Essential and Metabolic Fatty Acids Markers (RBCs)
The Essential & Metabolic Fatty Acids Analysis (EMFA) assesses the critical balance between essential Omega-6/Omega-3 fatty acids, as well as additional key fatty acids important in metabolism and cellular function. Fatty acid imbalances can be a causative factor in a variety of chronic health conditions. The Essential and Metabolic Fatty Acids Analysis can indicate the need for fatty acid supplementation and/or dietary modification.
% Omega 3s
Optimal range: 3.8 - 20 %% Omega 6s
Optimal range: 30.5 - 39.7 %% Omega 9s
Optimal range: 13.3 - 16.6 %% Saturated Fats
Optimal range: 39.8 - 43.6 %8-OHdG (urine)
Optimal range: 0 - 15 mcg/g Creat.
8-hydroxy- 2’-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) is a byproduct of oxidative damage to guanine bases in DNA.
It is used as a biomarker for oxidative stress and carcinogenesis. It has been studied to estimate DNA damage after exposure to carcinogens including tobacco smoke, asbestos fibers, heavy metals, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
LEARN MOREa-Linolenic
Optimal range: 0.09 - 1 wt %
Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is plant-based essential omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids that must be obtained through the diet.
LEARN MOREAA / EPA
Optimal range: 12 - 125 RatioArachidic
Optimal range: 0.22 - 0.35 wt %
Arachidic acid (also called eicosanoic acid) is a long-chain saturated fatty acid. It is the elongation product of stearic acid and can be utilized as an energy source to build membranes.
LEARN MOREArachidonic
Optimal range: 15 - 21 wt %
Arachidonic acid is an inflammatory omega-6 fatty acid. Our bodies produce this nutrient, and its excess may lead to inflammatory diseases and mood disorders.
LEARN MOREArsenic (whole blood)
Optimal range: 0 - 13.7 mcg/L
Sources:
Found in water, air, soil, cigarettes, and cosmetics. Food grown in contaminated water sources, such as rice and vegetables, or fish, are a common source. Major sources of occupational exposureis the manufacture of pesticides, herbicides, and agricultural products.
90% of all arsenic produced is used as a preservative for wood to prevent rotting and decay. Copper chromated arsenate (CCA), also known as pressure-treated wood, wasphased out for residential use in 2003, but wood treated prior could still be in existing structures. CCA-treated wood is still used in industrial applications.
Organic arsenic found in seafood is relatively nontoxic, while the inorganic forms are toxic.
LEARN MOREBehenic
Optimal range: 0.92 - 1.68 wt %
Behenic acid is a saturated fatty acids, in particular it is part of the group of very long chain fatty acids (VLCFAs).
LEARN MORECadmium (whole blood)
Optimal range: 0 - 1.22 mcg/L
SOURCES:
Found in food such as shellfish, leafy vegetables, rice, cereals, cocoa butter, dried seaweed, and legumes. Also present in nickel cadmium batteries, cigarette smoke (including second-hand smoke), insecticides, fertilizer, motor oil, emissions and exhaust. Drinking water, air, and occupational exposures are also seen.
NUTRIENT INTERACTIONS:
Iron deficiency is associated with higher cadmium burden and absorption of cadmium may increase during very early stages of iron deficiency. Zinc deficiency is associated with an increase in Cadmium, as a result of the antagonistic relationship between the elements.
Dietary cadmium inhibits GI absorption of calcium and interferes with calcium and vitamin D metabolism. Low dietary calcium stimulates synthesis of calcium- binding protein which enhances Cadmium absorption.
LEARN MORECoenzyme Q10, Ubiquinone (serum)
Optimal range: 0.43 - 1.49 mcg/mL
Coenzyme Q10 (ubiquinone, Q10 or UQ) is structurally related to vitamin E and is part of the mitochondrial respiratory chain in many organisms. It is essential for cellular energy production and also acts as an antioxidant in the body. Coenzyme Q10 is ingested with food, but it can also be produced inside the human body. Due to their high levels of energy turnover, heart, lungs and liver exhibit particularly high concentrations of Q10.
LEARN MORECopper (plasma)
Optimal range: 75.3 - 192 mcg/dL
Copper is part of enzymes, which are proteins that help biochemical reactions occur in every cell. Copper is involved in the absorption, storage and metabolism of iron. The symptoms of a copper deficiency are similar to iron deficiency anemia. The liver makes a special protein, ceruloplasm, to transport copper and help convert iron to a form that can be used by other tissues.
LEARN MOREDihomo-g-linolenic
Optimal range: 1.19 - 10 wt %
Dihomogamma Linolenic Acid (DGLA) is the elongation product of Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA).
Dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA) is a fatty acid and part of the Omega-6 fatty acids family. Those fatty acids can predominatentely be found in vegetable oils, grains, most meats and dairy.
