Researchers

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

At OmegaQuant, the specific method we use has more research behind it than any other commercially-available test with many more studies to be published in the coming years. In addition to the HS-Omega-3 Index, we also provide 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.

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. The clinical utility of the HS-Omega-3 Index 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.

Test Accuracy

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 information, 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.