23/08/2025
Interesting study!
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12944-025-02676-6?fbclid=IwQ0xDSwMWsnhjbGNrAxayc2V4dG4DYWVtAjExAAEeNOZugtXx4FC_oHJmzufUXhCnGVbwAPiCJHTc3L78BPxbs98-Hd-pskNJChY_aem_Ef3Z5Jf9qz6zrkPWgXUw2w
I will post a summary:
What’s the study about?
The researchers analyzed more than 590,000 fingertip blood samples from people around the world to measure their levels of omega-3 fats (EPA + DHA) and the balance between omega-6 and omega-3 fats . This “balance” is important because too much omega-6 and too little omega-3 can contribute to inflammation and chronic diseases.
---
Why measure those fats?
Omega-3s help reduce inflammation, support heart and brain health, and protect against many chronic diseases.
Omega-6s aren’t bad, but too much of them (relative to omega-3s) can push the body toward inflammation .
A healthy diet ideally keeps the omega-6:omega-3 ratio between 1:1 and 5:1—but many people nowadays exceed that, often reaching a ratio of 6:1 to 9:1 .
---
Key findings (in plain terms)
1. Most people have too little omega-3 and an unbalanced ratio.
Globally, omega-3 levels were low and omega-6:omega-3 ratios were generally higher than ideal (usually between 6:1 and 9:1) .
2. Where you live makes a difference.
Higher omega-3 levels were seen in places like Europe, Asia, and Oceania—regions where fish consumption tends to be higher.
North America had the lowest omega-3 levels and the most imbalanced fatty acid ratio .
3. Supplements help—but not enough by themselves.
People taking omega-3 supplements did have higher levels of omega-3, but their ratios were often still not within the ideal range .
4. Age, weight, and gender also had small effects:
Older individuals and women tended to have slightly higher omega-3 levels.
Overweight or obese people had slightly lower omega-3 levels .
5. Supplements matter most—but only a bit.
Statistical models showed that using omega-3 supplements was the strongest predictor of higher omega-3 levels (though the overall effect was modest), followed by age, BMI (body weight), and s*x .
---
Why does it matter?
The study strongly suggests that many people worldwide don’t get enough omega-3 fats and their omega-6:omega-3 balance is often unhealthy. This imbalance is linked to inflammation and a higher risk of diseases such as heart problems, diabetes, certain cancers, and autoimmune conditions .
---
Final takeaway
A simple blood test (fingertip dried blood spot) can give a clear picture of your omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid status.
Most people would benefit from eating more omega-3–rich foods (like fish, nuts, seeds) and perhaps using supplements—but dietary changes are key.
This is a global concern—many regions show imbalanced profiles, so it’s not just an individual issue but a public health one.
Omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids are critical for human health, with the omega-6 (n-6) to n-3 fatty acid ratio and the omega-3 levels recognized as contributing to the risk of many chronic non-communicable diseases. Direct measurement of fatty acid levels in blood provides the most accurate assessment of f...
