HS-Omega-3 Index: Clinical value of standardized fatty acid analysis

Abstract

Fatty acids are measured in various compartments, with highly variable results. Because analytical methods differ, results differ substantially, even when identical compartments are measured. Therefore, scientific results of fatty acid analyses could not be applied to clinical routine; and fatty acid analysis has no place in clinical routine. The HS-Omega-3 Index is the percentage of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) plus docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in erythrocytes, as measured with a strictly standardized method, assessing another 24 fatty acids, and subjected to rigorous quality assurance. So far, 143 publications and >?50 ongoing research projects are based on the HS-Omega-3 Index. A low HS-Omega-3 Index is a cardiovascular risk factor, and associated with suboptimal brain structure and function, as assessed with neurological and psychiatric methods. In intervention studies based on the HS-Omega-3 Index, many aspects of the health issues mentioned were improved in a consistent manner, whereas intervention studies with a conventional study design showed less consistent results. The HS-Omega-3 Index demonstrates the relevance of fatty acid analysis in clinical routine. In the USA, but not yet in Europe, the HSOmega- 3 Index has appeared in clinical routine.