A recent analysis of females from the Harvard School of Public Health suggested that RBC omega-3 levels as high as 8.99% were still associated with non-fatal heart attack (myocardial infarction), compared to 9.36% in those without heart attacks. This suggests that even higher levels are necessary to prevent non-fatal events. 

What's your omega-3 index?

The appreciation of the importance of omega-3 fatty acids marks one of the greatest health revelations of the last 50 years. We can now measure it.

The ability to measure the proportion of omega-3 fatty acids in red blood cells may provide yet another means for all of us to further reduce risk for cardiovascular events.

Right now, the omega-3 index is available by your doctor's order, though only a few select labs are performing it. However, as demand for this useful test grows, it will likely make it to your local laboratory within the next couple of years. In the meantime, anyone concerned about risk for heart attack and stroke should be taking at least 1000 mg per day of omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA. In our program for heart disease reversal, we start at a daily EPA and DHA intake of 1800 mg per day.