FAQs



Click here to answer questions about the sample collection kit.

 
How is the HS-Omega-3 Index different from other fatty acid profile tests?

A. The sample type (RBC or dried blood spot vs plasma or plasma phospholipids)
Each of these sample types has a unique fatty acid profile, so you cannot compare the EPA+DHA level in RBCs to the EPA+DHA level in plasma, or in plasma phospholipids - the numbers will be quite different, even from the same lab. So regardless of which lab you choose to work with, you should always order the same type of test if you want to be able to track trends in the same patient over time. At OmegaQuant, we offer a RBC profile and a whole blood (dried blood spot) profile, and from either one you can get our branded metric, the HS-Omega-3 Index®. We do not offer serum or serum phospholipid assays because we believe that the RBC - since it's a cell - provides the best reflection of tissue omega-3 fatty acid status. In addition, there is considerably more day-to-day variation in the non-RBC tests than in the RBC- (or whole blood)-based tests.

B. The uniqueness of the specific method we use
Second, even if you order the RBC-based assay from two different labs, there is no guarantee whatever that you'll get the same answer. That's a big problem. The reason is that, unlike serum cholesterol or glucose or calcium, there is no standardized method (i.e., internationally recognized gold standard) to which all labs must peg their assays. There is no standard test material to which all labs are required to match. So your EPA+DHA, for example, might be 6.7% in Lab A and 5.2% in Lab B. Which one is "right?" We don't know what "right" is because there is no formal standard. At OmegaQuant, the specific method we use has more research behind it than any other method, with many more studies to be published in the coming years. A significant advantage of the HS-Omega-3 Index test is the ability to correlate it to clinical outcomes from major epidemiological and interventions studies (see below for “Research behind the test”)

C. The number of fatty acids reported in the profile (back to top)
In addition to the HS-Omega-3 Index, we also provide, at no additional charge, a complete fatty acid profile including 4 omega-3 fatty acids, 7 omega-6 fatty acids, 4 monounsaturated fatty acids, 6 saturated fatty acids, 3 groups of trans fatty acids, 5 composites (group sums), and 2 ratios (see below). Other ratios or groups of fatty acids can be calculated from these. But beyond these 26 fatty acids, there are still others (very minor components) that can be detected in both RBCs and in whole blood, and some labs will report these as well. It is our view at OmegaQuant that it is possible to provide too much information, and hence we draw the line at these 26, and in many respects, even this is more than can practically be addressed. We provide them as a courtesy to those clients who want to know. Sometimes in life, “less is more” and we believe that applies here.

D. The ratios included in the profile
As noted above, we provide two fatty acid ratios: the omega-6/omega-3 and AA/EPA. Although we include these values, we believe that the HS-Omega-3 Index is, by far, the single most important (and actionable) component of our report. These other fatty acids and ratios are provided as a courtesy and because some practitioners find them useful. We would suggest that for the dried blood spot assay, the omega-6/omega-3 ratio should be 4.6 or less, and the AA/EPA ratio should be 9 or less. For the red blood cell assay, the omega-6/omega-3 ratio should be 2.6 or less, and the AA/EPA ratio should be 15 or less.

E. The use of "reference" or "normal" ranges  *UPDATED*
Unlike some other labs, we do not list "normal" values for any fatty acid or ratio except for the HS-Omega-3 Index®. This is not an oversight. As a researcher in this area, I am acutely aware that, although there are "average" values for blood fatty acids in America, these are clearly not "optimal" levels. Average American levels of palmitic, stearic, oleic, trans oleic, linoleic, arachidonic, etc. are not necessarily "healthy" levels. At OmegaQuant, we don't want our clients to aim for a target that is off-target. As the research in this area matures, we will post “normal” values for reference only, and will recommend new “target” values when we believe that they have been adequately validated. It is our experience that most health care providers do not want us to report individual fatty acids as "high" or "low" because it generates many questions that not only do not need to be answered, but more importantly, cannot be answered based on current science.
We have added a reference range sheet for red blood cells and dried blood spot fatty acid profile results. These are for informational purposes only and are not meant to be used to diagnose or treat any medical condition.

F. The provision of dietary recommendations to correct deviations from "normal" (back to top)
Not only are we reluctant to present “normal” values for other fatty acids, we are even more reluctant to make dietary recommendations to “fix” any specific fatty acid that is “abnormal” – besides, of course, the HS-Omega-3 Index. We do not believe that the research has advanced to the point where we can tell people who have a below (or above) "average" level of, say, palmitoleic acid, not only how they should try to change it, but even whether it would benefit them to do so. Fatty acid profiles are highly complex, being determined by genetics, metabolism as well as diet, and changes in the level of one fatty acid can alter the levels of another. So until further research convincingly demonstrates that raising or lowering a certain fatty acid is beneficial or not, we will take the conservative approach of simply giving each client the numbers and they can track them as they wish.
Clearly, we are very comfortable with recommending specific targets for the HS-Omega-3 Index® because the research supporting a target of 8% is strong, and we know that you can specifically raise the Index by eating more omega-3. We don't, however, know exactly how much EPA+DHA any particular person should be told to take to achieve the 8% target. People differ, and so each person's response to supplemental omega-3s will vary. Just like one cannot predict how much serum cholesterol will go down when a patient is placed on statins, we cannot accurately predict how the HS-Omega-3 Index® will respond to an increased intake; it must be titrated. (See Question 2).

