Essential and Metabolic Fatty Acids Markers (RBCs)
The Essential & Metabolic Fatty Acids Analysis (EMFA) assesses the critical balance between essential Omega-6/Omega-3 fatty acids, as well as additional key fatty acids important in metabolism and cellular function. Fatty acid imbalances can be a causative factor in a variety of chronic health conditions. The Essential and Metabolic Fatty Acids Analysis can indicate the need for fatty acid supplementation and/or dietary modification.
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Biomarkers included in this panel:
Essential fatty acids are classified into fat "families": omega 3 fats and omega 6 fats.
Learn moreWhen assessing fatty acids in RBCs, Genova measures a weighted percentage of fatty acids taken up into the erythrocyte wall. The total omega-6 percentage is a combined total weight percentage calculated by adding together each of the measured omega-6
Learn moreWhen assessing fatty acids in RBCs, Genova measures a weighted percentage of fatty acids taken up into the erythrocyte wall. The total omega-9 percentage is a combined total weight percentage calculated by adding up each of the measured omega-9s. In
Learn moreWhen assessing fatty acids in RBCs, Genova measures a weighted percentage of fatty acids taken up into the erythrocyte wall. The total saturated fatty acid percentage is a combined total weight percentage calculated by adding up each of the measured
Learn more8-hydroxy- 2’-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) is a byproduct of oxidative damage to guanine bases in DNA. It is used as a biomarker for oxidative stress and carcinogenesis. It has been studied to estimate DNA damage after exposure to carcinogens inc
Learn moreAlpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is plant-based essential omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids that must be obtained through the diet.
Learn moreThis test measures the ratio of arachidonic acid (AA) to eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) in plasma. This ratio of the principle omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids is a measure of the body’s eicosanoid balance. Balancing these eicosanoids in the body i
Learn moreArachidic acid (also called eicosanoic acid) is a long-chain saturated fatty acid. It is the elongation product of stearic acid and can be utilized as an energy source to build membranes.
Learn moreArachidonic acid is an inflammatory omega-6 fatty acid. Our bodies produce this nutrient, and its excess may lead to inflammatory diseases and mood disorders.
Learn moreSources: Found in water, air, soil, cigarettes, and cosmetics. Food grown in contaminated water sources, such as rice and vegetables, or fish, are a common source. Major sources of occupational exposureis the manufacture of pes
Learn moreBehenic acid is a saturated fatty acids, in particular it is part of the group of very long chain fatty acids (VLCFAs).
Learn moreSOURCES: Found in food such as shellfish, leafy vegetables, rice, cereals, cocoa butter, dried seaweed, and legumes. Also present in nickel cadmium batteries, cigarette smoke (including second-hand smoke), insecticides, fertilizer, motor oil, emis
Learn moreCoenzyme Q10 (ubiquinone, Q10 or UQ) is structurally related to vitamin E and is part of the mitochondrial respiratory chain in many organisms. It is essential for cellular energy production and also acts as an antioxidant in the body. Coenzyme Q10 i
Learn moreCopper is part of enzymes, which are proteins that help biochemical reactions occur in every cell. Copper is involved in the absorption, storage and metabolism of iron. The symptoms of a copper deficiency are similar to iron deficiency anemia. The li
Learn moreDihomogamma Linolenic Acid (DGLA) is the elongation product of Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). Dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA) is a fatty acid and part of the Omega-6 fatty acids family. Those fatty acids can predominatentely be found in vegetable
Learn moreDocosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is one of the omega-3 fatty acids.
Learn moreDocosapentaenoic acid, or DPA, is a lesser known member of the omega-3 family.
Learn moreDocosatetraenoic acid is also known as Adrenic acid / Adrenate. Docosatetraenoic acid is a member of the class of compounds known as very long-chain fatty acids. Fatty acids belong to one of three types or families: saturated, mo
Learn moreEicosadienoic acid is the elongation product of Gamma linolenic acid (GLA) and the direct precursor of Dihomogamma Linolenic (DGLA).
Learn moreEicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) is a Polyunsaturated Omega-3 Fatty Acid and is involved in the regulation of inflammatory processes and prevention of blood clots.
Learn moreElaidic acid is the most commonly found trans fatty acid found in cell membranes.
Learn moreThe fatty acid profile shows the balance of fats and their metabolites in plasma. Your overall balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fats is represented by the ratios of AA/EPA(arachidonic acid/eicosapentaenoic acid) and EPA/DGLA.
Learn moreGamma-linolenic acid (GLA) is an omega-6 fatty acid. The body converts linoleic acid to gamma-linolenic acid and then to arachidonic acid (AA). You can get gamma-linolenic acid from several plant-based oils, including evening primrose o
Learn moreGlutathione (GSH) is composed of cysteine, glutamine & glycine. GSH is a source of sulfate and plays a key role in antioxidant activity and detoxification of toxins.
Learn moreHeptadecanoic Acid is an odd chain fatty acid. Fatty acids with odd numbers of carbon atoms are produced primarily by initiating the synthetic series with the three carbon compound, propionic acid.
