The Omega-3 Index Plus Test is a blood test that measures the percentage of Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) in red blood cell membranes.
- This convenient test uses a single drop of blood to measure the Omega-3 Index.
- A finger prick provides enough blood to measure the Omega-3 Index.
- Testing is confidential, between the patient and their practitioner.
- A personalized report will be sent via email and will include individualized recommendations based on test results.
There are three phases of Omega-3 testing:
Measure: Eating fish or taking supplements does not guarantee your Omega-3 Index will be in the desirable range – it must be measured.
Modify: With your Omega-3 Index results you will have the tools to personalize your Omega-3 intake.
Monitor: Track how your dietary changes affect your Omega-3 Index by testing every 4-6 months.
An Omega-3 Index in the desirable range of 8-12% is an indicator of better overall health. As a part of an overall healthy lifestyle, an Omega-3 Index in the 8-12% range may help to maintain heart, brain, eye and joint health. Once you know your Omega-3 Index, you can personalize your diet to modify your Omega-3 Index in as little as 3-4 months.
By partnering with OmegaQuant — the premier lab for Omega-3 Index testing — Standard Process is better able to help people support conditions related to cardiovascular health^, brain health, and a healthy inflammatory process with its family of Omega-3 supplements.*
What are the Benefits of Knowing Your Omega-3 Index?
People with high Omega-3 levels support their heart, brain, eye and overall health.*
Heart Health: From a better functioning heart to healthier blood vessels, there are many reasons why people with higher Omega-3 blood levels have better heart health.*
Brain Health: Omega-3s play a role in brain health during every phase of life – from infant brain development to maintaining cognitive function as we age.*
Eye Health: Omega-3 DHA is a main component of eyes and having higher levels of Omega-3s is related to better eye health and visual development.*
Overall Health: There are multiple benefits to the mind and body in having a higher Omega-3 Index, all of which contribute to slower aging.*
Why Omega Quant?
Omega Quant is the world’s only CLIA-certified laboratory dedicated to fatty acid analysis
- Uses the same test that has been used in 200+ research studies
- Validated and standardized testing methods
- Recognized experts in fatty acid research
- Easy-to-understand reports based on well-established scientific studies
Frequently Asked Questions
A blood test that measures the amount of Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) in red blood cell membranes and expressed as a percent of total fatty acids.
There are 64 fatty acids in this model membrane, four of which are EPA or DHA.
4/64 = 6.25%
Omega-3 Index = 6.25%
A desirable Omega-3 Index is 8 – 12%.
Red Blood Cell EPA + DHA
(% of total fatty acids)
1. Register Test: Register your patient's kit online using the unique Kit ID and your email address.
2. Collect Sample: Follow simple instructions to collect your patient's sample.
3. Mail Sample: Place collection card in the mail in the pre-paid return envelope.
4. Get Results: In about 2 weeks, you will receive an email with your patient's personlized results including individualized recommendations that you can share with your patients.
5. Monitor: Monitor you patient's diet and their dietary changes and retest every 4 months to track levels over time.
Tracking health data is proven to help one reach their goals.
Omega-3, Omega-6 and trans fats all play a role in a patient’s health. Tracking these numbers can help optimize them for his/her health.
Your Omega-3 Index report provides the following results:
- The Omega-3 Index
- Omega-6/Omega-3 ratio
- AA/EPA ratio
- Trans Fat Index
These measures all respond to what one eats. Everyone responds differently to diet changes so the only way to know is to test. We recommend testing every 4 months to confirm you are getting the right mix of fats in your diet.
Your results. Supported by science.
- Actionable: Fatty acid levels start changing as soon as your patients change their diet and lifestyle and stabilize in 3-4 months.
- Personalized: Personalized dietary recommendations based off your patients’ test results.
- Certified: All samples are processed in a central CLIA-certified laboratory.
- Validated: The same validated and standardized sample processing methodology used in over 200 research studies.
- Compare: Percentile ranks show you how your patients compare to their peers.
View a
sample report here.
Increase EPA+DHA intake through diet and supplements. The amount one would need to take in order to raise his/her Omega-3 Index into the target range (>8%) depends in part on their starting level, but it cannot be predicted with certainty.
- Omega-3 Index between 4% and 8%
- It is recommended that one would increase his/her current EPA+DHA intake by 0.5 -1 gram (500 – 1000 mg) per day.
- This can be accomplished in two ways: eating more oily fish and/or taking fish oil supplements.
- Omega-3 Index less than 4%
- It is recommended that one would raise his/her intake by 1-3 g (1000 – 3000 mg) per day.
- Although this can be accomplished by eating more oily fish, fish oil supplements are usually necessary to achieve this level of EPA+DHA intake.
In OmegaQuant’s experience, to increase the Omega-3 Index by 4%, one would need to increase his/her intake by about 1 g of EPA+DHA per day for roughly 6 months. Alternatively, one could increase by 2 g/d and a 4% increase could be achieved more quickly. In other words, raising the Index is a function of both dose and time.
Whole Food Nutrient Solutions
Since 1929, Standard Process has been the visionary leader in whole food nutrient solutions. We apply systems thinking to holistic nutrition that empowers practitioners to transform lives. Dedicated to the whole food philosophy of our founder, Dr. Royal Lee, our goal is to carry on his mission to provide nutrients for the body that are as close as possible to how they are found in nature.
Our products include foods that are prepared in a way that safeguards their nutritional value. The majority of these ingredients are grown locally on our certified organic farm and may require chopping, dicing, juicing and/or drying for use in our products. The resulting whole food ingredients are then added to a formula that may include whole food extracts, animal tissue extracts and concentrates, botanicals, whole food isolates and synthetic ingredients. These highly complex combinations contain a variety of elements designed to trigger trophic effects that support the body’s healthy balance and wellness.*