Fatty Acid Blood Tests help assess risk for heart Disease

[Guest guest]

What makes us different? Read our Declaration of Journalistic Independence

Popular search terms: Breast Cancer | Diabetes | Osteoporosis | Weight loss | Depression | Vaccines

Fatty Acid Blood Tests Help Assess Risk for Heart Disease Tuesday, March 11, 2008 by: Teri Lee Gruss (see all articles by this author)| Key concepts: omega-3, fatty acids and omega-3 fatty acids

Email this article to a friend Printable Version

(NaturalNews) Back in 2004 two fatty acid researchers, PhD and Clemens von Schacky M.D., developed a lab test designed to measure the amount of omega-3 essential fatty acids in blood. They call this blood test the omega-3 index.The omega-3 index is designed to measure the percentage of omega-3 eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in blood. Dr. says that “Low intakes or blood levels of EPA and DHA are independently associated with increased risk of death from coronary heart disease”.According to an “Omega-3 Index of 8-10% reduces a person's relative risk of death from coronary heart disease by 40 percent, and from sudden cardiac death by 90 percent. An index of 4-8% indicates an intermediate risk, and levels from 0-4% a high risk.”The /Schacky findings were published in the medical journal Preventative Medicine (July 2004). Dr. recently published continued research findings in the journal Nutritional Pharmacology (March 2007).The medical community has long known that most Americans consume a lot more omega-6 fatty acids than they do omega-3 fatty acids. This causes a cellular imbalance in what is called the omega-6: omega-3 ratio. When this ratio is too high in omega-6 fatty acids it carries with it an increased risk for inflammation and an increased risk for heart disease.The Institute of Medicine has estimated that the average American has an omega-6: omega-3 fatty acid ratio of about 10:1. People that eat a diet high in manufactured and fast foods may well have a much higher and more dangerous omega-6: omega-3 ratio.Loren Cordain PhD, well known researcher and author of the Paleo Diet has estimated that the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids in the diet of early humans was 1:1. According to Cordain, “many researchers have shown that the ideal ratio for cardiovascular disease prevention and overall health should be below 4:1”.Foods high in omega-6 linoleic fatty acids include corn, cottonseed, soybean, safflower and sunflower oil. Black currant, borage and primrose oil are rich sources of gamma linoleic acid. Foods high in omega-3 linolenic acid include fatty fish and fish oils. Alpha linolenic acid is found in flax seed oil, however, it is generally accepted that fish and fish oils are our best sources for omega three fatty acids.The medical establishment knows that this fatty acid ratio imbalance increases our risk for heart disease. In 2002, the American Heart Association journal Circulation published the following study, Fish Consumption, Fish Oil, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, and Cardiovascular Disease which concluded that “A growing body of evidence from recent epidemiological studies indicates that linolenic acid is associated with a lower risk of MI and fatal ischemic”. Authors of the study added that “omega-3 fatty acids affect cardiac function (including antiarrhythmic effects), hemodynamics (cardiac mechanics), and arterial endothelial function”.So why aren’t doctors utilizing new blood tests, like the omega-3 index to reduce the risks and incidence of heart disease?While the medical establishment remains quagmired in an obsession with cholesterol as a risk for heart disease aren’t they missing an important and naturally modifiable risk factor by ignoring a knowledge of the fatty acid status of their patients?Metametrix Clinical Laboratory offers a test called the BLOODSPOT™ FATTY ACID PROFILE (Link to a sample report below). The test is described by Metametrix as an “easy-to-use test that measures key omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and calculates key indicators to establish your optimal balance. Trans fatty acids - the “bad” oils in processed foods - are also measured”.The BLOODSPOT™ FATTY ACID PROFILE test measures Arachidonic Acid (AA), Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA), Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA), AA/EPA Ratio and the Index of Omega-3 Fatty Acids (EPA + DHA%).Metametrix Labs recommends the fatty acid profile test for the following reasons. From their website:* Inflammatory balanceImproper fatty acid intake affects the balance of anti- and pro-inflammatory eicosanoids, increasing health risks.* StatinsAmong the top five drugs prescribed last year, statins have been shown to unfavorably alter this inflammatory balance.* Increased free radical productionConsumption of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) without increasing antioxidant intake will cause increased production of free radicals.* Immune suppression Excessive consumption of omega-3 fatty acids can suppress immune function, leading to infections and poor wound healing.You can ask your doctor to order the test for you. Or you can order it yourself through DirectLabs.According to , Ph.D. “We recommend the Omega-3 Index for anyone at increased risk for coronary heart disease. When you know your Omega-3 Index, you can implement dietary and lifestyle changes to significantly lower your risk for sudden cardiac death.” adds, “We are designed to thrive on a diet high in omega-3 fatty acids, but most Americans eat far too little fish to reap any benefits from the omega-3 oils. Even those who regularly eat fish or take fish oil supplements may not be getting enough for their unique, individual needs”.The Bloodspot™ Fatty Acid Profile gives us a useful tool to use to significantly and naturally reduce our risks for the most common cause of death in the U.S., heart disease, without pharmaceutical drugs.Shouldn’t our doctors and insurance companies familiarize themselves with fatty acid blood tests, the research behind them and the potential health benefit that could be realized by utilizing them?Sources:Sample report of the BLOODSPOT™ FATTY ACID PROFILE:((http://www.metametrix.com/DirectoryOfSe...)Fish Consumption, Fish Oil, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, and Cardiovascular DiseasePenny M. Kris-Etherton, PhD, RD; S. , PhD; Lawrence J. Appel, MD, MPH, for the Nutrition Committee:((http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content...) Circulation. 2002;106:2747.(www.saintlukeshealthsystem.org)The Paleo Diet Newsletter, Loren Cordain, PhD, 2/1/2008, Relevant Science, Omega 3 index as a sudden cardiac death risk factor((http://www.metametrix.com/content/About...) and((http://www.directlabs.com/PDFfiles/Bloo...)Link to a power point presentation by Dr. on omega-3 fatty acids and the omega-3 index:((http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/fish/fo...)((http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_o...)((http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_o...)

About the authorTeri Lee Gruss, MS Human Nutrition###

Also Posted Today • Landmark Study Finds Obesity to be More Dangerous to Health than Smoking• Health Ranger Radio Show Launches Nationwide on March 24th, Covering Health Freedom, Natural Remedies and More• Men with Chronic Heart Failure Can Still Have Sex without Dying, Say Medical Researchers• Plan To Spray Toxic Biological Chemicals Over San Francisco Announced• Solving the Great pH Riddle Permanently for Better Health

..

Health Product Companies We Recommend Read recommendations on supplement companies, health food manufacturers and personal care product makers that you can trust. Our 100% independent review list tells you who to trust and who to avoid in the natural health industry. Click to read.

This site is part of the Natural News Network © 2008 . Privacy | Terms All content posted on this site is commentary or opinion and is protected under Free Speech. Truth Publishing International, LTD. has full ownership of and takes sole responsibility for all content. Truth Publishing sells no health or nutritional products and earns no money from health product manufacturers or promoters. The information on this site is provided for educational and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice of any kind. Truth Publishing assumes no responsibility for the use or misuse of this material. Your use of this website indicates your agreement to these terms and those published here. All trademarks, registered trademarks and servicemarks mentioned on this site are the property of their respective owners.