How healthy are your cells? : Test First, Then Decide What You Need

Most of us have had blood tests for things such as iron, cholesterol, blood sugar or vitamin D. But there is another aspect of health that is rarely assessed: the balance of fats incorporated into our cell membranes. Every cell in your body is surrounded by a membrane made largely from fats. This membrane is not meant to behave like a hard shell. It needs an appropriate degree of fluidity and flexibility so that membrane proteins can function properly, cells can communicate, and substances can be transported into and out of the cell. Think about the nutrients you consume via food, drink and supplements. Likewise, think about all of the cellular waste that must come out of a cell on a daily basis to keep the little factories running efficiently.

Omega-3 fatty acids: particularly EPA and DHA become incorporated into cell membranes and can influence their physical properties, including membrane fluidity and organisation.

Why test your fatty acids?

The Zinzino BalanceTest is a simple dried blood-spot test that measures 11 fatty acids in your blood. From these measurements it calculates several markers, including your Omega-6:3 balance, Omega-3 Index and an index of cell membrane fluidity. Results are generally available withinthree weeks. Rather than simply recommending that everyone take fish oil, I prefer to test first. This means we can see where your fatty-acid balance is starting from and decide whether ongoing supplementation is actually warranted.