The target
The BalanceTest report's target is at least 8%, and above 10% is even better. A value is neither an alarm nor a diagnosis.
Free guide
The omega 3 index: what it measures, how to check yours
One percentage, often quoted, rarely explained. Here is exactly what the omega 3 index measures, where it comes from, and how to know yours.
Emmanuel MartineauZinzino Independent Partner · updated on November 2, 2026
The definition
The omega 3 index is the share of two fatty acids, EPA and DHA, in the membrane of red blood cells, as a percentage of all their fatty acids. It was proposed in 2004 by researchers William Harris and Clemens von Schacky, in the journal Preventive Medicine.
Why red blood cells
A red blood cell lives about 120 days. Its composition therefore reflects your diet over the last few months, and changes little from one meal to the next. That is why you test again at 120 days.
What value to aim for?
Read it with
The omega 6:3 ratio, which compares omega 6 with omega 3. The index measures an amount, the ratio a balance.
My index, test after test
| Test | Omega 3 index |
|---|---|
| May 2025 | 1.6% |
| September 2025 | 5.2% |
| March 2026 | 4.9% |
| August 2026 | 6.8% |
My personal results, as they are: 6.8% in August 2026, for a report target of at least 8%.
How to measure it
With a red blood cell fatty acid analysis. At a lab, it has to be requested specifically. At home, a few drops of blood from the fingertip are enough: the BalanceTest is analyzed by the independent Vitas laboratory in Norway, with results online in 10 to 20 days. The comparison is in the guide omega 3 test in Canada, at home or at a lab. Once you have your report, see how to read each line. The kit is delivered anywhere in Canada.
You cannot guess your index. You measure it.
The BalanceTest gives your omega 3 index and your omega 6:3 ratio. It is ordered from the official Zinzino Canada shop, delivered anywhere in Canada, and the subscription kit includes a second test at 120 days.
Frequently asked questions
Are the omega 3 index and the omega 6:3 ratio the same?
No. The index measures the share of EPA and DHA; the ratio compares the amount of omega 6 with that of omega 3.
Does omega 3 from flax count in the index?
No. The index only counts EPA and DHA. Plant omega 3 (ALA) is not part of it.
Does my usual blood test give the index?
No. A routine lipid panel gives cholesterol and triglycerides, not the omega 3 index.
Is the test a diagnosis?
No. It is an analysis for information only. For any health question, talk to a health professional.