Kelly.oconnor: Created

2025-05-08T01:34:46Z

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== What Does It Mean? ==

* Omega deficiency occurs when there is an imbalance or insufficient levels of essential fatty acids, particularly omega-3 and omega-6.
* Functional medicine addresses omega deficiencies by evaluating dietary intake, inflammation levels, and fatty acid metabolism.

== How Did We Get Here? ==

=== Root Causes & Contributing Factors: ===

* Poor Dietary Intake: Insufficient consumption of omega-3-rich foods such as fish, flaxseeds, and walnuts.
* Inflammation: Chronic inflammation can deplete omega-3 levels, leading to an imbalanced omega-6 to omega-3 ratio.
* Metabolic Dysfunction: Impaired fatty acid metabolism reduces omega-3 absorption and utilization.
* High Processed Food Consumption: Diets high in processed foods contain excessive omega-6 fatty acids, leading to an imbalance.

=== Signs & Symptoms: ===

* Dry, flaky skin and hair loss
* Increased inflammation and joint pain
* Cognitive dysfunction, brain fog, and mood imbalances
* Fatigue and poor energy levels
* Cardiovascular concerns due to an imbalanced lipid profile

=== Lab Test Findings ===
The following lab tests assess omega balance and fatty acid status:
{| class="wikitable"
|'''Lab Test Name'''
|'''Expected Changes'''
|'''Optimal Range'''
|-
|Arachidonic Acid : EPA Ratio
|Increased
|3.7-40.7 µg/mL
|-
|Arachidonic Acid (AA)
|Increased
|8.6-15.6 µg/mL
|-
|Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)
|Decreased
|1.2-3.9 µg/mL
|-
|Docosapentaenoic acid (DPA)
|Decreased
|0.8-1.8 µg/mL
|-
|Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA)
|Decreased
|0.2-2.3 µg/mL
|-
|Linoleic Acid
|Increased
|18.6-29.5 µg/mL
|-
|Neutrophil %
|Normal or Increased
|48.00-60.00 %
|-
|Omega-3 total
|Decreased
|5.4-10 µg/mL
|-
|Omega-6 : Omega-3 Ratio
|Increased
|3.7-14.4
|-
|Omega-6 total
|Increased
|11-43 µg/mL
|-
|Omegacheck (EPA+DPA+DHA)
|Decreased
|5.4-50 µg/mL
|}

== How Do We Treat It? ==
Treatment focuses on restoring omega balance through dietary and supplementation strategies.

=== Supplement Protocol ===
{| class="wikitable"
|'''Supplement'''
|''' Function'''
|'''Dosage & Frequency'''
|-
|Vita-Omega
|Provides essential omega-3 fatty acids (EPA, DHA) to correct deficiency
|2 capsules with food, daily
|}

=== Additional Lifestyle Interventions: ===

* Increase Omega-3 Intake: Consume fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, sardines) and flaxseeds.
* Reduce Processed Foods: Minimize omega-6-rich processed foods and vegetable oils.
* Monitor Lipid Levels: Regular testing of omega-3 and omega-6 levels to track progress.
* Manage Inflammation: Implement an anti-inflammatory diet and lifestyle modifications.

Omega Deficiency - Revision history

Kelly.oconnor: Created