Fat is necessary for cell membranes, nerve coverings, hormone production, vitamin absorption, and more. Most of us get a lot of fat in our diet, but it usually is not the quality fat we should be getting. We need to eat more “good” fats from flax seed, olive, vegetable, and nut oils (omega- 3, 6, and 9 fats respectively) and less saturated oils and trans fats (or hydrogenated oils) contained in processed foods.
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.
The balance of eicosanoic fatty acids is critical for proper supply of the prostanoid and leukotriene 1-, 2-, and 3-series local hormones that control a host of cellular functions and responses.
The EPA:DGLA ratio can help fine tune intake of series-1 and -3 eicosanoid precursors.
The EPA/DGLA ratio will be low when DGLA is elevated relative to EPA, indicating a need for EPA sources like Algae oil. You do not have to use fish oil. Keep in mind that fish get it from the algae they consume.
Understand and improve your laboratory results with our health dashboard.
Upload your lab reports and get interpretation today.
Our technology helps to understand, combine, track, organize, and act on your medical lab test results.
When the ratio is high, sources of DGLA (black currant or evening primrose oil) are indicated.
Interpret Your Lab Results
Upload your lab report and we’ll interpret and provide you with recomendations today.
Get StartedGet Started With Our Personal Plan
Advanced Plan
Unlimited Plan
Are You a Health Professional?
Get started with our professional plan
Welcome to Healthmatters Pro.
Save time on interpreting lab results with the largest database of biomarkers online. In-depth research on any test at your fingertips, all stored and tracked in one place. Learn more
Pro Plan
for health professionals
$45 per month
At HealthMatters, we're committed to maintaining the security and confidentiality of your personal information. We've put industry-leading security standards in place to help protect against the loss, misuse, or alteration of the information under our control. We use procedural, physical, and electronic security methods designed to prevent unauthorized people from getting access to this information. Our internal code of conduct adds additional privacy protection. All data is backed up multiple times a day and encrypted using SSL certificates. See our Privacy Policy for more details.
11-Eicosenoic, 25-Hydroxyvitamin D, a-Hydroxybutyric Acid, AA/EPA, Alpha Linolenic, alpha-Tocopherol, Aluminum, Arachidic, Arachidonic, Arsenic, Behenic, Beta-Carotene, Cadmium, Calcium, Capric, Coenzyme Q10 (Genova), Copper, Creatinine, Dihomogamma Linolenic (Genova), Docosadienoic (Genova), Docosahexaenoic (Genova), Docosapentaenoic (Genova), Docosatetraenoic (Genova), Eicosadienoic (Genova), Eicosapentaenoic (Genova), EPA/DGLA (Genova), Gamma Linolenic (Genova), gamma-Tocopherol (Genova), Glyceric Acid, Glycolic, Heneicosanoic (Genova), Heptadecanoic (Genova), Hexacosanoic (Genova), LA/DGLA, Lauric (Genova), Lead (Genova), Lignoceric (Genova), Linoleic (Genova), Lipid Peroxides (Genova), Magnesium (Genova), Mead (Genova), Mercury (Genova), Myristic (Genova), Myristoleic (Genova), Nervonic (Genova), Nonadecanoic (Genova), Oleic (Genova), Oxalic Acid, Palmitelaidic, Palmitic (Genova), Palmitoleic (Genova), Pentadecanoic (Genova), Potassium (Genova), Selenium (Genova), Stearic (Genova), Total C:18 Trans, Tricosanoic (Genova), Triene/Tetraene (Genova), Vaccenic, Vitamin A (Retinol) (Genova), Zinc (Genova)