About Arachidonic Acid/EPA Ratio
The Arachidonic Acid/EPA Ratio is a biomarker that measures the balance between pro-inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids and anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids in the body. Arachidonic acid (AA) is a polyunsaturated omega-6 fatty acid involved in cellular signaling and inflammation, while eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) is an omega-3 fatty acid known for its anti-inflammatory properties. This ratio is important for assessing the inflammatory status of an individual and their risk for inflammatory-related health conditions.
Reference Values
Health Implications
{'high': 'Elevated levels may indicate an increased risk of chronic inflammation-related conditions, such as cardiovascular diseases, due to an imbalance favoring pro-inflammatory states.', 'low': 'Low levels may be associated with inadequate cellular function and impaired inflammatory response, which could affect immune resilience and healing processes.'}
Symptoms
Lifestyle Factors
Specimen Type
Testing Methods
Scientific Sources
- Harris, W. S., & Shearer, G. C. (2018). Omega-6 Fatty Acids and Cardiovascular Disease: Friend or Foe? *Circulation*, 138(1), 1–3.
- Innes, J. K., & Calder, P. C. (2018). Omega-6 fatty acids and inflammation. *Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids*, 132, 41–48.
- Simopoulos, A. P. (2020). The importance of the ratio of omega-6/omega-3 essential fatty acids. *Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy*, 145, 112385.
- Calder, P. C. (2020). Omega-3 fatty acids and inflammatory processes: From molecules to man. *Biochemical Society Transactions*, 48(1), 51–59.
- Calder, P. C. (2017). Omega-3 fatty acids and inflammatory processes: From molecules to man. *Biochemical Society Transactions*, 45(5), 1105–1115.