DGLA is a strong anti-inflammatory.
LEARN MOREDocosahexaenoic
Optimal range: 2.1 - 10 wt %Docosapentaenoic
Optimal range: 1.14 - 3 wt %Docosatetraenoic
Optimal range: 1.5 - 4.2 wt %
Docosatetraenoic acid is also known as Adrenic acid / Adrenate.
Docosatetraenoic acid is a member of the class of compounds known as very long-chain fatty acids.
Fatty acids belong to one of three types or families: saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated. These names describe the structure of the fatty acid in terms of whether it is fully loaded with hydrogen.
LEARN MOREEicosadienoic
Optimal range: 0 - 0.26 wt %
Eicosadienoic acid is the elongation product of Gamma linolenic acid (GLA) and the direct precursor of Dihomogamma Linolenic (DGLA).
LEARN MOREEicosapentaenoic
Optimal range: 0.16 - 5 wt %
Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) is a Polyunsaturated Omega-3 Fatty Acid and is involved in the regulation of inflammatory processes and prevention of blood clots.
LEARN MOREElaidic
Optimal range: 0 - 0.59 wt %g-Linolenic
Optimal range: 0.03 - 0.13 wt %
Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) is an omega-6 fatty acid. The body converts linoleic acid to gamma-linolenic acid and then to arachidonic acid (AA).
You can get gamma-linolenic acid from several plant-based oils, including evening primrose oil (EPO), borage oil, and black currant seed oil. Most of these oils also contain some linoleic acid.
Gamma-linolenic acid contains 18 carbons and 3 double bonds. It is synthesized from linoleic acid by adding a double bond using the delta-6-desaturase enzyme. This enzymatic reaction is very slow and further impaired in vitamin and mineral deficiencies such as zinc and cobalt. Stress, smoking, alcohol, and systemic inflammatory conditions can also slow this conversion.
LEARN MOREGlutathione (whole blood)
Optimal range: 669 - 5000 micromol/L
Glutathione (GSH) is composed of cysteine, glutamine & glycine. GSH is a source of sulfate and plays a key role in antioxidant activity and detoxification of toxins.
LEARN MORELead (whole blood)
Optimal range: 0 - 2.81 mcg/dL
Lead toxicity causes paralysis and pain in the extremities due to effects on demyelinization, axonal degeneration, and presynaptic block.
Lead toxicity commonly affects sensory, visual, auditory, and cerebellar (coordination) functions, reflecting its impact on the nervous system. Normocytic, sideroblastic anemia is the consequence of lead’s inhibiting effects on enzymes in the heme biosynthesis pathway.
LEARN MORELignoceric
Optimal range: 2.1 - 3.8 wt %
Lignoceric Acid is a saturated fatty acids, in particular it is part of the group of very long chain fatty acids (VLCFAs).
LEARN MORELinoleic
Optimal range: 10.5 - 16.9 wt %
Linoleic acid is by far the most abundant polyunsaturated fatty acid in most human tissues. Linoleic acid is an essential fatty acid, and low levels indicate dietary insufficiency.
LEARN MORELinoleic / DGLA
Optimal range: 6 - 12.3 Ratio
LA/DGLA is a fatty acid ratio.
LA/DGLA stands for linolenic acid (=LA) and dihomogammalinolenic acid (=DGLA).
The LA/DGLA ratio is a biomarker that can indicate functional zinc deficiency.
LEARN MORELipid Peroxides (urine)
Optimal range: 0 - 10 micromol/g Creat.
Lipid peroxides are oxidative degradation products of lipids, generated by a free radical chain reaction. Because of their abundance of reactive hydrogens, polyunsaturated fatty acids are highly susceptible to lipid peroxidation, which compromises the integrity and function of the cell membrane in which they reside.
LEARN MOREMagnesium (RBC)
Optimal range: 30.1 - 56.5 mcg/gManganese (whole blood)
Optimal range: 3 - 16.5 mcg/L
Manganese is a mineral that plays a key role in forming connective tissue, sex hormones, making blood clotting factors, bone health, wound healing and central nervous system function. Manganese is also essential for the absorption of calcium, as well as glucose regulation, carbohydrate, fat, cholesterol and amino acid metabolism.
Chronic exposure to manganese (as in industrial settings) may cause effects on the central nervous system.
Toxic exposure may occur from dry cells, fungicide (maneb), and in the steel or chemical industries. Manganese is present in the coloring agents for glass and soap, in paints, varnish and enamel, and in linoleum.
It is used in the manufacturing of chlorine gas and in lead-free gasoline. Industrial manganese poisoning has been recognized since 1837.
LEARN MOREMargaric
Optimal range: 0.22 - 0.37 wt %
Margaric acid is also known as heptadecanoic acid. It is a 17-carbon saturated fatty acid (17:0). Food sources mainly include milk and dairy products, though it can be endogenously made as well.
