Essential and Metabolic Fatty Acids Markers (RBCs)

Essential fatty acids are classified into fat "families": omega 3 fats and omega 6 fats.

When assessing fatty acids in RBCs, Genova measures a weighted percentage of fatty acids taken up into the erythrocyte wall. The total omega-6 percentage is a combined total weight percentage calculated by adding together each of the measured omega-6

When assessing fatty acids in RBCs, Genova measures a weighted percentage of fatty acids taken up into the erythrocyte wall. The total omega-9 percentage is a combined total weight percentage calculated by adding up each of the measured omega-9s. In

When assessing fatty acids in RBCs, Genova measures a weighted percentage of fatty acids taken up into the erythrocyte wall. The total saturated fatty acid percentage is a combined total weight percentage calculated by adding up each of the measured

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 inc

Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is plant-based essential omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids that must be obtained through the diet.

This test measures the ratio of arachidonic acid (AA) to eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) in plasma. This ratio of the principle omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids is a measure of the body’s eicosanoid balance. Balancing these eicosanoids in the body i

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.

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.

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 pes

Behenic acid is a saturated fatty acids, in particular it is part of the group of very long chain fatty acids (VLCFAs).

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, emis

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 i

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 li

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

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is one of the omega-3 fatty acids.

Docosapentaenoic acid, or DPA, is a lesser known member of the omega-3 family.

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, mo

Eicosadienoic acid is the elongation product of Gamma linolenic acid (GLA) and the direct precursor of Dihomogamma Linolenic (DGLA).

Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) is a Polyunsaturated Omega-3 Fatty Acid and is involved in the regulation of inflammatory processes and prevention of blood clots.

Elaidic acid is the most commonly found trans fatty acid found in cell membranes.

The fatty acid profile shows the balance of fats and their metabolites in plasma. Your overall balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fats is represented by the ratios of AA/EPA(arachidonic acid/eicosapentaenoic acid) and EPA/DGLA.

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 o

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.

Heptadecanoic 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.

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.

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

Lignoceric Acid is a saturated fatty acids, in particular it is part of the group of very long chain fatty acids (VLCFAs).

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.

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.

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 th

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

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 o

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.

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 fat

Oleic acid is the most common monounsaturated fatty acid in human cells.

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 Sc

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 Sc

Omega-6:Omega-3 ratio is calculated by dividing the sum of all the omega-6 fatty acids by the sum of all the omega-3 fatty acids. Omega 6 and 3 are two essential fats that are categorized as polyunsaturated fatty acids, or PUFAs for shor

Palmitic acid is a saturated fatty acid. Palmitic and stearic acids are significant markers for high consumption of saturated fats.

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 le

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 product

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 a

Stearic acid is a saturated fatty acid that is two carbon atoms longer than palmitic acid.

The stearic acid/oleic acid ratio from red blood cells is a marker for the presence of malignant tissue, particularly with prostate cancer. In tumors, the net result of changes in fatty acid metabolism is low stearic acid and high oleic acid, causing

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:

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.

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.

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 u