Abstract
Studies have shown that the ratio of n-6:n-3 fatty acids in red cell membranes provides an objective biomarker of the relative intakes of westernized and traditional diets. Thus, an increase in the ratio is associated with risk for the development of westernized diseases. Whole human blood was analyzed for targeted omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids. An aliquot was washed with Dulbecco's Phosphate Buffered Saline and centrifuged to form a pellet.
Highlights
There is good evidence that omega-3 fatty acids are important to human health
Chromatography was excellent for the calibration standards as well as for the National Institutes of Standards and Technology (NIST) fish oil standard solution and the RBC composite sample (Figure 1a, Figure 1b, and Figure 1c)
Precision: Precision was excellent for the NIST fish oil standard and the composite whole blood sample, with CVs of 2 and 3%, respectively, for the ω-6/ω-3 ratios (Table 1 and Table 2)
Summary
There is good evidence that omega-3 fatty acids are important to human health. Omega-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties and have coronary benefits and anti-carcinogenic properties, including decreased risk of colon cancer. The presence of such fatty acids in red blood cell membranes is an indicator of dietary habits. Within the general category of these fatty acids, specific omega-3’s and -6’s have been found to be important indicators. The specific omega-3s are α-Linolenic Acid (ALA-18:3, ω-3), Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA-20:5, ω-3), and Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA-22:6, ω-3); and the specific omega-6s are Linoleic Acid (LA-18:2, ω-6) Arachidonic Acid (AA20:4, ω-6)
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