What It Measures
This test measures the total concentration of omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids in red blood cell membranes or serum. Omega-6 fatty acids are essential fats obtained from diet (primarily vegetable oils, nuts, and seeds) that serve as precursors to both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory signaling molecules called eicosanoids.
Total Omega-6 fatty acids measures the sum of all omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the blood, including linoleic acid (LA), arachidonic acid (AA), gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), and dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA). This biomarker is critical for assessing the balance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory fatty acid pathways, which directly influences cardiovascular health, immune function, and chronic disease risk.
Current Value
What High Means
Elevated total omega-6 levels, particularly when the omega-6 to omega-3 ratio is high, are associated with increased systemic inflammation, higher cardiovascular disease risk, and promotion of pro-inflammatory eicosanoid production. High levels often reflect excessive consumption of processed vegetable oils (soybean, corn, sunflower) and processed foods. Chronically elevated omega-6 relative to omega-3 has been linked to atherosclerosis, metabolic syndrome, obesity, and autoimmune conditions.
Possible Symptoms
Chronic low-grade inflammation, joint pain and stiffness, skin conditions (eczema, acne), increased allergic responses, elevated inflammatory markers (CRP, IL-6), water retention, headaches, and increased susceptibility to inflammatory conditions.
What Low Means
Low total omega-6 levels may indicate essential fatty acid deficiency, fat malabsorption disorders, or very restrictive diets. Symptoms can include dry skin, hair loss, poor wound healing, and impaired immune function. Linoleic acid is essential and must come from the diet, so very low levels suggest inadequate dietary fat intake or absorption issues.
Possible Symptoms
Dry scaly skin, dermatitis, hair loss, poor wound healing, increased susceptibility to infections, growth retardation in children, reproductive difficulties, and impaired immune response.
Risk Factors
Cardiovascular disease, chronic systemic inflammation, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, obesity, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, asthma, allergic conditions, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, depression, and neurodegenerative disorders when omega-6:omega-3 ratio is chronically elevated above 10:1.
Actionable Advice
Supplements
- •EPA/DHA fish oil
- •Algal omega-3
- •GLA (evening primrose oil)
- •Borage oil
- •Black currant seed oil
- •Vitamin E (to prevent oxidation)
- •Curcumin (to modulate inflammation)
Diet & Lifestyle
- •Reduce consumption of processed vegetable oils (soybean, corn, sunflower, safflower)
- •Increase omega-3 rich foods: fatty fish (salmon, sardines, mackerel) 2-3x per week
- •Use olive oil or avocado oil as primary cooking oils instead of seed oils
- •Limit processed and fried foods which are high in omega-6 oils
- •Include walnuts, flaxseeds, and chia seeds for plant-based omega-3
- •Read food labels to identify hidden sources of omega-6 vegetable oils
- •Consider an omega-3 index test to assess your omega-6:omega-3 ratio
- •Eat grass-fed/pasture-raised animal products which have better fatty acid profiles
Ask AI
Ask questions about your Omega6 Total results, trends, and what you can do to optimize.
Only one data point — trend chart will appear after multiple tests.
Related Biomarkers
Resources & Studies
All Readings
| Date | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-08-25 | 38.7 % | — |