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RICHMOND, Va., May 24, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Health Diagnostic Laboratory Inc. (HDL, Inc.), a CAP accredited leader in health management, announced today that it will expand its comprehensive test menu of risk factors and biomarkers for cardiovascular and related diseases through the acquisition of Harris Scientific, Inc., a company providing omega-3 fatty acid testing based on the research of Dr. William Harris.
An internationally recognized expert on how omega-3 fatty acids can benefit patients with heart disease, Dr. Harris will join HDL, Inc. to further expand upon his life’s work in fatty acid analysis, and to enhance HDL, Inc.’s Fatty Acid panel of tests. This panel includes measurement of the level of omega-3, omega-6, cis-monounsaturated, saturated and trans fatty acids in erythrocyte membranes, and it supplies healthcare providers with critical information essential for guiding treatment options and improving health outcomes.
“We’ve become conditioned to think of fat as bad,” said Dr. Harris. “Omega-3 fats — technically fatty acids — however, are essential to the human body and have benefits for our heart, brain, eyes, and joints.” By reducing inflammation, blood clotting and improving membrane function, omega-3′s can reduce risk of heart disease – including fatal heart attacks and heart failure – both in persons with a history of cardiovascular disease and in healthy individuals.
The American Heart Association recommends that patients with coronary heart disease should ingest approximately 1,000 mg/day of the marine-based omega-3′s (EPA and DHA), and that those without coronary heart disease should eat two servings of (preferably oily) fish per week. Such an intake would provide roughly 400 to 500 mg/day of EPA+DHA, and is a reasonable target intake.
“There are documented benefits of omega-3 oils in a wide range of medical conditions. This is why Health Diagnostic Laboratory, Inc. chose Dr. Harris to help introduce our Fatty Acid test profile as the optimal method to document improved omega-3 levels in people who want to reduce their health risks,” said Tonya Malory, CEO and Co-founder of HDL, Inc.
Dr. Harris, the co-author of the American Heart Association’s scientific statement, “Fish Consumption, Fish Oil, Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Cardiovascular Disease,” is the recipient of five NIH grants for studies on the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on human health. “Dr. Harris has over 120 publications relating to omega-3 fatty acids in medical literature and is widely regarded as the thought leader in the association between omega-3 biostatus and cardiac death. HDL, Inc. is honored to have Dr. Harris join our team to continue to help physicians guide their patients towards the optimal level of omega-3′s in their treatment plans,” said Mallory.
“Studies show that the risk for sudden cardiac death is reduced by up to 90% in individuals with the highest fatty acids and there is growing evidence for an association between omega-3 biostatus and other conditions,” said Dr. Harris. “Most Americans do not get enough omega-3′s from their diets, and differences in age, weight, sex, diet, lifestyle habits, metabolism and absorption make it impossible to accurately predict anyone’s omega-3 status. The best way to know for sure is for physicians to use the Fatty Acid panel by Health Diagnostic Laboratory, Inc.”
Dr. Harris will be responsible for guiding HDL, Inc. as it expands its fatty acid testing services to include levels of over 25 individual fatty acids organized into 5 groups – Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Omega-6 Fatty Acids, cis-Monounsaturated Fatty Acids, Saturated Fatty Acids, and Trans Fatty Acids. HDL, Inc.’s fatty acid profile will also provide 2 Fatty Acid Ratios — Omega-6:Omega-3 ratio and Arachidonic:EPA ratio.
“With Dr. Harris joining HDL, Inc., the company will be positioned to establish the Fatty Acid profile as the worldwide standard for tracking and optimizing omega-3 status which will result in reduced morbidity and mortality from today’s chronic diseases,” Mallory concluded.
Explore the Health Benefits, Dietary Sources, and Omega-3 Biochemistry to learn more. Watch Dr. Bill Harris describe the Fatty Acids panel.
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