How Knowing Your Omega-3 Levels Unlocks a Path to Heart Health
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07/20/2009
New Omega-3 Index Part of Comprehensive Lab Test to Help Combat Cardiovascular Disease.
Starting today, Cooper Clinic has added a new lab test measuring omega-3 index—one of 56 lab values in the comprehensive laboratory testing, which is a key component of the comprehensive medical exam. Cooper Clinic is one of the first in the country to offer this innovative test to identify patients who need additional omega-3 fatty acids to help modify cardiovascular and other health risks.
“Identifying patients with low levels of omega-3 will allow physicians to tailor recommendations based on an individual’s needs, not just general guidelines,” says Dr. Tedd Mitchell, President and CEO of Cooper Clinic. “Adding this test is in keeping with our philosophy of preventive medicine and spending ample time to counsel our patients. The more an individual knows about their specific risks and how to combat them, the more empowered they become to take charge of their own health.”
The omega-3 index represents the percent of omega-3 fatty acids in your red blood cells compared to the total red blood cell fatty acids. If a low level is detected, appropriate dietary changes and supplementation may be recommended. Desirable index levels are 8 percent or higher. An index at 4 percent or less is considered undesirable.
“The value of knowing the omega-3 index, is becoming just as important as knowing cholesterol numbers,” says Todd Whitthorne, Vitamin Expert for Cooper Concepts, Inc., the company that markets Cooper Complete® multivitamins and supplements. “Knowing your level allows you to set an objective goal for improving your health.
If your index is low then it’s easy to correct by increasing the consumption of fatty fish or by taking a fish oil supplement like Cooper Complete® Advanced Omega-3.”
The benefits of omega-3 are well documented with over 18,000 published studies. Research shows that higher levels of omega-3 reduce cardiovascular risk, inflammation, lower triglycerides and are good for brain health. They also may reduce autoimmune diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.
The best dietary sources of omega-3s are long chain fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) found in fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, herring, lake trout, albacore tuna, sardines, and anchovies.
Patients that come in to Cooper Clinic for a comprehensive physical exam will have their omega-3 tested as part of the standard lab analysis. Any Cooper Clinic patient that has had an exam prior to July 20 can make an appointment for an omega-3 index test for $95. Blood samples are sent to OmegaQuant Analytics, LLC, which provides the HS-Omega-3™ Index report analysis to Cooper Clinic. Patients receive the results and recommendations from their physician in two to three days.
About Cooper Clinic
Cooper Clinic, a Cooper Aerobics company based at the world-renowned Cooper Aerobics Center in Dallas, helps patients Get Cooperized™ by giving them an in-depth picture of their health and an action plan to improve it. A leading preventive medicine facility offering same-day results, Cooper Clinic provides comprehensive physical exams, cardiology, breast health, preventive and cosmetic dermatology, gastroenterology, imaging and nutrition services. Founded in 1970 by preventive medicine pioneer and “father of aerobics” Kenneth H. Cooper, MD, MPH, Cooper Clinic has seen more than 100,000 patients and performed more than 265,000 physical exams. For more information call 866.906.COOP (2667) or visit cooper-clinic.com.