Measurement of the Omega-3 Index in Dried Blood Spots

Abstract

Background: The roles that the omega-3 fatty acids play in health and disease remain unclear. The conduct of epidemiological studies to explore this relationship can be facilitated by the use of dried blood spots (DBS) for sample collection and shipment. The Omega-3 Index [i.e. erythrocyte levels of the two major marine-derived omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) plus docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)], is an emerging risk factor for cardiovascular disease mortality. The purpose of this report is to describe how the Omega-3 Index can be derived from an analysis of DBS fatty acid levels.