This Blood Test Could Save Your Life

Written by: Dr. Jeffrey Barke

If you can’t measure it, you can’t improve it. Measure the ratio of AA:EPA in your blood and you have an accurate account of your future health.

We all try to take good care of ourselves with the belief that if we do so we will reduce the chances of serious illness. We make attempts to eat healthy, we exercise, we don’t smoke, and we try not to drink too much. Our bargain is if we do these things we are less likely to get: cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and maybe even cancer. Are we sure? How do we know? What can we measure?

The answers to these questions are difficult and imperfect. Here’s my thesis. Cellular inflammation is the foundation upon which our genetic expression of disease occurs. Control inflammation and we reduce the chances of disease. Full disclosure: Much of my statements are supported by research. However, I take common sense liberty in broadening what the research shows.

Inflammation in our body can be seen by measuring fatty acids. Fatty acids are the building blocks of eicosanoids. Eicosanoids are hormonal messengers in the body that control inflammation, and are produced in every living cell in the body. Manipulating eicosanoids through nutrition and supplements can change cellular inflammation. The ratio of AA (arachidonic acid an omega-6 inflammatory fatty acid) to EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid an omega-3 anti-inflammatory fatty acid) is a measure of “Cellular Inflammation.” This term cellular inflammation was coined by Dr. Barry Sears. Yes, the Barry Sears that wrote the nutrition book “The Zone” and the more recent book “Toxic Fat.” Control cellular inflammation and you control the development of chronic disease.

The AA:EPA ratio can be altered by changing our nutrition and by taking fish-oil. AA (arachidonic acid) is found in processed foods, egg yolks, and animal fat. It can also be produced by the over-consumption of cheap refined carbohydrates and vegetable oils. If you minimize or eliminate these food sources you reduce inflammatory arachidonic acid in your body. EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) is found in fatty fish such as salmon and sardines, and in fish-oil supplements. If you increase these food sources you increase the levels of anti-inflammatory EPA in your body.

The easiest way to reduce your AA:EPA ratio is to take fish-oil. A caution is in order however. Not all fish-oil is created equal. Fish, in general, is polluted. Eat too much fish and you are likely to get too much mercury and other pollutants like PCBs. Take too much impure fish-oil and the same is true. The fish-oil I take and recommend is the product produce by Zone Labs (Dr. Sears’ company) called OmegaRx.

I take this product for three reasons:

1. I believe it is the purest fish-oil on the market and every batch is verified by an independent 3rd party lab.
2. It has an EPA:DHA ratio of 2:1. Most of us get plenty of DHA but lack EPA therefore this ratio is important.
3. If I’m going to spend a fair amount of money on fish-oil I might as well support Dr. Sears as I believe his research into nutrition and inflammation is important work.

Control cellular inflammation and you control the genetic expression of disease. Measure the AA:EPA ratio in your blood to know your level of cellular inflammation. Most importantly, you can change it and your blood will tell within 30 days.