Balance Test - Fatty Acid Test Kit

Key Benefits*

• Easy-to-use at home dried blood spot self-test
• Measures 11 different fatty acids in your blood
• Provides the Omega 6:3 Balance and Other Important Health Score
  

Description*

Have you ever wondered how the food you eat impacts your body and your health? The Balance Test gives you a snapshot of how the fats you eat in your diet, absorb into the blood, and ultimately the tissues throughout your body to impact health. The test measures both healthy and unhealthy fat levels, so that you're able to make changes to your diet to help improve your overall health. The tissue is the issue – what you eat is reflected in your tissue, and ultimately your health!

This easy to use at home test kit is a simple finger prick, with a few drops of blood added to a Dried Blood Spot test kit. This method is scientifically proven to be as accurate as a venous blood sample when fatty acids are to be analyzed. The test is mailed in and then analyzed to represent the % content of 11 different fatty acids, which together represent approximately 98% of the total fatty acids in your blood. The values reflect your diet for the last 120 days, which is the lifetime of red blood cells.

WHAT IS MEASURED?
The test measures 11 fatty acids, including saturated, monounsaturated (Omega-9) and polyunsaturated (Omega-6 and Omega-3) fatty acids. The following fatty acids are measured: 

• Palmitic acid, C16:0 - Saturated Fat 
  
• Stearic acid, C18:0 - Saturated Fat 
  
• Oleic acid, C18:1 - Omega-9 
  
• Linoleic acid, C18:2 - Omega-6 
  
• Alpha-linolenic acid, C18:3 - Omega-3 
  
• Gamma-linolenic acid, C18:3 - Omega-6 
  
• Dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid, C20:3 - Omega-6 
  
• Arachidonic acid (AA), C20:4 - Omega-6 
  
• Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), C20:5 - Omega-3 
  
• Docosapentaenoic acid (DPA), C22:5 - Omega-3 
  
• Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), C22:6 - Omega-3

In addition to these fats you’ll be provided with several other health indicators including the Omega 3 Index, The Omega 6:3 Balance Score, Cell Membrane Fluidity, and others. The Omega-3 Index is the summary of the % for the two important Omega 3s EPA + DHA.

The ideal Omega 3 Index, or combined level of EPA + DHA is at least 8%, but higher values like 10% or more are desirable. The Omega-3’s EPA and DHA have many benefits because they are the primary building blocks in your cells and also help regulate inflammation and immunity.

The Omega 6/3 Balance score is calculated by dividing the % value of AA with the percent value of EPA (AA / EPA), which is then expressed as a Balance value. The optimal Omega-6:3 Balance in the body should preferably be below 3:1. 

If this ratio is above 3:1, you will benefit from a change in your diet by reducing plant seed oils and other processed foods. A low balance of Omega-6 and Omega-3 is important for maintaining normal cell and tissue development (homeostasis) and helps the body regulate health levels of inflammation. 

Cell Membrane Fluidity is calculated by dividing the % value of the two saturated fats with the percent value of the two Omega-3’s. The fluidity value is thus defined as (PA+SA) / (EPA+DHA), and the result is expressed as a fluidity index, for example 3:1. If the fluidity value is below 4:1, it shows that there is sufficient fluidity in cell membranes allowing for nutrients into the cell and waste out. 

The more saturated the fats are in a membrane, the more rigid and less fluid is the membrane. Conversely, the more polyunsaturated (more double bonds) the fats are in a membrane, the more fluid is the membrane. Cell membrane composition and structural architecture is critical for the health of the cells and overall health.