Testing Omega-3s

One step forward in personalizing nutrition.

The emerging trend in medicine and in a parallel movement, nutrition, is personalization. One of the most important things learned from the sequencing of the human genome is that none of us are alike when it comes to the way our bodies function. One person may require more or less of one nutrient than another. One person may have a genetic trait that makes them more or less adept at metabolizing a particular drug.

It is likely that someone in your family is currently taking an omega-3 supplement. Recommendations usually suggest a maintenance dosage of about 1000 mg combined DHA/EPA intake daily, but is that really optimal for you?

It is not enough to merely consume given quantities of vital nutrients like omega-3s and assume that our bodies have access to the optimal levels. Ideally, each of us would monitor our levels to verify that enough of these precious raw materials are present and available to our bodies.

Seeking to personalize omega-3 use, krill-oil producer Aker BioMarine has formed the Omega-3 Index Project, a new initiative to bring more awareness to the health consequences of low omega-3 EPA and DHA levels. Created in collaboration with Bill Harris, PhD—an internationally recognized omega-3 expert and co-inventor of the Omega-3 Index Test—the project will help consumers and health practitioners identify, correct, and maintain healthy omega-3 levels. The key feature in the process is Dr. Harris’ test, which measures omega-3 levels in red blood cells from a single drop of blood.

After a successful pilot program in Australia, the Aker BioMarine team selected the United States’ largest natural products trade show—with its thousands of health-conscious attendees—to launch the Omega-3 Index Project in North America.