Most research in fatty acid metabolism has focused on even-chain fatty acids since they represent >99% of total human lipid concentration. For years, it had been concluded that odd chain saturated fatty acids (OCSFAs) were of little significance and used only as internal standards in laboratory methodology. However, there is now a realization that they are, in fact, relevant and important physiologically.
LEARN MOREMercury (whole blood)
Optimal range: 0 - 4.35 mcg/L
Mercury is an element that is found all over the earth, in soil, rocks, and water. The issue with mercury is that if humans are exposed to it, depending on the amount, route, and duration of exposure, mercury can be toxic to humans.
LEARN MORENervonic
Optimal range: 2.1 - 3.5 wt %
Nervonic acid is a monounsaturated fatty acid. Nervonic acid has the longest carbon chain of all monounsaturated fatty acids. It is found in highest concentrations in nerve membranes, particularly in myelin sheaths, which are sleeves of fatty tissue that protect your nerve cells.
LEARN MOREOleic
Optimal range: 10 - 13 wt %Omega 3 Index
Optimal range: 4 - 16 index
The omega-3 index is defined as the RBC percentage sum of EPA+DHA, both of which are important antiinflammatory omega-3 fatty acids. This index was first proposed in 2004 as a cardiovascular risk factor by Dr. Willian S. Harris and Dr. Clemons von Schacky as a way of assessing risk for coronary artery disease and related death. Since then, it has been repeatedly verified as an important cardiovascular biomarker, and studied in other diseases including obesity, mood disorder, and insulin resistance.
A reasonable target for the omega-3 index is >8% to decrease disease risk. Drs. Harris and von Schacky stratified risk zones as high risk (8%). These percentages have been continually verified in outcome studies and risk assessment.
Dietary intervention to increase the omega-3 index should include oily fish, flax, walnut, and chia. Fish oil supplementation can also be considered.
LEARN MOREOmega 6s / Omega 3s
Optimal range: 3.4 - 10.7 RatioPalmitic
Optimal range: 18 - 23 wt %
Palmitic acid is a saturated fatty acid.
Palmitic and stearic acids are significant markers for high consumption of saturated fats.
LEARN MOREPalmitoleic
Optimal range: 0 - 0.64 wt %
Palmitoleic acid is a monounsaturated fatty acid. Palmitoleic acid is the desaturation product of palmitic acid. Since palmitic acid is predominant in human tissues where desaturase enzyme activity is present, one might expect relatively high levels of palmitoleic acid.
LEARN MOREPentadecanoic
Optimal range: 0.07 - 0.15 wt %
Pentadecanoic acid is an odd numbered fatty acid with a 15-carbon backbone (15:0) and widely considered as one biomarker to assess dairy consumption/intake. It is not normally synthesized by humans, but is found in trace amounts in dairy products (milk fat) and ruminant meat fat.
LEARN MOREPotassium (RBC)
Optimal range: 2220 - 3626 mcg/gSelenium (whole blood)
Optimal range: 109 - 330 mcg/L
Selenium is an essential element. It is a cofactor required to maintain activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), an enzyme that catalyzes the degradation of organic hydroperoxides. The absence of selenium correlates with loss of GSH-Px activity and is associated with damage to cell membranes due to accumulation of free radicals.
LEARN MOREStearic
Optimal range: 14 - 17 µmol/L
Stearic acid is a saturated fatty acid that is two carbon atoms longer than palmitic acid.
LEARN MORETin (whole blood)
Optimal range: 0 - 0.39 mcg/L
Sources of exposure:
Toothpastes, perfumes, soaps, food additives and dyes, plastics, food packages, plastic pipes, pesticides, paints, and pest repellents; air, water, and soil near places where naturally present in rocks.
Health Effects:
Stomach ache, anemia, liver and kidney problems, reproduction, skin and eye irritation, affects brain and nervous system
LEARN MORETricosanoic
Optimal range: 0.12 - 0.18 wt %
Tricosanoic Acid is an odd chain fatty acid.
Fatty acids with odd numbers of carbon atoms are produced primarily by initiating the synthetic series with the three carbon compound, propionic acid.
LEARN MOREVaccenic
Optimal range: 0 - 1.13 wt %
Vaccenic acid is a naturally occurring trans-fatty acid. Vaccenic acid is called this way as it is found in cow’s milk. The latin word vacca means cow.
LEARN MOREZinc (plasma)
Optimal range: 64.3 - 159.4 mcg/dL
Zinc is a primary nutrient that we need to thrive. It’s used in a variety of functions through the body including wound healing and creation of DNA. In North America, zinc deficiencies are rare and an unusually high level of zinc in the blood usually indicates iron deficiency or lead poisoning.
LEARN MORE