Reveal essential fatty acid imbalances to combat immune and inflammatory disorders. Measures the level of 18 omega-3, -6, and -9 fatty acids, 2 saturated fats, and the ratio of AA/EPA and omega-3 to -6.
STARTS AT ₱7,400.00
Patient preparation
No patient preparation needed.
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Find a HospitalClinical Overview
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
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- 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
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Analytes Measured:
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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)
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