AA/EPA Ratio - Plasma

Overview

Clinician Info

CPT Codes

Kit Instructions

Sample Reports

Interpretive Guide

References

AA/EPA Ratio: A Measure of “Silent” Inflammation

Lady with a Good AA/EPA Ratio This unique test measures the ratio of arachidonic acid (AA) to eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) in plasma. This ratio of the principle omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids is a measure of the body’s eicosanoid balance. Balancing the eicosanoids in the body is an excellent way for managing heart disease and other chronic and inflammatory processes.

Recently, a great deal of interest has been paid to the ratio of the fatty acids arachidonic acid (AA) to eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). According to Dr. Barry Sears, author of Toxic Fat: When Good Fat Turns Bad, a lower AA/EPA ratio indicates a better balance of "good" and "bad" eicosanoids in your body. An AA/EPA ratio of less than 3 but not less than 1.5 is considered to be ideal. It is no longer considered "well" to have a ratio greater than 10. Anything exceeding 15 means a high level of inflammation in the blood (Toxic Fat Syndrome) and requires immediate dietary attention.

AA/EPA Ratio features:

True quantitative analysis of fatty acids
Included with the 0041 Fatty Acids – Plasma profile and 0241 Bloodspot Fatty Acid profile