Omega 3 and Omega 6 are essential fatty acids that play important roles in heart health, brain function, and inflammation. An imbalance of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids in the diet may contribute to chronic diseases such as heart disease and autoimmune disorders.
[Author 1], [Author 2], …, [Author N]. An Increase in the Omega-6/Omega-3 Fatty Acid Ratio Increases the Risk of Obesity. [Jornal Name] (2018). https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/8/3/128
[Author 1], [Author 2], …, [Author N]. Beneficial Outcomes of Omega-6 and Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids on Human Health: An Update for 2021. [Jornal Name] (2021). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8308533/
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is an omega-3 fatty acid. Higher levels of DHA would directly increase the omega-3 to omega-6 ratio.
Ivana Djuricic, Philip C. Calder. Beneficial Outcomes of Omega-6 and Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids on Human Health: An Update for 2021. Nutrients (2021). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8308533/
Michal Havel, Jirí Jankovský, et al.. An Increase in the Omega-6/Omega-3 Fatty Acid Ratio Increases the Risk of Obesity. Nutrients (2017). https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/8/3/128
Eicosadienoic acid is an omega-6 fatty acid. Elevated levels would shift the balance toward more omega-6.
James H. O’Keefe, D. Williamson, and P. O’Keefe. The Importance of Maintaining a Low Omega-6/Omega-3 Ratio for Reducing the Risk of Autoimmune Diseases, Asthma, and Allergies. Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2022). https://www.jacc.org/doi/full/10.1016/j.jacc.2022.02.029
Y. Wang, D. Xu, and J. Zhao. Higher ratio of plasma omega-6/omega-3 fatty acids is associated with increased all-cause, cancer, and CVD mortality in a large US cohort. eLife (2023). https://elifesciences.org/reviewed-preprints/90132v2
Alessandro Antonietti, et al.. Associations between Dietary Intake, Blood Levels of Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fatty Acids and Reading Abilities in Children. Biomolecules (2023). https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/13/2/368
Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) is an omega-3 fatty acid. Higher EPA levels would increase the omega-3 to omega-6 ratio.
Simopoulos, A. P.. An Increase in the Omega-6/Omega-3 Fatty Acid Ratio Increases the Risk of Obesity in Humans: A Review. Nutrients (2016). https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/8/3/128
Delgado-Lista, J., et al.. Global survey of the omega-3 fatty acids, docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid, in the bloodstream of healthy adults worldwide. Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids (2015). https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0163782715300333
James J DiNicolantonio, James OKeefe. Importance of maintaining a low omega-6/omega-3 ratio for reducing platelet aggregation, coagulation and thrombosis. NCBI (2019). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6546183/
Mateusz Cholewski, Monika Tomczykowa, Michał Tomczyk. A Comprehensive Review of Chemistry, Sources and Bioavailability of Omega-3 Fatty Acids. Nutrients (2018). https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/10/11/1662
Palmitic acid competes with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for incorporation into cell membranes. Higher levels may lower omega-3 and 6.
Simopoulos, A.P.. An Increase in the Omega-6/Omega-3 Fatty Acid Ratio Increases the Risk of Obesity. Healthy Agriculture, Healthy Nutrition, Healthy People (2011). https://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/329753
Balić, A., Vlašić, D., Žužul, K., Marinović, B.. Omega-3 Versus Omega-6 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in the Prevention and Treatment of Inflammatory Skin Diseases. Nutrients (2020). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7037798/
