Sioux Falls, SD—The International Society for the Study of Fatty Acids and Lipids (ISSFAL) has put together a formal statement regarding the importance of omega-3 blood testing in research studies, according to a press release from OmegaQuant.

The release summarizes the statement as:

Omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 LCPUFA) levels at baseline and post-intervention should be assessed and reported in future research to evaluate the efficacy of n-3 LCPUFA supplementation because -- 1. there are numerous factors that affect n-3 LCPUFA levels in humans as described in the systematic literature review; 2. assessing intake of n-3 LCPUFA from the diet and/or supplements is not sufficient to accurately determine n-3 LCPUFA levels in humans; 3. some studies do not provide sufficient doses of n-3 LCPUFA to produce a significant impact on bloodstream/organ content and there is substantial variability in the uptake of n-3 LPCUFA into tissues between individuals. 
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The release notes that studies around omega-3 supplementation have shown differing and sometimes conflicting results, which may be in part due to differing initial omega-3 levels in study subjects.

Peter Clough, Honorary Secretary of ISSFAL, said in the release: “ISSFAL Statements and Recommendations are generally well respected for being independent, authoritative, and clear, and we hope this latest one will also encourage ‘best practice’ in the design and interpretation of studies and trials.”

William S. Harris, Ph.D., Founder of OmegaQuant, commented: “Our ultimate goal from the very beginning was to substantiate the Omega-3 Index, so that it would eventually become the standard of care like a cholesterol test. I think we are closer than ever to achieving this with the support of ISSFAL’s new statement. In the meantime, we are fortunate enough to be in the position of not only offering Omega-3 Index testing to the worldwide research community, but also to healthcare practitioners and individuals. Everyone should have access to this safe, simple, convenient test, especially since it can be tied to several important health outcomes, including heart, brain, eye, and prenatal health.”

The statement isavailable onlineprior to publication inProstaglandins, Leukotrienes, and Essential Fatty Acids, ISSFAL’s official journal.