An extended panel that includes everything in the Omega-3 Index plus critical inflammatory ratios. Assess your patients' fatty acid balance with the Omega-6:Omega-3 ratio, AA:EPA ratio, and Trans Fat Index — all from a single finger-prick blood spot or liquid blood sample.
The Omega-3 Plus Ratios test is an extended fatty acid panel that builds on the Omega-3 Index by adding the critical ratios that reveal your patient's inflammatory balance. While the Omega-3 Index tells you how much EPA and DHA is present in red blood cell membranes, the Plus Ratios panel places that number in context by showing how omega-3 fatty acids relate to competing omega-6 fatty acids and trans fats.
This test is designed for healthcare professionals, nutritionists, and functional medicine practitioners who need a more complete picture of fatty acid status beyond the Omega-3 Index alone. It is particularly useful for patients with inflammatory conditions, those on supplementation protocols, or anyone undergoing dietary intervention where monitoring the balance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory fatty acids is clinically important.
All analytes are measured from a dried blood spot (DBS) or liquid blood sample (whole blood, RBC, serum, or plasma fractions). DBS cards are collected via a simple finger-prick and are stable at room temperature for posting to our laboratory.
The Omega-3 Plus Ratios panel reports four key biomarkers, each with distinct clinical significance:
The Omega-3 Index measures the percentage of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in red blood cell membranes. It is a validated, long-term biomarker of omega-3 status that reflects dietary intake over the preceding 2–3 months. An Omega-3 Index of 8% or above is associated with the lowest cardiovascular risk, while levels below 4% indicate a high-risk category.
This ratio compares total omega-6 fatty acids to total omega-3 fatty acids in cell membranes. The modern Western diet has shifted this ratio dramatically, from an evolutionary baseline of roughly 1:1 to as high as 20:1 or more. A high Omega-6:Omega-3 ratio is associated with increased production of pro-inflammatory eicosanoids and cytokines, contributing to chronic inflammatory conditions, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic syndrome.
Optimal ratios typically fall below 4:1. Monitoring this ratio helps practitioners assess whether dietary changes or supplementation are effectively rebalancing fatty acid intake.
The AA:EPA ratio is a targeted measure of the balance between arachidonic acid (AA, an omega-6 fatty acid) and EPA (an omega-3 fatty acid). Both are direct precursors to potent signalling molecules: AA produces pro-inflammatory prostaglandins and leukotrienes, while EPA generates anti-inflammatory resolvins and protectins.
A high AA:EPA ratio indicates a pro-inflammatory state at the cellular level. This biomarker is particularly sensitive to supplementation with EPA-rich fish oils and is widely used in functional and integrative medicine to guide anti-inflammatory protocols. Optimal AA:EPA ratios are generally considered to be below 5:1, with ratios below 3:1 reflecting strong anti-inflammatory balance.
The Trans Fat Index quantifies the level of industrial trans fatty acids incorporated into red blood cell membranes. Trans fats — primarily from partially hydrogenated vegetable oils — are strongly linked to increased cardiovascular risk, systemic inflammation, and adverse lipid profiles. Unlike dietary questionnaires, the Trans Fat Index provides an objective measure of actual trans fat exposure over the preceding months.
A lower Trans Fat Index is desirable. This biomarker is useful for verifying that patients have successfully eliminated or reduced dietary sources of industrial trans fats.
The standard Omega-3 Index test reports a single value: the percentage of EPA + DHA in red blood cell membranes. It is the most validated cardiovascular risk biomarker in fatty acid testing and remains the right choice when the primary question is simply "does my patient have enough omega-3?"
The Omega-3 Plus Ratios test includes the Omega-3 Index and adds three additional biomarkers that provide context around inflammatory balance and fatty acid competition:
In short, the Omega-3 Index answers "how much omega-3?", while the Plus Ratios panel answers "what is the overall fatty acid balance, and is it pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory?"
| Feature | Omega-3 Index | Omega-3 Plus Ratios |
|---|---|---|
| Omega-3 Index (EPA+DHA%) | Included | Included |
| Omega-6:Omega-3 Ratio | — | Included |
| AA:EPA Ratio | — | Included |
| Trans Fat Index | — | Included |
| Inflammatory Balance Assessment | — | Included |
| Sample Type | DBS & Liquid Blood | DBS & Liquid Blood |
| Turnaround | 3–5 Working Days | 3–5 Working Days |
The Omega-3 Plus Ratios test is designed for practitioners who need actionable inflammatory balance data. Common clinical applications include:
For patients with chronic inflammatory conditions — including rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, psoriasis, and asthma — the AA:EPA and Omega-6:Omega-3 ratios provide a measurable target for dietary and supplementation interventions. Tracking these ratios over time helps practitioners assess whether anti-inflammatory strategies are producing physiological change at the cellular membrane level.
Many patients take omega-3 supplements without knowing whether they are achieving therapeutic levels. The Omega-3 Plus Ratios test verifies that supplementation is not only raising the Omega-3 Index but also shifting the key inflammatory ratios in the desired direction. This is especially important for patients taking high-dose EPA protocols, where the AA:EPA ratio is the primary endpoint.
For nutritionists and dietitians guiding patients through dietary changes — such as increasing oily fish intake, reducing processed foods, or eliminating industrial trans fats — this panel provides objective before-and-after data. The Trans Fat Index is particularly useful for confirming that dietary trans fat elimination has translated to reduced membrane incorporation.
While the Omega-3 Index is a validated cardiovascular biomarker in its own right, the addition of inflammatory ratios provides a more nuanced risk profile. Patients with a borderline Omega-3 Index but a severely elevated Omega-6:Omega-3 ratio may be at higher risk than the Index alone suggests.
Partner with Fatty Acid Labs for validated, scalable Omega-3 and fatty acid testing. Wholesale pricing, branded kits, and full laboratory support.