Project Background
Omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) have been recognized to provide significant health benefits, and increasing evidence suggests there is a direct link between an individuals’ Omega-3 Index (O3i) score and longevity.
Research indicates that the optimal O3i is >8% while an index <4% may be regarded as a risk factor.
The average O3i in the U.S. is estimated to be around 4%, which is significantly lower than the desirable O3i level of +8%.
A recent meta-analysis that included over 27,000 subjects concluded that O3i is a better indicator of longevity than one of the most well known markers of wellness, cholesterol.
With low consumption of Omega-3s, there is an imbalance towards the intake of Omega-6 fatty acids, which may increase inflammation and disease.
Project Goal
The goal of the present study was to monitor the effects of daily dosing with Brain Armor's Omega-3+ formula that includes algal derived Omega-3s, plus other clinically proven brain supporting nutrients, on individual O3i levels, and further examine its effects on inflammatory markers.
The omega-3 index (O3i) is a measure of the amount of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids in the red blood cells.
The Omega-6 to Omega-3 ratio is a measure of the difference between the amounts of Omega-6 and Omega-3 fatty acids in the red blood cells.
Measures the level of cellular inflammation in the body.
Project Method
The current study sample consisted of 56 human volunteers (46 male, 10 female) aged 3 to 66 years old.
Participants were recruited from the general community, resided throughout the United States of America, and exhibited different health histories, daily food intake, and physical activity practices.
Each participant took an initial Omega Quant Omega-3 Index test to establish baseline outcome levels. Each participant was then provided with, and instructed to take, a daily dose of Brain Armor’s Omega-3+ supplement that was compatible for their age, and to remain consistent with other variables of their diet and exercise routine.
This was not a clinically controlled study. All participants were given the supplementation to take under instruction with regular check ins to ensure best consistency and compliance.
Results
For the study group, the average baseline O3i was 5.59%. Over the 90 days of supplementation there were great changes in outcome measures with an average increase in O3i of 65.79%, an average decrease in Omega6 : Omega3 ratio of 35.31%, and an average decrease of AA : EPA of 51.46%.
Overall, every single participant demonstrated an increase in O3i levels using Brain Armor’s new formula for 90 days, even those who were taking Omega-3 supplementation from another source prior to the start of the study.
By the end of the 90 days, 71.42% of all participants had reached, or exceeded, the optimal O3i level of 8% O3i compared to 10% of people who already had an 8% O3i at baseline.
The average Omega-3 Index increase has been calculated by taking the sum of the percentage increase for each participant and dividing by the number of participants in the study.
For the study group, the average baseline Omega6: Omega 3 was 7.35:1. Over the 90 days of supplementation there was an average decrease in Omega6: Omega3 ratio of 35.31% bringing the group average down (closer to the ideal range of 3:1) to 4.5:1.
9% of the study participants reached or exceeded the optimal Omega 6: Omega 3 ratio of 3:1 compared to the baseline 1.7% who were at the optimal ratio.
The average Omega-6 : Omega-3 decrease has been calculated by taking the sum of the percentage decrease for each participant and dividing by the number of participants in the study.
For the study group, the average baseline AA: EPA ratio was 21.8:1. Over the 90 days of supplementation there was an average decrease of AA: EPA of 51.46% bringing the group average down (closer to the ideas range of 3:1) to 7.76:1.
10.7% of the study participants reached or exceeded the optimal AA: EPA ratio of 3:1 compared to 0% of participants at baseline.
The average AA : EPA decrease has been calculated by taking the sum of the percentage decrease for each participant and dividing by the number of participants in the study.
In Conclusion
In this study 100% of the participants who supplemented with Brain Armor Omega-3+ supplements appropriate for their age for 90 days demonstrated an increase in O3i, even those who were supplementing with different sources of Omega-3s prior to the start of the study.
Similar results stand true for the other two health outcomes, Omega 6: Omega 3 ratio and AA: EPA ratio.
In this study 96.4% of the study participants demonstrated improvements in their Omega 6: Omega 3 ratio, and 91% of the study participants demonstrated improvements in AA: EPA ratio.