In 2004, Dr. Harris and his colleague Dr. Clemens von Schacky, a cardiology researcher in Munich, Germany, proposed that the Omega-3 Index be considered a new risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and in 2009 Dr. Harris founded OmegaQuant, LLC, to offer the test to researchers, clinicians and the public. In 2011, the technology was acquired by Health Diagnostic Laboratory, Inc., Richmond, VA where the HS-Omega-3 Index test is now performed for medical clients. OmegaQuant continues to perform fatty acid analysis for commercial and academic researcher collaborators.

Dr. Harris currently holds several positions. In Richmond, he is a Senior Scientist at Health Diagnostic Laboratory. In Sioux Falls, he is a Research Professor in the Department of Medicine, Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota; an Adjunct Senior Scientist at the Cardiovascular Health Research Center, Sanford Research; and the President and CEO of OmegaQuant.

Dr. Harris has been doing research on omega-3s for 30 years, and has over 120 published research papers in this field. He and his colleague Clemens von Schacky, MD, a cardiologist from Munich, were the first to propose the Omega-3 Index as an independent risk factor for heart disease. Dr. Harris is using the same method in at least 8 additional clinical studies being funded by the NIH.

Because of the research foundation supporting 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 as their sole provider for fatty acid testing.

The HS-Omega-3 Index® is an accurate, precise and validated measure of your red blood cell omega-3 level. The assay is reproducible, linear across the physiological range, and highly responsive to changes in omega-3 intake, even when measured in a dried blood spot. Intra-individual variability in the HS-Omega-3 Index® is very low. For more details click here.

OmegaQuant offers a variety of fatty acid profiles from red blood cells, serum (whole, lipid fractions or lipoprotein classes), whole blood, or tissues. Our lab is the gold standard for omega-3 fatty acid analysis and we would be happy to help complete your research project. Please contact us for information on using the HS-Omega-3 Index or any of our fatty acid tests for research studies.

Please contact us for information on using the HS-Omega-3 Index for research studies.

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.

About HDL, Inc.

Health Diagnostic Laboratory Inc. (HDL, Inc.), a CAP accredited leader in health management, offers a comprehensive test menu of risk factors and biomarkers for cardiovascular and related diseases. Our systematic approach identifies factors contributing to disease and provides a basis for effective personalized treatment, allowing physicians to more effectively manage patients. As an added value, patients receive a personalized overview of their risk factors along with intensive counseling from expert Health Coaches at no additional cost, improving compliance and enhancing potential outcomes. For more information, www.myhdl.com.