Why people need fatty acids

Fatty acids are organic molecules. Most of the fat we consume is in the form of fatty acids.
The body uses fatty acids in many ways: to produce and store energy, as starting substances for countless (intermediate) metabolic products, as components of the cell membrane, and much more. Every fatty acid in the body has a specific function and is either used in a targeted manner or, if necessary, “synthesized” by the body for certain processes (i.e. a complex compound is built up from simple components).

However, there are certain fatty acids that the body cannot synthesize or build itself – namely, the so-called “essential” fatty acids such as Linoleic Acid (an Omega-6 Fatty Acid) and Alpha-Linoleic Acid (an Omega-3 Fatty Acid). These “essential” fatty acids are vital, and in order to optimize the fatty acid composition of the body’s own cells, they must be supplied through food or dietary supplements (ideally regularly). They are extremely important because they influence cell functionality and keep cells healthy, and healthy cells are crucial for the body’s organs and physiological processes. Fatty acids promote health – this is the reason why Omegametrix has dedicated itself entirely to fatty acid analysis.

Omega-3 and Trans Fatty Acids: our focus

The two marine Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA), are crucial for life. However, their levels in cells vary greatly from person to person. EPA and DHA are the most biologically active Omega-3 Fatty Acids. This is why, together with testing the levels of harmful Trans Fatty Acids from the food industry – namely Trans-Oleic Acid and Trans-Linoleic Acids – EPA and DHA are the focus here at Omegametrix. Not all Trans Fatty Acids are harmful. Naturally occurring Trans Fatty Acids found in milk and dairy products are considered healthy because they are associated with increased longevity.

The aim of the Omegametrix Method is to determine the proportion of marine Omega-3 Fatty Acids and harmful Trans Fatty Acids in red blood cells in a standardized way. While marine Omega-3 Fatty Acids have a positive effect on health, harmful Trans Fatty Acids have negative effects. For the interest of your own health, it is essential to keep the two levels in the optimum range. Omegametrix can determine your individual levels and inform you on how to achieve the optimal ranges.

Answers to questions about Omega-3 and Trans Fatty Acids

A standardized analysis of 26 fatty acids:
our Omegametrix Method as a cornerstone in building knowledge

Without a standardized analytical method, there is no way to compare data and therefore no opportunity to decipher the medical significance of fatty acids. With our quality-assured and strictly standardized Omegametrix Method, we obtain the best possible data on the 26 fatty acids selected by us and in doing so cover over 99% of the relevant fatty acids in the body.

These 26 fatty acids form the basis for our two HS-Indices, the HS-Omega-3 Index® and the HS-Trans Index®. Thanks to our standardized analytical method, our data is extremely informative. This enables us to gain valuable insights into the importance of fatty acids in the body and their influence on cell quality and health.

Influencing and Interfering Factors

Measurement Technique:

FID gas chromatography

Matrix:

erythrocytes, dried blood

Method:

Omegametrix Method

Analyte (measurement parameter):

26 fatty acids (%)

Laboratory Services

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

  • Alpha-Linolenic Acid (ALA, 18:3ω3)
  • Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA, 20:5ω3)
  • Docosapentaenoic Acid (DPA, 22:5ω3)
  • Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA, 22:6ω3)

Omega-6 Fatty Acids

  • Linoleic Acid (LA, 18:2ω6)
  • Gamma-Linolenic Acid (GLA, 18:3ω6)
  • Eicosadienoic Acid (C20:2ω6)
  • Dihomo-γ-Linolenic Acid (DGLA, 20:3ω6)
  • Arachidonic Acid (AA, 20:4ω6)
  • Docosatetraenoic Acid (DTA, 22:4ω6)
  • Docosapentaenoic Acid(22:5ω6)

Omega-7 Fatty Acids

  • Palmitoleic Acid (16:1ω7)

Omega-9 Fatty Acids

  • Oleic Acid (18:1ω9)
  • Gadoleic Acid (20:1ω9)
  • Nervonic Acid (24:1ω9)