Learn moreLA/DGLA is a fatty acid ratio. LA/DGLA stands for linolenic acid (=LA) and dihomogammalinolenic acid (=DGLA). The LA/DGLA ratio is a biomarker that can indicate functional zinc deficiency.
Learn moreLead toxicity causes paralysis and pain in the extremities due to effects on demyelinization, axonal degeneration, and presynaptic block. Lead toxicity commonly affects sensory, visual, auditory, and cerebellar (coordination) functions, reflecting
Learn moreLignoceric Acid is a saturated fatty acids, in particular it is part of the group of very long chain fatty acids (VLCFAs).
Learn moreLinoleic acid is by far the most abundant polyunsaturated fatty acid in most human tissues. Linoleic acid is an essential fatty acid, and low levels indicate dietary insufficiency.
Learn moreLA/DGLA is a fatty acid ratio. LA/DGLA stands for linolenic acid (=LA) and dihomogammalinolenic acid (=DGLA). The LA/DGLA ratio is a biomarker that can indicate functional zinc deficiency.
Learn moreLipid peroxides are oxidative degradation products of lipids, generated by a free radical chain reaction. Because of their abundance of reactive hydrogens, polyunsaturated fatty acids are highly susceptible to lipid peroxidation, which compromises th
Learn moreManganese is a mineral that plays a key role in forming connective tissue, sex hormones, making blood clotting factors, bone health, wound healing and central nervous system function. Manganese is also essential for the absorption of calcium, as well
Learn moreMargaric acid is also known as heptadecanoic acid. It is a 17-carbon saturated fatty acid (17:0). Food sources mainly include milk and dairy products, though it can be endogenously made as well. Most research in fatty acid metabolism has focused o
Learn moreMercury is an element that is found all over the earth, in soil, rocks, and water. The issue with mercury is that if humans are exposed to it, depending on the amount, route, and duration of exposure, mercury can be toxic to humans.
Learn moreNervonic acid is a monounsaturated fatty acid. Nervonic acid has the longest carbon chain of all monounsaturated fatty acids. It is found in highest concentrations in nerve membranes, particularly in myelin sheaths, which are sleeves of fat
Learn moreOleic acid is the most common monounsaturated fatty acid in human cells.
Learn moreThe omega-3 index is defined as the RBC percentage sum of EPA+DHA, both of which are important antiinflammatory omega-3 fatty acids. This index was first proposed in 2004 as a cardiovascular risk factor by Dr. Willian S. Harris and Dr. Clemons von Sc
Learn moreThe omega-3 index is defined as the RBC percentage sum of EPA+DHA, both of which are important antiinflammatory omega-3 fatty acids. This index was first proposed in 2004 as a cardiovascular risk factor by Dr. Willian S. Harris and Dr. Clemons von Sc
Learn moreOmega-6:Omega-3 ratio is calculated by dividing the sum of all the omega-6 fatty acids by the sum of all the omega-3 fatty acids. Omega 6 and 3 are two essential fats that are categorized as polyunsaturated fatty acids, or PUFAs for shor
Learn morePalmitic acid is a saturated fatty acid. Palmitic and stearic acids are significant markers for high consumption of saturated fats.
Learn morePalmitoleic acid is a monounsaturated fatty acid. Palmitoleic acid is the desaturation product of palmitic acid. Since palmitic acid is predominant in human tissues where desaturase enzyme activity is present, one might expect relatively high le
Learn morePentadecanoic acid is an odd numbered fatty acid with a 15-carbon backbone (15:0) and widely considered as one biomarker to assess dairy consumption/intake. It is not normally synthesized by humans, but is found in trace amounts in dairy product
Learn moreSelenium is an essential element. It is a cofactor required to maintain activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), an enzyme that catalyzes the degradation of organic hydroperoxides. The absence of selenium correlates with loss of GSH-Px activity a
Learn moreStearic acid is a saturated fatty acid that is two carbon atoms longer than palmitic acid.
Learn moreThe stearic acid/oleic acid ratio from red blood cells is a marker for the presence of malignant tissue, particularly with prostate cancer. In tumors, the net result of changes in fatty acid metabolism is low stearic acid and high oleic acid, causing
Learn moreSources of exposure: Toothpastes, perfumes, soaps, food additives and dyes, plastics, food packages, plastic pipes, pesticides, paints, and pest repellents; air, water, and soil near places where naturally present in rocks. Health Effects:
Learn moreTricosanoic Acid is an odd chain fatty acid. Fatty acids with odd numbers of carbon atoms are produced primarily by initiating the synthetic series with the three carbon compound, propionic acid.
Learn moreVaccenic acid is a naturally occurring trans-fatty acid. Vaccenic acid is called this way as it is found in cow’s milk. The latin word vacca means cow.
Learn moreZinc is a primary nutrient that we need to thrive. It’s used in a variety of functions through the body including wound healing and creation of DNA. In North America, zinc deficiencies are rare and an unusually high level of zinc in the blood u
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