von Schacky Clemens
Omegametrix, Martinsried, Germany and Preventive Cardiology, University of Munich, Germany.
Proc Nutr Soc. 2020 May 11:1-7. doi: 10.1017/S0029665120006989.
The omega-3 index, the percentage of EPA plus DHA in erythrocytes (measured by standardised analysis), represents a human body's status in EPA and DHA. An omega-3 index is measured in many laboratories around the world; however, even small differences in analytical methods entail large differences in results. Nevertheless, results are frequently related to the target range of 8-11 %, defined for the original and scientifically validated method (HS-Omega-3 Index®), raising ethical issues, and calling for standardisation. No human subject has an omega-3 index <2 %, indicating a vital minimum. Thus, the absence of EPA and DHA cannot be tested against presence. Moreover, clinical events correlate with levels, less with the dose of EPA and DHA, and the bioavailability of EPA and DHA varies inter-individually. Therefore, the effects of EPA and DHA are difficult to demonstrate using typical drug trial methods. Recent epidemiologic data further support the relevance of the omega-3 index in the cardiovascular field, since total mortality, cardiovascular mortality, cardiovascular events such as myocardial infarction or stroke, or blood pressure all correlate inversely with the omega-3 index. The omega-3 index directly correlates with complex brain functions. Compiling recent data supports the target range for the omega-3 index of 8-11 % in pregnancy. Many other potential applications have emerged. Some, but not all health issues mentioned have already been demonstrated to be improved by increasing intake of EPA and DHA. Increasing the omega-3 index into the target range of 8-11 % with individualised doses of toxin-free sources for EPA and DHA is tolerable and safe.
ω-3指数，即红细胞中二十碳五烯酸（EPA）加二十二碳六烯酸（DHA）的百分比（通过标准化分析测量），代表了人体中EPA和DHA的状态。世界各地的许多实验室都在测量ω-3指数；然而，即使分析方法上的微小差异也会导致结果出现很大差异。尽管如此，结果常常与最初经过科学验证的方法（HS-Omega-3 Index®）所定义的8-11%的目标范围相关，这引发了伦理问题，并呼吁进行标准化。没有人类受试者的ω-3指数低于2%，这表明了一个至关重要的最低值。因此，无法针对EPA和DHA的存在情况来测试其缺失情况。此外，临床事件与水平相关，而与EPA和DHA的剂量相关性较小，并且EPA和DHA的生物利用度存在个体差异。因此，使用典型的药物试验方法很难证明EPA和DHA的效果。最近的流行病学数据进一步支持了ω-3指数在心血管领域的相关性，因为总死亡率、心血管死亡率、诸如心肌梗死或中风等心血管事件或血压都与ω-3指数呈负相关。ω-3指数与复杂的脑功能直接相关。汇总近期数据支持孕期ω-3指数的目标范围为8-11%。许多其他潜在应用也已出现。提到的一些（但并非全部）健康问题已被证明可通过增加EPA和DHA的摄入量得到改善。使用个性化剂量的无毒素来源的EPA和DHA将ω-3指数提高到8-11%的目标范围是可以耐受且安全的。
