Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 18, 2026

DNBS/TNBS Colitis Models: Providing Insights Into Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Effects of Dietary Fat
09:04

DNBS/TNBS Colitis Models: Providing Insights Into Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Effects of Dietary Fat

Published on: February 27, 2014

Determinants of Blood Cell Omega-3 Fatty Acid Content

Robert C Block1, William S Harris, James V Pottala

  • 1Division of Epidemiology, Department of Community and Preventive Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry.

The Open Biomarkers Journal
|December 3, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Omega-3 Index levels, crucial for predicting cardiovascular death, are primarily determined by eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) intake from supplements and fish. Other factors like triglycerides, age, and smoking also play a role.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Health
  • Nutritional Science
  • Biomarkers

Background:

  • The Omega-3 Index, reflecting red blood cell eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), is a known predictor of cardiovascular mortality.
  • However, the specific clinical factors influencing an individual's Omega-3 Index remain largely undetermined.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the key clinical determinants of the Omega-3 Index in a cohort of outpatients.
  • To quantify the contribution of various lifestyle and clinical factors to Omega-3 Index variability.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study involving 704 outpatients was conducted.
  • Data on supplement use, fish consumption, triglyceride levels, age, cholesterol history, and smoking status were collected and analyzed.

Main Results:

  • EPA+DHA supplement use and fish consumption frequency were the strongest predictors of the Omega-3 Index, collectively explaining 47% of its variability.
  • Increased fish intake (13% per serving) and EPA+DHA supplementation (58% increase) significantly raised the Index.
  • Lower serum triglyceride levels (15% higher Index per 100 mg/dL decrease) were also associated with a higher Omega-3 Index.

Conclusions:

  • Dietary intake of EPA+DHA-rich foods and supplements are the principal drivers of the Omega-3 Index.
  • While significant, these factors only accounted for approximately half of the observed variability in the Omega-3 Index, suggesting other unmeasured factors may be involved.

More Related Videos

Dietary Supplementation of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Caenorhabditis elegans09:38

Dietary Supplementation of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Caenorhabditis elegans

Published on: November 29, 2013

Related Concept Videos

Structure of Lipids03:38

Structure of Lipids

Lipids include a diverse group of compounds that are largely nonpolar in nature. This is because they are hydrocarbons that include mostly nonpolar carbon-carbon or carbon-hydrogen bonds. Non-polar molecules are hydrophobic (“water fearing”), or insoluble in water. Lipids perform many different functions in a cell. Cells store energy for long-term use in the form of fats. Lipids also provide insulation from the environment for plants and animals. For example, they help keep aquatic birds and...
Lipid-derived Compounds in the Human Body01:31

Lipid-derived Compounds in the Human Body

Fats and lipids are crucial components in the human body. Some lipid-derived compounds, such as fat-soluble vitamins, eicosanoids, lipoproteins, and glycolipids, also play unique roles to support various  biological processes .
Fat-soluble Vitamins
Fat-soluble vitamins, including vitamins A, D, E, and K, are required in minimal quantities, but their deficiencies can lead to severely abnormal physiological conditions. For example, vitamin A deficiency can cause night blindness, dry skin, delayed...
Factors Affecting Erythropoiesis01:24

Factors Affecting Erythropoiesis

The cardiovascular system regulates the number of erythrocytes in the bloodstream to ensure optimal oxygen transport. It also prevents over-proliferation of these cells, which helps to maintain blood viscosity and flow rate.
Several factors influence the erythrocyte production rate, with tissue oxygen level being among the most critical. Intense exercise or high altitudes can cause tissue hypoxia, which triggers the kidneys to release more erythropoietin (EPO) into the bloodstream.
EPO then...
Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System III: Serum Lipid Profile01:25

Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System III: Serum Lipid Profile

Understanding serum lipids is crucial for maintaining cardiovascular health and preventing heart disease and stroke.
Serum lipids are fats and fatty substances in the blood and are crucial for various bodily functions, including energy storage, cellular structure, and hormone production. Serum lipids consist of cholesterol, triglycerides, and phospholipids.
Cholesterol is a soft, fat-like substance found in all body cells. It is crucial for producing hormones, vitamin D, and substances that aid...
Lineage Commitment01:21

Lineage Commitment

Commitment is the  process whereby stem cells:
Membrane Fluidity01:23

Membrane Fluidity

Cell membranes are composed of phospholipids, proteins, and carbohydrates loosely attached to one another through chemical interactions. Molecules are generally able to move about in the plane of the membrane, giving the membrane its flexible nature called fluidity. Two other features of the membrane contribute to membrane fluidity: the chemical structure of the phospholipids and the presence of cholesterol in the membrane.Fatty acids tails of phospholipids can be either saturated or...