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Essential4Health

Get Healthy ~ Stay Healthy

Essential4Health

Get Healthy ~ Stay Healthy

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Unsaturated Fatty Acids-to-Saturated Fatty Acids Ratio

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UFA / SFA

Description

"Unsaturated Fatty Acids-to-Saturated Fatty Acids Ratio" test evaluates the balance between heart-healthy unsaturated fats and potentially harmful saturated fats in your blood. It’s commonly used to assess dietary patterns, fat metabolism, and cardiovascular risk. Doctors may recommend this test if you have high cholesterol, insulin resistance, or a family history of heart disease. A lower ratio may suggest a diet too high in saturated fat. This test supports personalized dietary planning and long-term lipid management.

"Unsaturated Fatty Acids-to-Saturated Fatty Acids Ratio" test evaluates the balance between heart-healthy unsaturated fats and potentially harmful saturated fats in your blood. It’s commonly used to assess dietary patterns, fat metabolism, and cardiovascular risk. Doctors may recommend this test if you have high cholesterol, insulin resistance, or a family history of heart disease. A lower ratio may suggest a diet too high in saturated fat. This test supports personalized dietary planning and long-term lipid management.

Category

Fatty Acids

Procedure

Invasive

Sample Type

Blood – Plasma

Units

Ratio

Procedure Category

Blood Draw

Test Group

Fatty Acid Group, Cognitive Health Group

Test Group Description

Cognitive Health Group: This group of tailored tests is aimed at evaluating cognitive function and assessing markers related to cognitive health, providing valuable insights for cognitive well-being and potential cognitive disorders. Fatty Acid Group: Evaluates fatty acid levels, offering insights into lipid metabolism and associated health conditions.

Optimal Range

For All Individuals:

  • Conventional Unit: Not Available

  • SI Unit: Not Available

Normal Range

For All Individuals:

  • Conventional Unit: >2.25 R

  • SI Unit: Not Applicable

Results That Differ From The Norm (Direct and Indirect Causes)

Abnormal results may indicate:


  • Alcohol-induced liver disease (Liver damage due to excessive alcohol consumption)

  • Cardiovascular disease (Heart and blood vessel disorders)

  • Chronic inflammation (Persistent immune system response)

  • Cushing's syndrome (Hormonal disorder causing high cortisol levels)

  • Excessive saturated fat intake

  • Genetic lip...

Key Reasons For Testing

  • Cardiovascular Risk Assessment: Indicates cardiovascular risk, with higher ratios linked to a healthier lipid profile.

  • Lipid Profile Evaluation: Provides insights into the balance between unsaturated and saturated fats.

  • Dietary Assessment: Reflects dietary fat intake, helping evaluate adherence to heart-healthy diets.

Health Status Conditions It May Be Used To Assess

Currently, this test is not directly associated with any conditions listed on the Health Status page. However, it may be included as part of a broader set of tests linked to specific health conditions.

Some Prominent Medical Labs That May Offer This Test

Please note that this particular test has not been associated with any of the listed prominent medical labs. We recommend enquiring with your private physician or nearest hospital to determine where this specific test can be performed.

References

Important Note

Any medical procedure yielding results outside the norm may be directly or indirectly linked to the conditions outlined on this page. Various factors, including genetics, medication and supplement usage, recent illnesses, pregnancy, pre-test eating, smoking, and stress, can impact the test's outcome. Additionally, factors like false positives, false negatives, inaccurate analyses, and others can influence results.


Reference ranges, which help healthcare professionals interpret medical tests, may vary depending on age, gender, and other factors. They may also differ between laboratories due to variations in instruments and methods used. Optimal ranges are designed for preventive purposes, aiming to identify trends and potential risks early, while normal ranges reflect conventional laboratory values indicating no current disease or pathology. Your healthcare practitioner may have specific reasons for testing that deviate from the usual or may interpret results differently based on individual circumstances. Proper interpretation typically involves considering clinical findings and other diagnostic tests. Hence, it is crucial to provide your healthcare professionals with a comprehensive medical history, consult with them for result interpretation, and follow their guidance for potential re-testing or additional diagnostics.

Disclaimer

This content is provided solely for informative and educational purposes. It is not intended as a substitute for medical advice or treatment from a personal physician. Regarding the interpretation of their medical test results and/or specific health questions, it is recommended that all readers and viewers consult their physicians or other qualified health professionals. The publisher is not responsible for any adverse health effects that may result from reading or following the information in this educational content. Before beginning any nutrition, supplement, or lifestyle program, all viewers, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physician or health care practitioner.


Please note that while prominent lab names are included in this content, we cannot guarantee that these labs offer all the tests mentioned. For confirmation, individuals should contact the labs directly or consult their medical practitioners. The information provided reflects general knowledge at the time of publication and may not include recent updates or emerging research. Readers should verify details with qualified professionals to ensure the most up-to-date and accurate guidance.

[1] Simopoulos AP. The Importance of the Omega-6/Omega-3 Fatty Acid Ratio in Cardiovascular Disease and Other Chronic Diseases. Exp Biol Med. 2008;233(6):674-688.

[2] Wang Y, Botolin D, Christian B, Jump DB. Fatty Acid Regulation of Hepatic Gene Expression: Correlation with Histone Acetylation. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. 2005;289(5).

[3] Kris-Etherton PM, Harris WS, Appel LJ. Fish Consumption, Fish Oil, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, and Cardiovascular Disease. Circulation. 2002;106(21):2747-2757.

[4] Mozaffarian D, Micha R, Wallace S. Effects on Coronary Heart Disease of Increasing Polyunsaturated Fat in Place of Saturated Fat: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. PLoS Med. 2010;7(3).

[5] Nakamura MT, Nara TY. Structure, Function, and Dietary Regulation of Δ6, Δ5, and Δ9 Desaturases. Annu Rev Nutr. 2004;24:345-376.

[6] Ulven SM, Holven KB. Comparison of Bioavailability and Biological Effects of Plant Versus Marine Omega-3 Fatty Acids. Nutrients. 2015;7(6):4077-4095.

[7] de Roos B, Mavrommatis Y, Brouwer IA. Long-Chain n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids: New Insights into Mechanisms Relating to Inflammation and Cardiovascular Disease. Curr Atheroscler Rep. 2009;11(6):422-429.

[8] Jakobsen MU, O'Reilly EJ, Heitmann BL, et al. Major Types of Dietary Fat and Risk of Coronary Heart Disease: A Pooled Analysis of 11 Cohort Studies. Am J Clin Nutr. 2009;89(5):1425-1432.

[9] Calder PC. Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Inflammatory Processes. Nutrients. 2010;2(3):355-374.

[10] Fats and Fatty Acids in Human Nutrition. Report of an Expert Consultation. FAO Food Nutr Pap. 2010;91:1-166.

[11] Iggman D, Risérus U. Role of Different Dietary Saturated Fats in Cardiometabolic Disease. J Clin Lipidol. 2011;5(1):27-32.

[12] Astrup A, Magkos F, Bier DM, et al. Saturated Fats and Health: A Reassessment and Proposal for Food-Based Recommendations. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2020;76(7):844-857.

[13] Siri-Tarino PW, Sun Q, Hu FB, Krauss RM. Saturated Fatty Acids and Risk of Coronary Heart Disease: Modulation by Replacement Nutrients. Curr Atheroscler Rep. 2010;12(6):384-390.

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