Omega 6/Omega 3 Ratio details
What Omega 6/Omega 3 Ratio shows
This value is calculated by dividing your whole-blood omega-6 fatty acid total by your omega-3 fatty acid total. Both are essential fats from food, and the ratio gives a simple picture of the balance between them in your diet. A higher ratio means relatively more omega-6 than omega-3, which is common with diets high in vegetable oils and low in oily fish, and it is often used as a prompt to look at omega-3 intake. A lower ratio reflects relatively more omega-3. Because a ratio can change when either value changes, it is interpreted alongside the omega-3 and omega-6 totals themselves.
Tests that include Omega 6/Omega 3 Ratio
This test is designed for individuals who may have high cholesterol, high triglycerides, high blood pressure, or are at high risk for heart or metabolic diseases. It helps in assessing the risk and managing the conditions effectively.
- Arachidonic Acid/EPA Ratio A ratio calculated from arachidonic acid and EPA in whole blood, comparing an omega-6 fatty acid with an omega-3, used to gauge fatty acid balance.
- Arachidonic Acid Measures arachidonic acid in whole blood, an omega-6 fatty acid that the body uses to make signalling molecules involved in inflammation.
- Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) Measures DHA, a long-chain omega-3 fatty acid from fish and seafood, as a percentage of total fatty acids in whole blood.
- Docosapentaenoic Acid (DPA) Measures DPA, a long-chain omega-3 fatty acid between EPA and DHA, as a percentage of total fatty acids in whole blood.
- Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) Measures EPA, a long-chain omega-3 fatty acid from fish and seafood, as a percentage of total fatty acids in whole blood.
- Omega-3 Total (EPA + DPA + DHA) The combined level of the omega-3 fatty acids EPA, DPA and DHA in whole blood, used to estimate your overall long-chain omega-3 status.
- Linoleic Acid Linoleic acid, the main omega-6 essential fatty acid, measured in whole blood as part of OmegaCheck to look at your dietary fat balance.
- Omega 3 Total Measures the combined omega-3 fatty acids, such as EPA, DPA and DHA, in your blood as a percentage of total fatty acids, reflecting omega-3 intake.
- Omega 6/Omega 3 Ratio A ratio calculated from your blood omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acid totals, showing the balance between these two groups of essential fats.
- Omega 6, Total Measures the combined omega-6 fatty acids, such as linoleic and arachidonic acid, in your blood as a percentage of total fatty acids.
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