Description
The Fatty Acid Blood Spot test offers a comprehensive assessment of omegas 3, 6 and 7 status, as well as saturated fatty acids. It uses the High Sensitivity Omega 3 Index (HS-Omega-3 Index®) to provide a fatty acid ratio, known to be associated with improved health outcomes.
The HS-Omega-3 Index® was invented and defined in 2002 by Prof. Dr. WS Harris, Sanford University, USA and Prof. Dr C. von Schacky, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, and founder of Omegametrix. These two scientists have done extensive work to standardise the measurement methodology to meet the highest quality criteria of clinical chemistry (constancy tests, plausibility tests, interlaboratory tests, quality management, etc.). This measurement method is called the "HS-Omega-3 Index®" ("high sensitivity" or "Harris Schacky") after its inventors. There are more than 250 international journal publications based on the HS-Omega-3 Index®, and around 50 research projects are in progress worldwide. This comprehensive scientific database is the basis for using the HS-Omega-3 Index® in routine clinical diagnostics.
An optimal HS-Omega-3 Index should be around 10%, (i.e. between 8 and 12%).
Methodology
The HS-Omega-3 Index® is determined from specific analysis of red blood cells and reflects the proportion of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in important organs such as the heart.
When should I use
An optimal HS-Omega-3 Index has been shown to be an important factor in:
cardiovascular health
recovery after cardiac arrest
Reduced occurrence of depression in both adults and adolescents
improvement in ADHD
Mental agility
Healthy pregnancy and foetal brain, nervous system and eye development
Immune function
General health
Other Details
The sample should be collected after an overnight fast (minimum 10 hours)
Retesting, after therapeutic intervention, is recommended after 8-12 weeks at the earliest as the erythrocytes only change their fatty acid composition slowly.
If the HS-Omega-3 Index® is in the target range, then annual rechecks are sufficient, assuming dietary intake of omega-3 remains unchanged.