Saturated Fatty Acids

  • Myristic Acid (14:0)
  • Palmitic Acid (16:0)
  • Stearic Acid (18:0)
  • Arachidic Acid (C20:0)
  • Behenic Acid (C22:0)
  • Lignoceric Acid (24:0)

Trans Fatty Acids

  • Trans-Palmitoleic Acid (16:1ω7t)
  • Trans-Oleic Acid (18:1t)
  • Trans-Linoleic Acid (18:2ω6tt)
  • Trans-Linoleic Acid (18:2ω6tc)
  • Trans-Linoleic Acid (18:2ω6ct)
CloseLaboratory Service

This is the HS-Omega-3 Index®

The HS-Omega-3 Index® was invented, defined, and developed by Prof. Dr. von Schacky and a colleague to indicate the proportion of the two marine Omega-3 Fatty acids EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid) and DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid) in important organs, such as the heart.

To do this, we use our Omegametrix Method to measure the 26 most important fatty acids in the cell membrane of red blood cells and indicate the proportion of EPA and DHA as a percentage. The optimum target range for the HS-Omega-3 Index® is 8 – 11 %.

This is the HS-Trans Index®

The HS-Trans Index® was invented, defined, and developed by Prof. Dr. von Schacky to indicate the proportion of harmful Trans Fatty Acids (Trans-Oleic Acid and Trans-Linoleic Acids) in the body.
To do this, we use our Omegametrix Method to measure the 26 most important fatty acids in the cell membrane of red blood cells and indicate the proportion of harmful Trans Fatty Acids as a percentage. The optimum target range for the HS-Trans Index® is less than 1.04%. Naturally occurring healthy Trans Fatty Acids are not part of our HS-Trans Index®.

Answers to questions about the Omegametrix Method and HS-Indices can be found here

Impacts on human health: fields of action

Fatty acids are a component in every cell in the body and significantly influence cell quality and function. This is why it is worth keeping your own cell membranes’ HS-Omega-3 Index® in the optimum range, to promote positive effects on your health and longevity.

Many health benefits have been demonstrated in areas impacting quality of life. Below, you can learn about the most important fields of action and get to know the extensive and diverse influences of fatty acids on the body and psyche.

Heart The risk of sudden cardiac arrest or other cardiovascular diseases such as a heart attack can be reduced with an optimized HS-Omega-3 Index®. Heart rate, blood pressure, and levels of inflammation can be lowered, certain blood lipids can be improved, and coronary arteries are kept unobstructed. Brain The brain consists largely of Omega-3 Fatty Acids. It needs an optimal HS-Omega-3 Index® to be built and maintained, and to regulate blood circulation and prevent inflammation. A level in the optimum range has a positive effect on brain formation and development before birth and into adulthood. Strokes can be prevented and cognitive performance, such as memory or abstract thinking, maintained or improved. An optimized HS-Omega-3 Index® is the perfect prerequisite for long-term maintenance of a healthy brain. Psyche Raising the HS-Omega-3 Index® to the optimal range through the intake of EPA and DPA improves many psychiatric and mental illnesses. This applies to major depression in adults and adolescents, bipolar depression and psychoses, ADHD in children, burn-out and post-traumatic stress responses, as well as other mental health issues such as emotional lability or hostile behavior. Eye The retina is the tissue with the highest DHA content in the body. Therefore, a HS-Omega-3 Index® within the target range of 8-11% can have a positive effect on various conditions and diseases of the eye, and delay or improve them. These include for example “dry eye syndrome” and “inflammaging“ (ageing of the retina’s pigment layer caused by inflammation). Muscles & Sport Active people and athletes often have a HS-Omega-3 Index® below the optimal target range of 8-11% because their bodies convert EPA and DHA into calories. Raising the level to the target range has many positive effects, such as slowing or stopping age-related muscle loss, reducing muscle soreness, and lowering the heart rate under stress. Performance is also improved, as can be seen from faster reaction times - something that in turn helps reduce the risk of injuries. Pregnancy During pregnancy, placenta adjusts the growing baby to a HS-Omega-3 Index® of around 10%. This usually results in the mother becoming deficient in Omega-3 Fatty Acids. It is therefore advisable that pregnant woman ensure a sufficient supply of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in order to optimize her HS-Omega-3 Index®. Doing so helps prevent premature labor, lowers the incidence of perinatal mortality, and reduces birth complications for both mother and child. Maternal postpartum depression and infant susceptibility to asthma and allergies can be reduced, too. The child’s cognitive development is also promoted. It is extremely important during pregnancy to regularly measure your own HS-Omega-3 Index®, as an excessively high Index can also lead to complications: an unwanted prolongation of pregnancy, increased risk of hemorrhage, or weakening of the positive effects on infant cognitive development. Fertility We recommend both partners achieve a HS-Omega-3 Index® in the target range even before pregnancy. This is because EPA and DHA improve sperm quality in men. In women, a higher intake of EPA und DHA can increase fertility. Skin The latest data from a collaboration with the university clinic for dermatology at LMU Munich show that patients with acne have a low HS-Omega-3 Index®, with the severity of acne correlating negatively to the HS-Omega-3 Index® (i.e. low HS-Omega-3 Index®, increased severity). Raising the HS-Omega-3 Index® to the target range improves acne as well as other skin conditions. Other fields of action Omega-3 Fatty Acids are found in every cell in the body. An optimal HS-Omega-3 Index® therefore results in many positive health effects, for example fewer joint problems, reduced rates of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and interstitial lung disease, reduced reactivity to particulate matter, lower incidences of certain chronic inflammatory diseases, reduced occurrence of sleep apnea, fewer ripped tendons in the shoulder (rotator cuff tears), a reduction in personality disorders and antisocial behavior, reduced risk of illness, and better disease course in covid-19 cases, to name but a few.
Answers to questions on the fields of action can be found here.

