Know Your Ω™: Check Your Omega-3 Levels
Adults in most regions of the world have a low to very low status of omega-3 fatty acids – specifically eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), according to a new review published in the journal “Progress in Lipid Research.” The review’s findings aren’t surprising but they are worrying as these healthy fats are essential for health at all stages of life. Low levels of omega-3s in the bloodstream may be associated with a higher risk of brain, eye and heart conditions.
If you suspect your omega-3 intake levels are low, what can you do?
Check Your Levels
If you are wondering if you or a family member are getting enough omega-3s in your diet, a blood test – the Omega-3 Index – can measure the healthy fats in your red blood cells while assessing your risk of heart disease. Blood cells in the body live an average of four months, so the test results reflect eating habits over the previous one to four months.
This isn’t a customary test proactively given by your health care provider, but you can request one during your next visit.
Increase Your Intake
While the body needs omega-3s, it can’t produce them at significant levels on its own, so you need to get omega-3s from your diet. The American Heart Association recommends eating fatty fish twice a week, so look for creative and fun ways to add more salmon, mackerel, anchovies, sardines or tuna to your meal plan. If you’re not a fish fan, consider fortified foods for an added omega-3s. Contrary to popular belief, not all omega-3s are created equally, so look for EPA and DHA on the labels.
If you find that your omega-3 levels are low, consult your health care practitioner to discuss changing your diet or adding EPA and DHA dietary supplements.
Why do we need Omega-3s?
EPA and DHA support a healthy body at all stages of life – whether you are pregnant, nursing, a young child or an aging adult.
Omega-3s support maternal DHA status as well as fetal brain, eye and neurological system development during early life. In infants and children, omega-3s have been shown to be important for brain and eye development. There are numerous studies showing the health benefits of omega-3s for adults, including brain and eye function and overall heart health.
Learn more about your omega-3 levels
Know Your Ω™ is a trademark of DSM
Eye spy key nutrients that help support the health of our eyes. Focus on the types of omega-3s that are linked to eye health.
If you are looking to improve your heart health, you may find yourself swapping out the saltshaker for spices, eating whole foods in a variety of colors, and getting in more activity through exercise each day.
You need to fuel your mind with healthy food choices, just as you nourish the rest of your body. It’s important to check in to make sure you’re eating to support brain health
Avoiding the metaphorical mirror means that you’ll never notice when you have lipstick smudged across your face.
When it comes to heart health, one nutrient stands out from all the rest: omega-3 fatty acids
It is common to walk through aisles of food, beverage and supplement products and see packaging with multiple brand names and logos
What we eat can make a big difference to our heart health and with cardiovascular disease being one of the biggest killers globally
A new study has shown that getting people aged 55 and over to regularly consume omega-3 supplements could save health care systems and providers in the EU a total of €12.9 billion a year
According to a global survey of omega-3 fatty acids if you are an adult from the U.S. or Canada it is likely that your omega-3 blood levels would be categorized as “low” or “very low”.