Testing omega-3 status is becoming increasingly important to healthcare providers and consumers given the importance of these fatty acids to human health. Many experts believe there will come a day when omega-3 testing is as routine as vitamin D testing. But without standardized testing of omega-3 status, how do you know which omega-3 test to choose with all of the options out there? In this course, we will discuss the wide universe of omega-3 testing, so you can choose the one that is best for you.
Course Overview:
- Pros and cons of sample types used to measure omega-3 status — i.e., plasma, whole blood, red blood cell — and why that’s important
- What the different scores of the different tests mean — and how they correlate to each other
- Why the Omega-3 Index is better connected to health outcomes vs. other tests
- How to identify the ideal individual to test
- How availability, convenience, cost, and insurance coverage can be determining factors in choosing a test
Course Leader:
Kristina Harris Jackson, PhD, RD, Director of Research, OmegaQuant
Kristina Harris Jackson, PhD, RD, is the Director of Research for OmegaQuant Analytics, LLC, and an Assistant Professor (non-tenure) in the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine. Kristina received her PhD in Nutritional Sciences from Pennsylvania State University in 2013 and completed her training to become a Registered Dietitian in 2014. Kristina continues her research in the area of omega-3s in maternal health, helping create the Prenatal DHA test and the Mother’s Milk DHA test, and continues her clinical work by consulting with clients on their lab values from OmegaQuant. Kristina lives in Sioux Falls, South Dakota with her partner and two kids.
