Diagnostics Tests
Fatty Acid Profile
(ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS IN RBC)
Download Essential Fatty Acids Test brochure
Clinical Information:
Essential fatty acids are integral component of cell membranes making them critical to proper cellular function and communication. Improper fat intake and impaired fat digestion, absorption, and/or metabolism may result to essential fatty acid deficiency.1
The Essential Fatty Acids Panel measures a wide array of omega acids (Omega-3, Omega-6, Omega-9, and saturated fatty acids) in relation to the total fatty acids. The ratio of Omega-3 to Omega-6 and Arachidonic Acid (AA) to Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) are included as inflammatory markers. EPA and AA are the key EFAs modulating inflammation. A high AA:EPA ratio indicates increased levels of inflammation in the body and has been detected in patients with insulin resistance, coronary artery disease and depression. Published data supports Omega-3 fatty acid levels as a modifiable risk factor for primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease.2
The analysis of fatty acids in red blood cells measures its 120-day lifespan in blood circulation. Unlike serum or plasma, this reveals the metabolic functions and dietary intake factors on a longer time scale that can be used as a biomarker for fatty acid metabolism, diet-disease correlation, and epidemiological studies.3
Clinical Use:
- Evaluation of nutritional intake and essential fatty acids deficiency
- Identifying fatty acid imbalance associated with immune and inflammatory conditions
- Monitoring treatment of patients with impaired fat metabolism
Analytes Measured:
| Essential Fatty Acids Panel in RBC | |
|---|---|
| Omega-3 | Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) |
| Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) | |
| Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) | |
| Eicosatrienoic acid | |
| Total Omega 3 | |
| Omega-6 | Linoleic acid (LA) |
| Gammalinolenic acid (GLA) | |
| Eicosadienoic acid (EDA) | |
| Dihomogammalinolenic acid (DGLA) | |
| Arachidonic acid (AA) | |
| Docosatetraenoic acid (DTA) | |
| Total Omega 6 | |
| Omega-9 | Trans-elaidic acid (TEA) |
| Cis oleic acid | |
| Eicosenoic acid | |
| Erucic acid | |
| Nervonic acid | |
| Total Omega 9 | |
| Saturated Fats | Palmitic Acid |
| Stearic acid | |
| Ratio | AA/EPA |
| Omega3/6 | |
Specimen Needed: 6 ml blood, 3 ml packed RBC in EDTA-heparin vacutainer tubes
Turn Around Time of Results: 7 Working days
Analytical Method: Gas Chromatography
References:
1 Kris M. Mogensen., Essential Fatty Acid Deficiency, Practical Gastroenterology, June 2017, pp 37-44
2 A.P. Simopoulos., The importance of the ratio of omega-6/omega-3 essential fatty acids, Biomedicine and Pharmacotherapy 56 (2002) 365–379, June 2002
3 Rodrigues, R.O., Costa, H., Lima, R., & Amaral, J.S. “Simple Methodology for the Quantitative Analysis of Fatty Acids in Human Red Blood Cells.” Chromatographia 78, no. 19-20 (2015)
