Breast Milk DHA·AA

While EPA and DHA are the headline omega-3s, the full fatty-acid profile reveals why status is what it is — and where to intervene. Complete OmegaScore® analyzes 25+ markers across six fatty-acid groups, quantified by gas chromatography at CanAlt’s ISO 15189 Plus™ accredited Mississauga laboratory using the OmegaScore® methodology developed at the affiliated Lipid Analytical Laboratories (University of Guelph Research Park).

A complete picture of fatty-acid balance

EPA and DHA are the headline markers, but the full profile explains status and points to intervention. A high AA:EPA ratio often improves before absolute EPA or DHA levels rise — meaning dietary changes show up in inflammation markers first. Without the complete picture, that early signal is missed.

How research populations compare

The OmegaScore — the summed percentage of EPA + DPA + DHA in whole blood — varies considerably across populations. Population averages are not individual predictions, but the range illustrates how dietary patterns relate to measured values.

In worldwide analysis (Stark et al., Prog Lipid Res 2016), U.S. and Canadian averages were around 4–5% — the lower end of the global range; Mediterranean populations around 6%; Japanese populations around 10%. In dietary-intervention studies, daily EPA + DHA intakes of 2–3 g/day over 4–8 weeks were associated with measurable OmegaScore changes among participants. These are research-context findings — specific dietary or supplement guidance should come from the patient’s practitioner.

Three published studies, three reference ranges

The OmegaScore is reported alongside reference ranges described in three peer-reviewed cohort studies — population-level findings, not individual predictions.

Albert et al., NEJM 2002 (cardiac endpoints): reference value described ≥ 6.1% in the study cohort. Harris et al., J Clin Lipidol 2018 (all-cause mortality, meta-analysis of 17 cohorts): ≥ 5.6% in pooled data; whole-blood EPA + DHA was a more consistent variable than dietary intake. Lukaschek et al., DGCD 2016 (cognitive function): ≥ 6.8% in that population.

Pregnancy & lactation: Olsen et al. (EBioMedicine 2018) reported associations between blood OmegaScore ≥ 2.04% and preterm-birth outcomes; Brenna & Lapillonne (Ann Nutr Metab 2009) discussed breast-milk DHA ≥ 0.32%; ISSFAL consensus discusses ≥ 200 mg/day DHA during pregnancy and lactation. These are population-level reference values, to be integrated by the obstetric/midwifery team.

Additional fatty acids and balance markers

EPA and DHA remain the primary outcome markers, but the report includes 25+ additional fatty acids in five clinical groupings — context on dietary patterns, fatty-acid balance, inflammatory tone and metabolic health.

• Linoleic acid (LA, 18:2 n-6): primary dietary omega-6; excess competes with ALA for desaturation and can suppress EPA/DHA synthesis.
• Arachidonic acid (AA, 20:4 n-6): long-chain omega-6, substrate for eicosanoids and essential for brain/immune signaling — best interpreted via the AA:EPA ratio.
• Omega-6 : Omega-3 ratio: overall fatty-acid balance, often persisting even when EPA/DHA intake appears adequate.
• AA : EPA ratio: eicosanoid-balance marker that often shifts before absolute EPA/DHA values change.
• Palmitic / stearic / oleic / palmitoleic: distinguish dietary intake from de novo lipogenesis and metabolic patterns.
• Trans fatty acids (multiple isomers): even trace levels indicate processed-food exposure — useful for dietary counseling and tracking change.
• Nervonic acid (24:1 n-9): myelin and white-matter integrity — additional context in neurological research.

Quantification on the Agilent 7890B GC

The OmegaScore is performed by high-performance gas-liquid chromatography with flame-ionization detection on the Agilent 7890B — quantifying the full 25+ fatty-acid panel from a single dried-blood-spot sample, with the peak resolution required for precise ratio markers like AA:EPA and Omega-6:Omega-3. The methodology was developed at Lipid Analytical Laboratories (CanAlt’s affiliated specialist lab at the University of Guelph Research Park, under the scientific direction of Andrew Jenkins, MSc); analysis is performed in-house at CanAlt’s Mississauga laboratory under CanAlt’s LSCCLA licence on the same platform.

Wellness screening & reference notes

Complete OmegaScore® measures fatty-acid composition in whole blood to inform dietary, lifestyle and supplementation decisions; the reference ranges (Low, Acceptable, Satisfactory, Ideal) are based on published cohort research. GC-FID is the gold standard for quantifying fatty-acid composition. Results should be interpreted alongside individual health history, diet and clinical context. OmegaScore® is a registered trademark of Lipid Analytical Laboratories LLC; reports are not to be reproduced except in full.

• Patients optimizing cardiovascular, brain, inflammatory and metabolic health through diet and supplementation.
• Confirming whether a fish-oil / omega-3 regimen is actually reaching target blood levels (absorption varies widely).
• Nursing mothers (Breast Milk DHA & ARA — practitioner-ordered).

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