Our Essential Home Test Kit measures your Omega-3 Index as a single but vitally important biomarker. Measured as a % it gives you a snapshot of the amount of EPA & DHA in the red blood cell membranes in critical organs like your heart and brain. Levels between 8-12% are desirable for optimal health.
- The Science
- What's inside?
- How It Works
- FAQs
Why the Omega-3 Index Matters
The Omega-3 index has been suggested to predict the risk of coronary heart disease and other cardiovascular events. The results from the following studies indicate: People with low Omega-3 index levels were 10 times more likely to die from sudden cardiac death than those with higher Omega-3 index levels (1)
People with the highest Omega-3 index levels had a 33% reduction in the risk of death from any cause compared to those with the lowest levels. This same study also indicated that the Omega-3 index could predict death risk better than serum cholesterol levels (2).
Higher Omega-3 index levels were associated with lower blood pressure in healthy adults between ages 25 to 41 (3). Low levels are linked to an increase in the risk of major depression for both adults and adolescents. Due to our Western diets, levels tend to be low at less than 4%. Countries with the highest Omega-3 Index values were Scandinavia, Japan, and Korea, with 8-12% levels. In Japan, with a diet high in fish, they have the lowest coronary heart disease mortality and atherosclerosis levels among developed nations. (4)
The good news is even if your omega-3 index is low, you can fix it. Increasing your dietary intake of EPA and DHA by eating fatty fish and taking a fresh fish oil supplement is strongly correlated with increased Omega-3 index levels. Studies show it can take between 1800 – 2000 mg of Omega 3 fish oil daily to improve someone's index by 4 – 5 % points (5)
What’s Inside?
Wipes to clean and sterilise the area on the finger to be pricked.
Easy to use, single-use, Lancets used for pricking the finger. A second lancet is a backup in case you need to puncture a second finger if the blood drop isn't enough from the first finger.
A specially coated paper with two circles to collect the blood drops. The circles need to be filled. Our lab will use these spots to test, measure and calibrate your results.
This sleeve will protect your blood sample. The collection card will be placed into this sleeve after the blood has dried completely.
The Sleeve will be placed into this bag to keep it dry and airtight.
A handy pre-addressed and pre-paid envelope into which you place the Sample bag for your convenience, to be posted on the same day as collecting your sample.
A handy sterile gauze pad is provided in case you need to wipe the blood from the finger after you have provided the sample.
Place a band-aid over the pricked finger so it can heal hygienically.
Simple. We'll send the test to you.
Activate your kit online by entering the unique code on the collection card
Collect 2 x blood spots with a pain-free finger prick and post to our certified lab
Access your results and recommendations via our online health hub within days
Know More
Research Resources
Increasing the Omega-3 Index by increased intake of EPA + DHA improved a number of surrogate parameters for cardiovascular risk: heart rate, blood pressure, platelet activity and triglycerides were reduced, HRV, LDL, VLDL, HDL markers all improved. Pro-inflammatory cytokines were reduced, anti-inflammatory oxylipins were increased.
Link
Increasing DHA in the brain has a protective effect on brain health, is important for people with APOE4 gene variant which is linked to inflammation of the brain and Alzheimer's. Higher doses are required to increase CSF levels, B vitamins improve Omega 3 metabolism.
Link
Omega-3 from fish lowers all-cause mortality by 15 - 18%. Vegetable source Omega-3 ALA was not effective in lowering mortality.
Link
Interesting Facts
Prevention as a lifestyle
The healthcare of tomorrow will hinge around prediction, prevention and optimisation. 97% of our health spending currently goes towards disease rather than optimal functioning or detection of health problems in advance.
Your blood work is a window into the inner workings of your body. It allows you to identify nutrient gaps, make changes to your health and lifestyle and monitor trends over time. At Wild Atlantic, our mission is to empower people to live longer, healthier and happier lives.
Life is short, stay healthy for it.
