Total Omega-3

Total Omega-3

What's

Total Omega-3

Total Omega-3 refers to a group of essential fatty acids that your body needs but can't make on its own. These important nutrients, mainly found in fish and some plants, are crucial for keeping your heart, brain, and eyes healthy. They also play a key role in maintaining the structure and function of cell membranes and help control inflammation in the body. Omega-3s are typically divided into three types: ALA (alpha-linolenic acid), EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), each with unique benefits. In short, Total Omega-3 is a measure of these vital nutrients in your body, which contribute to overall health and wellbeing.

If Your Levels Are High

Having higher than normal Total Omega-3 levels might mean that you're consuming a good amount of omega-3 rich foods or taking supplements. This can come from eating fatty fish, flaxseeds, chia seeds, walnuts, and other sources of omega-3. Some medications, like those used to lower triglycerides, can also cause an increase in omega-3 levels. While it's important to have enough omega-3s for overall health, having too much compared to omega-6 fatty acids in your body could potentially affect how your body functions.

Symptoms of High Levels

Symptoms of high levels of Total Omega-3 are generally rare, but in some cases, they could include a fishy aftertaste, nausea, or loose stools.

If Your Levels are Low

Having low Total Omega-3 levels might mean that your diet doesn't have enough of these essential fatty acids. This can happen if you're not eating enough Omega-3 rich foods like fatty fish, walnuts, flaxseeds, and chia seeds. Your lifestyle could also play a part, such as eating too many processed foods or having a diet high in Omega-6 fatty acids. Some people might have a harder time converting ALA, the plant-based Omega-3, into the more active forms, EPA and DHA, because of their genes. It's also possible that certain medications, like cholesterol-lowering drugs, could affect your Omega-3 levels.

Symptoms of Low Levels

Symptoms of low levels of Total Omega-3 could include dry skin, brittle hair, difficulty concentrating, fatigue, and joint discomfort.

See References

Test for

Omega-3 and -6 Fatty Acids by Access Med Labs

Whole Blood

This test measures Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids. Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids are used to monitor patients on omega-3 supplementation/therapy to determine treatment efficacy.

Omega-3 and -6 Fatty Acids by Access Labcorp Draw

Whole Blood

This test measures Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids to monitor patients with cardiovascular disease and those on omega-3 supplementation/therapy to determine treatment efficacy.

NutriStat Basic Profile by US BioTek

Whole Blood

Urine

Serum

The NutriStat Basic Profile is a comprehensive nutritional assessment that evaluates 178 nutritional markers from 27 testing categories, providing insights into nutrient deficiencies and imbalances.

NutriStat Complete Profile by US BioTek

Whole Blood

Urine

Serum

The NutriStat Complete Profile is a comprehensive nutritional assessment that evaluates 242 nutritional markers from 34 testing categories, providing insights into nutrient deficiencies and imbalances.

TruAge + TruHealth by TruDiagnostic

Blood Spot

This collection combines two groundbreaking epigenetic tests—TruAge and TruHealth—into one powerful kit to give you a full spectrum view of your body’s health. With 185+ biomarkers measured, this kit tells you how fast you’re aging and how your nutritional and biological systems are performing, so you can make targeted changes to improve.

CONTENTS

What is it?

High Levels

Low Levels

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