Why Testing Your Omega-3 Levels Beats Guesswork
When it comes to supplements, most of the market tends to overpromise and underdeliver. At Spartan, we take a different approach. We only recommend supplements when the benefits are clear, the dosing is measurable, and the results can be tracked.
Omega-3 fatty acids are a prime example. Decades of research show they can have real, measurable health benefits when used in the right amounts. What’s new is that we now have a simple blood test that helps us determine who is most likely to benefit—and what dose is actually needed.
What Is the Omega-3 Index?
The Omega-3 Index measures the percentage of EPA and DHA—two key omega-3 fatty acids—inside your red blood cells. Because red blood cells live for about 120 days, the test gives you a reliable long-term view of your omega-3 status, rather than a short-term snapshot of what you ate last week.
Here’s how results are typically interpreted:
- Below 4%: Higher risk for heart disease (Harris & von Schacky, 2004)
- 8–12%: Considered the “ideal zone” for cardiovascular protection
- Most Americans: Fall below 6%—even those who occasionally eat fish or take a generic fish oil supplement
This means most people are missing out on the full protective benefits that omega-3s can provide.
Why Omega-3s Matter
The evidence goes beyond theory—there are decades of peer-reviewed studies showing omega-3s influence health across multiple systems:
Heart health: Higher Omega-3 Index scores are linked with lower risk of fatal coronary heart disease (Harris & von Schacky, 2004).
Triglycerides: Omega-3 supplementation lowers triglycerides in a dose-dependent way (Abdelhamid et al., 2023).
Cardiovascular outcomes: In the REDUCE-IT trial, prescription EPA (icosapent ethyl) significantly reduced major cardiovascular events and deaths (Bhatt et al., 2019).
Brain health: Meta-analyses show EPA-rich formulas can reduce depressive symptoms, particularly in people with mood disorders (Li et al., 2019).
The Spartan Approach: Assess → Treat → Reassess
We don’t blindly recommend omega-3s. Instead, we use a structured process:
- Test first – Follow this link to buy your OmegaQuant test: You can choose between the Omega-3 Index Basic test, the Plus test, or the Complete test.
- Interpret with us – Share your results with your Spartan provider. We’ll explain what your number means and whether you’d benefit from nutritional supplementation or prescription omega-3s.
- Supplement strategically – If your index is low, we’ll guide you to the right product and dose. Because supplements are unregulated, we’ll also make sure you’re getting a reputable option.
- Retest in 6 months – The Omega-3 Index shifts slowly, so retesting ensures your efforts are actually moving you into the protective range.
Bottom Line
Omega-3s are one of the few supplements with consistent, high-quality evidence behind them. The key is using them correctly—at the right dose, in the right patient, and with follow-up testing to confirm effectiveness. That’s why we pair supplementation with testing: so you can have confidence your investment is improving your health and longevity.
Research Notes
- Harris WS, von Schacky C. The Omega-3 Index: a new risk factor for death from coronary heart disease? Prev Med. 2004;39(1):212-220. PubMed
- Abdelhamid AS, et al. Omega-3 fatty acids for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2023;6(6):CD003177. PubMed
- Bhatt DL, et al. Cardiovascular Risk Reduction with Icosapent Ethyl for Hypertriglyceridemia. N Engl J Med. 2019;380(1):11-22. NEJM
Li F, et al. Efficacy of omega-3 fatty acids in depression: A meta-analysis.Transl Psychiatry. 2019;9(1):190. PubMed
