Episode #151: Dr. Bill Harris: Fatty Acids and The Omega-3 Index

I'm joined by Dr. Bill Harris, PhD, FASN, President of the Fatty Acid Research Institute and Founder of OmegaQuant Analytics. We're diving into omega-6s and omega-3s and discussing the benefits of these fatty acids and where they come from. We also cover the importance of maintaining a ratio of omega-6 and omega-3, and whether or not omega-3s have an effect on blood clotting and blood circulation.

Dr. Harris has been a leading researcher in the omega-3 fatty acid field for over 40 years. He has more than 300 scientific papers on fatty acids and health, the vast majority on omega-3. He has been on the faculty of three medical schools (Universities of Kansas, Missouri (at Kansas City), and South Dakota), and has received 5 NIH grants to study omega-3. He was the co-author on three AHA statements on fatty acids and heart health. As the co-inventor of the Omega-3 Index (and other omega-3 blood tests) and founder of OmegaQuant Analytics, Dr. Harris has been ranked among the top 2% of scientists worldwide based on the impact of his research.

What we discuss:

00:02:38 - Omega-3s and their effects on blood clotting and blood circulation

00:07:23 - The value of omega-6

00:11:54 - The ratio of omega-6 and omega-3

00:18:03 - Where do arachidonic acid and linoleic acid come from, and what do they do?

00:25:22 - The components of omega-3s

00:31:04 - EPA and DHA

00:41:35 - Is there a relationship between omega-6 and omega-3 levels and longevity?

00:46:31 - Fish as a source of omega-3

00:57:21 - Mammalian sourced omega-3s

01:06:35 - 3 things to keep in mind about omega-3s and omega-6s

Key Takeaways:

• Looking at levels of omega-6 fatty acids in the blood can predict future diseases like heart disease and diabetes.

• Increasing your levels of omega-3 is more important than worrying about getting your omega-6 levels down in order to have a good ratio between the two.

• It's important to measure your omega-3 levels. These levels are predictive of good health outcomes and even cholesterol levels.

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Website: www.omegaquant.com, www.fareinst.com

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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZhRX5MX7-dFLXNZjsjhKKw

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