- Omega-3 Index Basic
- Omega-3 Index Plus
- Omega-3 Index Complete
Omega-3s Make Your Heart Happy
As far as specific heart health benefits, the omega-3s EPA and DHA have been shown to lower blood triglyceride levels and blood pressure. They also stabilize the heart’s electrical system and quiet down the body’s inflammatory response, allowing it to recover from an initial inflammatory insult more quickly. Further, they reduce the chances of inappropriate blood clots forming and make the blood vessels less stiff and more flexible, which helps facilitate normal blood flow to the tissues.
But one of the most common questions about omega-3s is: Do they lower cholesterol? The simple answer is no; they don’t lower cholesterol. This is a popular misconception. Although both triglycerides and cholesterol are blood fats, omega-3s have only been shown to impact the former.
Omega-3s Make Your Heart Happy
As far as specific heart health benefits, the omega-3s EPA and DHA have been shown to lower blood triglyceride levels and blood pressure.
They also stabilize the heart’s electrical system and quiet down the body’s inflammatory response, allowing it to recover from an initial inflammatory insult more quickly. Further, they reduce the chances of inappropriate blood clots forming and make the blood vessels less stiff and more flexible, which helps facilitate normal blood flow to the tissues.
But one of the most common questions about omega-3s is: Do they lower cholesterol? The simple answer is no; they don’t lower cholesterol. This is a popular misconception. Although both triglycerides and cholesterol are blood fats, omega-3s have only been shown to impact the former.
How the Omega-3 Index Can Keep Your Heart Healthy
Why It’s Important to Test Your Omega-3 Level
OmegaQuant’s Dr. Harris believes it’s no coincidence that there is a widespread epidemic of heart disease around the world as well as a relative deficiency in omega-3 intake. In fact, a study published in 2016 showed that most people globally don’t consume enough omega-3s to reap their protective benefits. It showed that most countries have an Omega-3 Index of 6% or below —8% is optimal.
Recent research shows when it comes to omega-3s and heart health that more is definitely better. But how much more? Only an Omega-3 Index test can give you that answer.
Raise Your Omega-3 Index, Protect Your Heart
Keep in mind that there are so many factors that influence how your body absorbs these important fatty acids, which is why Omega-3 Index testing is so important. It helps you establish what your level is, so that you know where you are starting from. Knowing this information will help you figure out what dose will likely bring you to 8%. In fact, once you know your initial Omega-3 Index score, you can use it to calculate how much omega-3 EPA and DHA you will need to reach the optimal 8% target.
You may need to maintain the recommended EPA+DHA intake for 4-5 months in order to meet your goal Omega-3 Index.
Are You Getting Enough Vitamin D to Protect Your Heart?
Today, many experts are concerned not necessarily about vitamin D deficiency (typically below 20 ng/mL), but more so about insufficiency (typically below 30 ng/mL), which can put someone at higher risk of several of today’s most serious chronic diseases.
Experts believe that maintaining blood levels that are “sufficient” (typically between 30-100 ng/mL) is the range that offers the most health protection. In terms of heart health, one study showed that the lowest risk for cardiovascular disease starts at a vitamin D blood level of 30 ng/mL.
Are you a Healthcare Provider?
Learn more about how to bring the power of testing to your patients. A simple finger stick and a drop of blood will tell you a lot about their nutritional status and how that relates to their heart health.