Omega-6:Omega-3 Ratio (O6/O3)

What is Omega-6:Omega-3 Ratio?

The omega-6:omega-3 ratio compares the balance between pro-inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids and anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids in your blood. This ratio is considered more important than absolute levels for determining inflammatory status and disease risk.

Why is it Tested?

Healthcare providers evaluate this ratio to assess inflammatory balance, cardiovascular disease risk, and overall fatty acid status. An optimal ratio supports healthy inflammation resolution, while an imbalanced ratio may contribute to chronic inflammatory conditions.

Normal Ranges

Omega-6:omega-3 ratio targets:

Optimal: 1:1 to 4:1 (omega-6:omega-3)
Acceptable: 4:1 to 10:1
High (typical Western diet): 15:1 to 20:1
Very high: Greater than 20:1

Lower ratios indicate better anti-inflammatory balance and reduced disease risk.

Reference ranges vary by authority. Track yours across multiple standards with automatic unit conversions in LabsVault.

What do Abnormal Results Mean?

Abnormal results are not a diagnosis. Always discuss your results with a qualified healthcare provider before making any medical decisions.

High Ratio (>10:1)

Elevated ratios may indicate:

Pro-inflammatory dietary pattern
Increased cardiovascular disease risk
Higher risk of inflammatory conditions
Need for omega-3 supplementation
Excessive processed food consumption

Very High Ratio (>20:1)

Extremely high ratios suggest:

Significant inflammatory imbalance
Typical Western diet pattern
Urgent need for dietary intervention
Potential for chronic inflammation
Maximum benefit from omega-3 intervention

How to Track Over Time

Monitoring this ratio helps guide dietary and supplement interventions for optimal inflammatory balance. Improving ratios through increased omega-3 intake or reduced omega-6 consumption can significantly impact inflammation levels and long-term health outcomes.

Omega-6:Omega-3 Ratio