential because they must be obtained from the diet – the body cannot produce them. Many people do not eat enough healthy fatty acids.
Well-absorbed omega-3 comes from oily fish and microalgae, so vegans and vegetarians who do not supplement are most likely to have low levels. Individual differences in metabolism, absorption, and genetics make it impossible to be sure what your score is without testing.
About this test
This omega-3 test measures the levels of EPA and DHA in red blood cells. This is the world-leading essential fatty acids test that has been used in hundreds of clinical trials. It is one of only three labs in the world that can officially be used to calculate the omega-3 index tested in clinical trials.
More Information
There are three main types of omega-3:
Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) come mainly from fish, so they are sometimes called marine omega-3s. EPA and DHA are the most important fatty acids for heart disease prevention.
ALA (alpha-linolenic acid), another omega-3 fatty acid, is found in plant sources such as nuts and seeds. Essential fatty acids become incorporated into all the body’s tissues, including the heart. The omega-3 index invented by Dr. William Harris and cardiologist Dr. Clemens Von Schacky is a clinically-validated, patent-pending measure of the essential fatty acids EPA+DHA inside the red blood cells. The omega-3 index is an independently verified, clinically studied risk factor for heart disease. It is supported by over 90 clinical trials published in international journals and is now considered the analytical standard for fatty acid testing.
Apart from disease risk, your omega-3 index is particularly important when pregnant and breastfeeding. More than 1 million people worldwide have measured their Omega-3 Index with this test. It has been used in large, NIH-funded population studies.
Why test Essential Fatty Acids?
It can be helpful to test essential fatty acids to discover your risk factors for lifestyle diseases in time to do something about them or to monitor or evaluate the impact of your supplements. It can also be helpful if you have a family or personal history of heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, mental health issues, joint problems, smoking, drinking, or a poor diet. You need extra essential fatty acids if you are pregnant or breastfeeding women, or trying to conceive.
What do the results mean?
The optimal omega-3 index is 8-11%. An optimal omega-3 index means that 8-11% of the fatty acids in red cell membranes are comprised of EPA and DHA. Persons tested using the omega-3 index often have a substantially lower score: around 4%. Compared with this lower omega-3 index, an optimal index of between 8 and 11% results in:
- Lower risk for cardiovascular diseases, like myocardial infarction, cardiac arrhythmias, sudden cardiac death, or congestive heart failure.
- Lower risk of premature birth and better chances for optimal brain development and brain function in the newborn.
- Lower probability of psychiatric diseases like ADHD, ADD, anxiety, OCD, or depression.
- Lower probability for age-related neurodegenerative disease and other cognitive impairments.
- Possibly lower risk for other diseases
Preparations for this test
Do not eat or drink anything except water for at least 10 (but preferably 12) hours before taking the test.
On the day of the test
Remember to take your ID with you to the lab