Omega-3 Score/DHA Score and Heart Disease Risk Omega-3 Score 0.0 5.1 7.2 12.0 DHA Score 0.0 3.3 4.5 6.0 What do these mean? If your Omega-3 Score is at least 7.2 and your DHA Score is at least 4.5, you are 32% less likely to develop heart disease. Ref: Determined from Simon et al., Serum fatty acids and the risk of coronary heart disease. Am. J. Epidemiol. 142:469-476 (1995). EPA + DHA Score and Death From Heart Attack EPA + DHA Score 0.0 3.6 4.6 9.0 What does this mean? If your EPA+DHA Score is at least 4.6, you are 70% less likely of dying from a heart attack. Ref: Based on Lemaitre et al., n-3 Polyunsaturated fatty acids, fatal ischemic heart disease, and nonfatal myocardial infarction in older adults: the Cardiovascular Health Study. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 77:319-325 (2003). Silent Inflammation Profile AA:EPA Ratio Medium Risk Low Risk Medium Risk High Risk 0.0 1.5 5.0 10 or greater What does this mean? If your AA:EPA Ratio is between 1.5 and 5, inflammation in the body is under control. Ref: To be announced in 2006.
Step 1 - Measure Guide to Using the Omega Score TM M.T.M. Measure/Treat/Measure System This system is best used with patients who are not currently on any omega-3 supplement program and report little or no fatty fish consumption. Use a baseline Omega Score TM to establish the levels in the blood, typically low omega-3 levels and a high AA:EPA Ratio. (in the red zones) Step 2 Treat Begin an EPA and DHA supplementation program based on the clinical literature and the target dosage recommendation found in the clinical literature. For example, 900mg EPA and DHA based on the American Heart Association guidelines. Also, monitor diet to begin reducing levels of AA, the pro-inflammatory omega-6, found in many red meats, preserved and prepackaged foods. Step 3 Measure Test within 4 6 weeks after commencement of supplement program and dietary intervention. Although, a delta rise in the blood omega-3 levels may occur in as little as 2 weeks, by 4 6 weeks you will move your patients from the red zones to the green zones, reducing their heart disease risk by 32%, reducing their risk of death from heart attack by 70%, and bringing eicosanoid balance to the body to assist in controlling inflammation. Step 4 Check Up Test at least annually to confirm continued patient compliance and bioavailability.
Annual Measure Step 1 Measure This system is best used as part of an annual check up with patients who report a minimum consumption of 2 fatty fish servings a week, regular omega-3 as EPA and DHA supplementation, or with patients who have gone through the Measure/Treat/Measure Program within the last year. Use an Omega Score TM test to determine compliance with your nutritional advice on diet and supplementation as well as efficacy of product and dosage level of EPA and DHA currently taken. Step 2 - Adjust If the patient continues to remain in the green zones, no further modification is required and an Omega Score TM test within 12 months as part of an annual check up will suffice. If the patient scores poorly, make the necessary supplementation or dietary adjustments and re-test within 4-6 weeks to determine compliance and efficacy. Step 3 Check Up Test at least annually to confirm continued patient compliance and bioavailability. Special Notes: 1.) Dosage recommendations should be condition specific and based on the clinical literature in human subjects; 2.) Omega Score TM testing is complimentary to testing currently offered as part of a lipid profile and should be used in addition to your current testing regiment; 3.) The Omega Score TM test is based on the clinical literature and does not base its results relative to internal data; 4.) All results will be kept on file for a minimum seven years; 5.) All results will be kept private and confidential; 6.) CPT codes are available for the Omega Score TM test; 7.) The Omega Score TM facility has full CLIA and Ministry of Health Coverage.
Q & A Information on the Omega Score TM Test (AA:EPA Ratio, S.I.P., Omega-3 Profile) The Easiest Private Lab Test to Take On! Does the patient need to be in fed or fasted state? It does not matter. At the time of sample draw, the patient may be in fed, or fasted state. Are the patient s results skewed if they eat a meal containing seafood the night before? No. The Omega Score TM Test is a physiological look at the cellular level based on EPA and DHA levels over a 2 3 week period. Do pharmaceuticals interfere with the results of the test? No. Prescription drugs will not impact the results of the test. I am not really set up with supplies for this test, who can help me? Test kits are available if required. I forgot to ship a sample and it has sat on the counter for two days, is the sample ruined? No. Time studies have indicated that samples sitting at room temperature were good up to 4 days (72 hours). Many lab tests require elaborate procedures involving spinning the samples, extraction techniques, pouring off layers of serum, is this the case with this test? No. Simply draw the whole blood into the lavender top tube and ship it out.
When should I ship the samples out? It is best to ship the samples by Thursday of each week via Fed Ex overnight to MDS labs. Can I batch samples if I have draws scheduled on different days? Yes. It is more cost efficient to send all samples in a given week at one time. Simply place the samples drawn in the fridge (not the freezer!) and keep in the fridge until ready to send. What patient paperwork do I need to fill out? You simply need to fill out and sign the light blue shaded sections of the Patient Requisition Form for each sample you plan on submitting. Please be certain that all the paperwork for each patient is included with the shipment. We need the Patient Requisition Form which is to be signed by the referring physician and will be supplied to you once your account is activated. What shipping paperwork do I need to fill out? You simply fill out an International Way Bill and a Commercial Invoice. Ask your account representative to assist you with these forms. What do I declare for customs and how do I describe the goods? Describe the specimens as human fatty acids and give each sample a $1 dollar value. What packaging should I use? Please use the packaging we have provided to you. Mailing labels are included for easy processing. How long do the results take? Results will take a maximum of 10 business days from date of sample reception and will be faxed. Hard copy with full colour results will be mailed with invoice receipt.