Omega-6 Total (O6)

What is Omega-6 Total?

Omega-6 total measures the percentage of omega-6 fatty acids in your blood, including linoleic acid and arachidonic acid. While essential for health, omega-6 fatty acids are pro-inflammatory and need to be balanced with anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids for optimal health.

Why is it Tested?

Healthcare providers test omega-6 levels to evaluate inflammatory balance, assess dietary fatty acid patterns, and help optimize the omega-6 to omega-3 ratio. Most modern diets contain excess omega-6 relative to omega-3, which can promote chronic inflammation.

Normal Ranges

Omega-6 fatty acid levels:

Typical Western diet: 20–25% of total fatty acids
Balanced range: 15–20%
Optimal (with adequate omega-3): Variable, depending on omega-3 levels

The absolute level matters less than the ratio to omega-3 fatty acids for inflammatory balance.

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 Omega-6 Levels

Elevated omega-6 may indicate:

Typical Western diet pattern
Excessive vegetable oil consumption
Processed food intake
Potentially pro-inflammatory status
Need to balance with omega-3 increase

Very Low Omega-6 Levels

Extremely low levels may suggest:

Essential fatty acid deficiency
Severe dietary restriction
Malabsorption disorders
Need for balanced fatty acid intake

How to Track Over Time

Monitoring omega-6 levels alongside omega-3 helps optimize inflammatory balance. The goal isn’t necessarily to minimize omega-6 but to achieve a healthy ratio with omega-3. Tracking both helps guide dietary choices toward better overall fatty acid balance and reduced inflammatory potential.

Omega-6 Total