G. The research behind the test
Dr. Harris has been doing research in omega-3s for 30 years, and has over 80 published research papers in this field. He, along with his colleague Clemens von Schacky, MD, a cardiologist from Munich, was the first to propose the Omega-3 Index as an independent risk factor for heart disease. More importantly, currently Dr. Harris is the Principal Investigator for and is using the HS-Omega-3 Index test in two major epidemiologic studies, both funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH): the Framingham Heart Study and the Women's Health Initiative's Memory Study. In addition, he will be doing the blood analyses in the newly announced $20M, 20K-subject "VITAL" study testing omega-3 and vitamin D for CHD and cancer prevention. Dr. Harris is using the same method in at least 8 additional clinical studies being funded by the NIH.

H. The clinical applicability of the test (back to top)
Because of the research foundation undergirding the HS-Omega-3 Index, its clinical utility will continue to grow and mature as the results of these new studies are published. Healthcare providers and consumers alike want their results to be comparable to those published in the mainstream medical literature. If high or low risk for disease X is defined by a particular HS-Omega-3 Index value as derived from these research studies, then only by using this specific test can you be sure that your level of risk is accurately predicted; a value from another lab may or may not give you a clinically-useful estimate of risk. It is for these reasons that the Cooper Clinic in Dallas selected OmegaQuant Analytics as their sole provider for fatty acid testing.

I. The cost of the test
At OmegaQuant Analytics, we offer the HS-Omega-3 Index test along with the full fatty acid profile for $199.95. Discounts are available to healthcare providers. Please call customer service at 1-800-949-0632. There are other labs offering similar tests, and some advertise prices of over $300.

If patients are taking omega-3 supplements, won't their HS-Omega-3 Index® be above 8%?

NOT NECESSARILY. There is no way to predict – for any given person – what his/her HS-Omega-3 Index will be just by knowing how much fish they eat or how many capsules they take.

How can I know if I am getting enough omega-3? (back to top)

The only way is to directly measure the HS-Omega-3 Index®.

What is the target range For the HS-Omega-3 Index?

The target HS-Omega-3 Index is 8% and above, a level that current research indicates is associated with the lowest risk* for death from CHD. This is also a typical level in Japan, a country with one of the lowest rates of sudden cardiac death in the world. On the other hand, an Index of 4% or less (which is common in the US) indicates the highest risk*. At present, there are no known sex- or age-specific values.
*In this context, "risk" refers only to that associated with differing levels of omega-3 fatty acids. Risks associated with other factors such as cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes, family history of CHD, smoking, or other cardiac conditions are completely independent of and not influenced by omega-3 fatty acids. All risk factors – including the HS-Omega-3 Index—should be addressed as part of any global risk reduction strategy.

What can I do to correct my HS-Omega-3 Index? (back to top)

Increase your intake of EPA+DHA. The amount you would need to take in order to raise your HS-Omega-3 Index into the target range (>8%) depends in part on your starting level, but it cannot be predicted with certainty as described above. Nevertheless, if your HS-Omega-3 Index is between 4% and 8%, we would recommend that you increase your current EPA+DHA intake by ½ -1 gram (500 - 1000 mg) per day. This can be accomplished in two ways: eating more oily fish and/or taking fish oil supplements. On the other hand, if it is less than 4%, our recommendation would be that you raise your intake by 1-3 g (1000 - 3000 mg) per day. Although this can be accomplished by eating more oily fish, fish oil supplements are usually necessary to achieve this level of EPA+DHA intake.

What other labs offer the HS-Omega-3 Index Test?

In North America, the test is performed by OmegaQuant Analytics®, Sioux Falls, SD. In Europe, the test can be obtained from our sister laboratory, OmegaMetrix. As other labs around the world become licensed to offer the HS-Omega-3 Index test they will be listed on our website.

How quickly will the results be available? (back to top)

Once the sample is received at OmegaQuant, the results will be available on-line within 3 working days.

How accurate is the HS-Omega-3 Index® test?

This is discussed in detail in the Test Accuracy section.

Are there target values, like there are for the HS-Omega-3 Index, for any other fatty acids in the full fatty acid profile? (back to top)

The other class of fatty acids that, like the omega-3 fatty acids, is largely controlled by dietary habits is the trans fatty acids. There has been much about these “bad” fatty acids in the media in recent years, and some cities have actually banned these fatty acids from restaurants. You can learn more about saturated and trans fatty acids here. With respect to defining a “healthy” target value, this has not received much attention, and thus any recommendations should be considered tentative. At OmegaQuant Analytics, we are in the process of defining, based on our test, what a good level should be, and this will be posted on our website once we are comfortable with the science behind it. But even without a target value, you can use the “total trans fats” result on your Full Fatty Acid report to track changes in your own personal trans levels as you begin to eat a healthier diet.

Is this a fasting test?

It is a fasting test in the sense that you don't want to eat a large meal and take a blood sample 2-6 hours afterwards. Ideally, a sample is taken after waking up in the morning and before breakfast.

Why don't the EPA and DHA values add up to the HS-Omega-3 Index on my DBS report?

The DBS has been developed through multiple experiments which correlate the DBS value to the corresponding RBC value. A correlation equation is used to adjust the EPA+DHA values in the DBS HS-Omega-3 Index, which is slightly different than adding the two values together.