What It Measures
This test measures the relative proportion of omega-6 fatty acids (primarily arachidonic acid and linoleic acid) to omega-3 fatty acids (primarily EPA and DHA) in red blood cell membranes or plasma. It reflects your dietary fat balance over the preceding 2-3 months and indicates the body's overall inflammatory tone.
The Omega-6 to Omega-3 ratio measures the balance between pro-inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids and anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids in the body. This ratio is a critical marker of systemic inflammation and cardiovascular risk, as modern Western diets have shifted it from an evolutionary ~1:1 to as high as 20:1 or more. Optimizing this ratio is one of the most impactful dietary interventions for reducing chronic disease risk.
Current Value
What High Means
An elevated omega-6:3 ratio (above 4:1) indicates a pro-inflammatory state driven by excess omega-6-derived eicosanoids (prostaglandins, leukotrienes). High ratios are strongly associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, autoimmune conditions, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases. The excess omega-6 promotes adipogenesis, endocannabinoid system hyperactivity, and chronic low-grade inflammation.
Possible Symptoms
Chronic joint pain and stiffness, persistent fatigue, skin conditions (eczema, acne), difficulty losing weight, brain fog, mood disturbances, frequent infections, slow wound healing, dry skin, muscle aches
What Low Means
A low omega-6:3 ratio (below 1:1) is uncommon but could theoretically indicate excessive omega-3 supplementation relative to omega-6 intake. While generally not harmful, extremely low ratios could potentially affect platelet aggregation and wound healing due to reduced arachidonic acid-derived signaling molecules. In practice, most people benefit from lowering their ratio.
Possible Symptoms
Easy bruising, prolonged bleeding from minor cuts, thin blood, potential immune suppression (theoretical at extreme lows)
Risk Factors
Cardiovascular disease, coronary artery disease, stroke, obesity, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, asthma, certain cancers (breast, prostate, colorectal), Alzheimer's disease, depression, macular degeneration, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
Actionable Advice
Supplements
- •EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
- •DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
- •Fish oil (high-quality, third-party tested)
- •Algal oil (vegan DHA/EPA source)
- •Krill oil
- •Cod liver oil
- •GLA (gamma-linolenic acid, for omega-6 pathway modulation)
Diet & Lifestyle
- •Eat fatty fish 3-4 times per week (salmon, sardines, mackerel, anchovies, herring — the SMASH fish)
- •Reduce consumption of seed oils high in omega-6 (soybean, corn, sunflower, safflower, cottonseed)
- •Cook with olive oil, avocado oil, or coconut oil instead of seed oils
- •Minimize processed and fried foods which are major sources of omega-6
- •Choose grass-fed/pasture-raised meats and wild-caught fish over conventionally raised
- •Include walnuts, chia seeds, flaxseeds, and hemp seeds as plant-based omega-3 sources
- •Read food labels to avoid hidden seed oils in packaged foods
- •Supplement with 2-4g combined EPA/DHA daily if dietary intake is insufficient
- •Reduce intake of conventional grain-fed animal products
Ask AI
Ask questions about your Omega 63 Ratio 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 | 6.2 - | — |