Get tested now

Would you also like to experience the positive effects of an optimal fatty acid composition for yourself? Then have yourself tested using the Omegametrix method – it’s very easy.

Get tested

The importance of EPA and DHA in dogs, cats, and horses

In every blood sample taken from dogs, cats, and horses analyzed by Omegametrix, we were able to detect an HS-Omega-3 Index®. Just like humans, these animals cannot live without a minimal HS-Omega-3 Index®. Neither dogs, cats, nor horses are able to synthesize sufficient amounts of the marine Omega-3 Fatty Acids EPA or DHA from plant-based Alpha-Linolenic Acid (ALA). In addition, the brains of dogs, cats, and horses contain considerable amounts of DHA. From the sum of our findings it can be concluded: EPA and DHA are also vital for these animals.

Like humans, dogs, cats, and horses are therefore dependent on a sufficient supply of EPA and DHA. However, because every animal is different, only by measuring the HS-Omega-3 Index® can we provide clarity about individual levels of these important fatty acids and make improvements in animal health possible.

Impacts on dogs, cats, and horses

The most biologically active Omega-3 Fatty Acids (EPA and DHA) play a crucial role in the body of animals. An optimal supply of EPA and DHA can have a positive effect on almost all aspects of your pet’s life. For example, an optimal HS-Omega-3 Index® has been shown to help with both allergic dermatitis and other coat disorders.

Other positive effects include:

– Supports optimal functioning of heart, brain, muscle, and other organs
– Reduces joint problems (e.g. osteoarthritis)
– Benefits the development of young animals
– Improves cognitive abilities
– Reduces aggressive behavior
– Supports in cases of heart valve disease
– Helps with squamous gastric ulcers
– Improves lung function

Answers to questions about getting animals tested can be found here

Get your dog, cat, or horse tested now

Would you also like to promote your pet’s health? Then get it tested using the Omegametrix Method.

Get tested

Myths & facts - and our refutation

The current state of science regarding fatty acids and their importance is more advanced than many of the commonly held opinions and myths surrounding them. We, as the experts in fatty acid analysis, have gained extensive and valuable knowledge in the years since our foundation in 2007 – scientifically substantiated according to the most rigorous quality controls using our standardized Omegametrix Method. There are few who know as much about fatty acids as Omegametrix, and we are building on our research every day to dispel such myths and refute them with facts. Here you can find an initial selection.

von