Omega-3 Index Test

The Omega-3 Index test is a home blood test (finger prick) that measures the percentage of EPA + DHA (omega-3) in your red blood cells.

A score between 8–12% is considered optimal.

Your diet and lifestyle influence your fatty acid balance. With this test, you gain insight into your omega-3 status and know whether adjusting your diet or supplementing is beneficial. Measuring equals knowing where you stand and what you can improve.

With the results of the test, you can calculate your optimal omega-3 dosage using the calculator .

You will receive a flat test kit in your mailbox. This contains everything you need to collect two drops of blood onto a special card via a finger prick . If you follow the instructions, it is almost foolproof and painless . Next, place the card in the enclosed return envelope (with reply number) and send it to us. Together with our certified lab in Germany, we ensure that you receive the results report via email after approximately 15 working days. You will then know exactly how much omega-3 fatty acids your body cells contain and how these compare to omega-6 fatty acids.

You will usually receive the results report by email within 15 working days .

In the report you will find, among other things:

• The HS-Omega-3 Index : the percentage of EPA + DHA in your red blood cells.
  
  A value between 8% and 12% is considered optimal.
• The omega-6/omega-3 ratio : this shows how the fatty acids relate to each other.
  
  A ratio of up to 3:1 (omega-6 : omega-3) is considered ideal.
  
  A ratio below 1:1 is undesirable.

In addition, the report contains an overview of several fatty acids and a brief explanation of the results.

You can find an example of the report here.

•  The test kit contains:
  
• - Manual
• – Puncture material (2 skewers, alcohol wipe, gauze and plaster)
• – Blood spot card
• – Zip bag 
• – Return envelope

By eating a lot of processed food, many people unknowingly consume large amounts of omega-6. If, in addition, you eat little fatty fish (such as herring, mackerel, sardines, or salmon) or plant-based omega-3 (for example, from algae oil, flaxseed oil, walnuts, or avocado), the ratio can rise to 10–20 times more omega-6 than omega-3 . This is unfavorable because omega-3 and omega-6 use the same enzymes, and an excess of omega-6 can reduce the effectiveness of omega-3. 

A good balance between omega-6 and omega-3 is generally considered healthier within a varied diet. A healthy fatty acid ratio is a maximum of 3–5:1 (omega-6:omega-3) , where 3:1 or lower is ideal . More omega-3 than omega-6 is not necessary; 1:1 is the lower limit .

You can then do the following:

1. Eat fatty fish regularly (such as herring, mackerel, sardines, and salmon), optionally supplemented with a dose of fish oil.
2. Use additional plant-based omega-3 sources (ground flaxseed (oil), ground chia seeds, walnuts, avocado, and seaweed), optionally supplemented with a dose of algae oil.
3. Always cook yourself (with fresh and varied products)
4. Use less/no alcohol

Do you think you need extra omega-3 in addition to this? Then you could consider starting with a double daily dose of fish or algae oil .

With a vegan or vegetarian diet, you primarily obtain omega-3s in the form of ALA from plant-based sources such as flaxseed (oil), chia seeds, and walnuts. The body can convert ALA into the active omega-3s EPA and DHA to a limited extent. Those who want to ensure sufficient EPA and DHA but do not eat fish can replace fish oil with plant-based algae oil . Algae oil is completely vegan and provides EPA and DHA directly, without the use of fish. 

This is only possible 4 to 5 months after you have started consuming more Omega-3 (and less Omega-6) for a period (via diet and/or supplements). This is because it takes that long for all the fatty acids in the red blood cells to be replaced.

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