Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Reference Guide
  /  
Omega-3/Omega-6 Ratio
Sign up free to test for 
Omega-3/Omega-6 Ratio
.
One login for 30+ lab companies.

Omega-3/Omega-6 Ratio

What's 
Omega-3/Omega-6 Ratio
?
The Omega-3/Omega-6 ratio is a way to measure the balance between two essential fatty acids in your body. These fats, called Omega-3 and Omega-6, can't be made by your body, so you need to get them from the foods you eat. Omega-3 fats, found in foods like fish and flaxseeds, are known for helping to reduce inflammation and support brain function. Omega-6 fats, found in foods like vegetable oils and nuts, are also important for brain health, but if you have too much of them, they can cause inflammation. The balance between these two fats in your body is important because it can affect different aspects of your health, such as inflammation, heart health, and brain function.
If Your Levels Are High
A high Omega-3/Omega-6 ratio might mean that you're getting more Omega-3 fatty acids in your diet compared to Omega-6. This could be because you're eating lots of fish, flaxseeds, and chia seeds, which are rich in Omega-3, or not eating many foods high in Omega-6, like vegetable oils, nuts, and seeds. Taking supplements like fish oil or flaxseed oil could also play a role in this imbalance. While Omega-3s are good for your heart and brain, it's important to have a balance between Omega-3 and Omega-6 for overall health. An imbalance like this could affect how your body handles inflammation and other health aspects.
Symptoms of High Levels
Symptoms of high levels of Omega-3/Omega-6 Ratio are not typically noticeable, as this is a measure of dietary intake rather than a condition with specific symptoms.
If Your Levels are Low
A low Omega-3/Omega-6 ratio might mean that your body has an imbalance between these two essential fatty acids. This can happen if you eat a lot of Omega-6 rich foods, like processed foods and vegetable oils, and not enough Omega-3 rich foods, such as fish and flaxseeds. Some medications, like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), could also affect this balance. When there's an imbalance, your body might be more prone to inflammation, which can have an impact on your heart health and brain function.
Symptoms of Low Levels
Symptoms of low levels of Omega-3/Omega-6 Ratio could include fatigue, poor memory, dry skin, heart problems, mood swings or depression, and circulation issues.

Hey Practitioners! Ready to become a world class gut health expert? Join Jeannie Gorman, MS, CCN, for a Free Live Class that dives into how popular diets impact the gut microbiome, the clinical dietary needs of your gut, biomarkers to test to analyze gut health, and gain a clear understanding of the Doctor’s Data GI360™ profile. Register here.

Test for

Omega-3/Omega-6 Ratio

Order, track, and receive results from 30+ labs in one place.