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. This test gives you insight into your omega-3 status and find out whether adjusting your diet or taking supplements would be beneficial. Measuring = knowing where you stand and what you can improve.

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

You will receive a flat test kit in your mailbox. It contains everything you need to collect two drops of blood from your finger and place them on a special card. If you follow the instructions, it is virtually foolproof and painless. Then, place the card in the return envelope provided (with a prepaid address) and send it to us. Together with our certified lab in Germany, we will ensure that you receive the results report by email within approximately 15 working days. You will then know exactly how much omega-3 fatty acids your body cells contain and how this compares to the omega-6 fatty acids.

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

The report includes the following:

• 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 ratioshows how the fatty acids relate to each other.
  A ratio of maximum of 3:1 (omega-6 : omega-3) is considered ideal.
  A ratio below 1:1 is not desirable.

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

An example of the report can be found here. 

•  The test kit contains:
  • Manual
  • Lancing kit (2 lancets, alcohol wipe, gauze pad, and bandage)
  • Blood spot card
  • Zip bag 
  • Return envelope

By eating a lot of processed foods, many people unknowingly consume large amounts of omega-6. If you also 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 effect 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 maximum 3–5 : 1 (omega-6 : omega-3), with 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 regularly oily fish (such as herring, mackerel, sardines, and salmon), possibly supplemented with a dose of fish oil.
2. Use additional plant-based omega-3 sources (ground flaxseed (oil), ground chia seeds, nuts, avocado, and seaweed), possibly supplemented with a dose of algae oil.
3. Always cook yourself (with fresh and varied produce)
4. Use less/no alcohol

Do you think you need additional omega-3 on top of this? Then you could consider starting with a double daily dose of fishor algae oil.

With a vegan or vegetarian diet, omega-3 is mainly obtained in the form of ALA from plant sources such as flaxseed (oil), chia seeds, and walnuts. The body can convert ALA into the active omega-3 EPA and DHA to a limited extent. Those who want to be sure of getting enough 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 can only be done after 4 to 5 months after you have started consuming more Omega-3 (and less Omega-6) for a period of time (via food and/or supplement). This is because it takes that long for all the fatty acids in the red blood cells to be replaced.

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