Description
Fatty acids are some of the most important nutrients in the human diet. They are critical for forming the membranes that surround every single one of our cells. They’re also vital for the function of the brain and nervous system, and important precursors for the messengers involved in immunity and inflammation.
Imbalances in the ratio of fatty acids in our cells are associated with a wide variety of health problems, including:
- Inflammatory disorders
- Autoimmune disorders
- Frequent infections
- Arthritis and joint problems
- Cardiovascular disease
- Hormonal imbalances
- Dementia
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Behavioural problems
- Skin conditions such as eczema
- Brittle nails
- Dry hair
The two most important families of fatty acids are the omega-3 and omega-6 families. In an ideal world we should have somewhere between a 2:1 and a 4:1 ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fats in our cell membranes. The balance of these two types of fat is critical for ensuring a balance between immunity and inflammation.
In recent years the intake of omega-6 has dramatically increased due to the widespread use of vegetable oils, while consumption of omega-3 from foods such as oily fish has fallen. This means many people have an imbalance in their fatty acid profile.
Long term supplementation of fish oils or flaxseed oil can also cause an imbalance in the other direction.
Even those with a healthy dietary balance of fatty acids may not be efficiently metabolising their fatty acids correctly. This can lead to an imbalanced fatty acid ratio as a result of poor conversion.
The only true way to assess the balance of fatty acids is to measure the fatty acid balance in your cell membranes. The Essential & Metabolic Fatty Acids Analysis does this by measuring the fatty acids in your red blood cells. This gives an accurate picture of your fatty acid balance over the last three months.
This test is recommended for people who have:
- An inflammatory condition or immune imbalance
- A joint problem
- Cardiovascular disease
- A skin condition, dry hair or brittle nails
- A cognitive, mood or behavioural disorder.
- Been supplementing with fatty acids for a long time and your symptoms have stopped improving or have worsened.