- User-friendly dry blood self-test
- Measures 11 fatty acids in your blood
- Provides information about the Omega 6:3 balance
BalanceTest by Zinzino is a simple self-test for analyzing fatty acids in capillary blood, which is collected from a fingertip using the dried blood spot (DBS) method. It is scientifically proven that a DBS test is as accurate as a venous blood sample for analyzing fatty acids. All that is required is a few drops of blood from your fingertip onto a Whatman® filter paper – a process that takes less than a minute.
What we measure
The test measures 11 fatty acids, including saturated, monounsaturated (omega-9), and polyunsaturated (omega-6 and omega-3) fatty acids. Individual fatty acid values are presented in the table and expressed as a percentage of the total fatty acids measured. For comparison purposes, the average range for each fatty acid (based on data from a large group of balanced individuals) is presented as the target value. The following fatty acids are measured:
Palmitic acid, C16:0, saturated fatty acid
Stearic acid, C18:0, saturated fatty acid
Oleic acid, C18:1, Omega-9
Linolenic acid, C18:2, Omega-6
alpha-linolenic acid, C18:3, Omega-3
gamma-linolenic acid, C18:3, Omega-6
Dihomogamma-linolenic acid, C20:3, Omega-6
Arachidonic acid (AA), C20:4, Omega-6
Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), C20:5, Omega-3
Docosapentaenoic acid (DPA), C22:5, Omega-3
Docosahexenoic acid (DHA), C22:6, Omega-3
Certified test kit
The certified Zinzino dry blood test complies with the European In Vitro Diagnostics Directive (IVD) 98/79/EB. This means that the test and all its components comply with applicable laws and regulations, which is why the kit also bears the CE mark.
How your results are calculated
Eleven fatty acids are analyzed, and their sum is considered 100%. For the following six values, we use seven of the fatty acids. The analyzed proportion of each of the seven fatty acids is calculated as a percentage of 100%.
1. Omega-3 eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)
2. Omega-3 docosahexenoic acid (DHA)
3. Omega-3 docosapentaenoic acid (dpa)
4. Omega-6 arachidonic acid (aa)
5. Omega-6 dihomogammalinolenic acid (dgla)
6. Saturated fatty acid, palmitic acid (pa)
7. Saturated fatty acid, stearic acid (sa)
Protection value
First, the following 3 recognized health indicators are calculated:
1. The value for the omega-6 ratio is calculated as follows: (dgla+aa) * 100 / (dgla+aa+epa+dpa+dha)
2. The value for the omega-3 concentration is the sum of EPA+DHA
3. The balance value is calculated as omega-6 (AA) / omega-3 (EPA).
Each indicator value is given equal weight in a second calculation and assigned a value between 0 and 100, which is then divided by 3 to determine the protection value, which is ideally above 90. However, this does not indicate the person's health status; it merely indicates their fatty acid protection profile.
Note! EPA and DHA values have a significant impact on all calculations, and when EPA and DHA percentages are low, very low or even zero protection values are not uncommon.
Omega-3 index
The omega-3 index is the summary of the percentage values for the two marine omega-3
Fatty acids EPA and DHA. The ideal combined level is at least 8%, with higher values in the range of 10% being desirable.
Omega-3 fatty acids have many benefits because they are the main building blocks of our cells. EPA is found primarily in blood, muscles, and tissue, while DHA is found in the brain, sperm, and eyes.
Omega-6:3 balance
The balance is calculated by dividing the percentage of AA by the percentage of EPA (AA/EPA), which is then expressed as a balance value, for example, 3:1. The omega-6:3 balance in the body should preferably be below 3:1.
If the ratio is above 3:1, a change in your diet is helpful. A low balance of omega-6 and omega-3 is important for maintaining normal cell and tissue development (self-regulation of the organism, or homeostasis). It also helps the body keep inflammation under control.
Cell membrane fluidity
Fluidity is calculated by dividing the percentage of the two saturated fatty acids by the percentage of the two omega-3 fatty acids. The fluidity value is thus defined as (PA + SA) / (EPA + DHA), and the result is expressed as a fluidity index, for example, 3:1. If the fluidity value is below 4:1, this indicates that the cell membranes are sufficiently fluid.
The more saturated fats in a membrane, the stiffer it is. Conversely, the more polyunsaturated fats in a membrane, the more fluid it is. Cell membrane composition and structural architecture are crucial for cell health and thus for the body. On the one hand, the membrane must be rigid enough to ensure a stable structural cell architecture. On the other hand, the membrane must be fluid enough to allow nutrients in and waste products out.
Mental strength
This is calculated by dividing the percentage of AA by the sum of the percentages of EPA and DHA, i.e., the mental strength value = AA / (EPA + DHA). The result is expressed as a mental strength value, for example, 1:1. This value should be less than 1:1 for an adequate and balanced supply of polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-6 and omega-3) to the brain and nervous system. Cognitive performance improves with increased intake of the marine omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA. Childhood and old age are critical and vulnerable periods, and a deficiency in omega-3
is associated with learning and memory disorders as well as mood problems.
Arachidonic acid (aa) index
The AA index indicates the measured level of the omega-6 fatty acid arachidonic acid (AA) as a percentage of the total measured fatty acids. Good average values range from 6.5 to 9.5%. The optimal target value is 8.3%. Arachidonic acid (AA) is the most important omega-6 fatty acid for the body. It is the starting point for the production of local tissue hormones triggered by omega-6, such as prostaglandins, thromboxanes, and leukotrienes, all with different functions. However, their general function is to protect the body from damage by limiting the progression of infections or the effects of injury.
