Omega 3 supplements are one of the most frequently recommended supplements for a wide range of health reasons. But are they really necessary, especially when you eat a healthy diet and include food sources of omega 3 like salmon, almonds, and walnuts in your diet?

I knew the answer was probably yes, just from personal experience and over 15 years experience with patients, but I like to be a scientist and try to confirm that experience is not just a bias that I am operating from.

So when the lab I use for other functional testing on patients (like food allergy testing, hormone testing, and comprehensive digestive stool testing) started offering a blood test that analyses your fatty acid profile, I was in.

I had been very delinquent in taking my fish oils since I come home from my hiking trip in August, so now was the perfect time to see if I actually needed them.

Here are some of my results:

As you can see they are not good! My omega 3 index scored in the intermediate risk zone, my whole blood omega 3 score is in the high risk zone, and my AA: EPA ratio (omega 9: omega 3) is in the severely inflammatory zone. In fact it couldn't be worse, I'm slightly off the chart...What???

The evidence couldn't be clearer. I need to be taking my fish oil on a regular basis regardless of how good my diet is.

And if I need to be taking my fish oil on a regular basis, chances are you do too!

If you are interested in getting this test done on yourself, book an appointment, and we can help!

This test measures omega-3, omega-6, mono-unsaturated fatty acids, saturated fatty acids, trans fatty acids, omega-3 index, omega-3 whole blood score, and AA to EPA ratio. Cost is $179.

For more information you can read the patient information sheet here: http://rmalab.com/sites/default/files/tests/spec_sheets/20180709_pt_fap.pdf

Now I would love to hear from you! How often do you wonder if you actually need to be taking a certain supplement? Leave a comment below and I'll be back next week with another edition of Doctor as Teacher Tuesday!