KANSAS CITY, Mo., Feb. 24, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- OmegaMetrix announces the availability of trans fat testing and complete fatty acid profiles as additional blood testing options to its OMX-3, the Omega-3 Index, test. The addition of these tests provides people with a way to assess their risk for heart disease by monitoring trans fat and other fatty acids that impact LDL (bad cholesterol) levels and HDL (good cholesterol) levels.
"Consumers are being bombarded with news reports about the dangers of consuming too many trans fatty acids," said William S. Harris, Ph.D., founder of OMX and inventor of the OMX-3 test. "Up until now, it has been virtually impossible to actually know what your blood trans fat levels were. With this new blood test, you can discover how you compare with 'typical Americans,' and you can track your progress in reducing your personal levels of trans fats. We are very excited about our expanded capabilities to provide the highest quality and most useful fatty acid testing available to both consumers and clinicians."
The new trans fatty acids test measures blood levels of the harmful elaidic, palmitelaidic, and linoelaidic acids. Trans fats are formed when manufacturers turn liquid oils into solid fats. Because the American diet has been overloaded with trans fats found in processed foods, particularly bakery products and fried fast food, the FDA recently began requiring all food manufacturers to list trans fat levels on their labels. With the new trans fat test, individuals can compare their values to the average American so they can better modify their diet and monitor their progress at reducing their trans fat intake.
The new testing options are being added to the flagship OMX-3 test, a patent-pending blood test that measures the levels of heart-healthy EPA and DHA omega-3 oils. Results provide the knowledge one needs to help reduce the relative risk of sudden cardiac death by as much as 90 percent.
OMX-3 was developed from research done at the Saint Luke's Mid America Heart Institute in Kansas City. It is useful to both individuals wanting to know how to reduce their risk for heart disease and to health care providers as they seek to provide the best preventive care for their patients.
"While everyone should try to limit their consumption of trans fats and saturated fats, it is most important for individuals who have been told by physicians that they have elevated LDL cholesterol, a risk factor for coronary artery disease," said Ben McCallister, M.D., director of cardiovascular research at Saint Luke's Mid America Heart Institute and chairman of the OmegaMetrix management committee."
OMX is also offering a complete fatty acid profile measuring omega-6, saturated, and monounsaturated fatty acids along with omega-3's and trans fats. The primary omega-6 fatty acids include linoleic and arachidonic acids found in vegetable oils and animal tissue, respectively. Most people, particularly in the United States, get far more omega-6 than their bodies need. The fatty acid profile reports the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 and the ratio of arachidonic acid to EPA (a vital omega-3 acid). These key indicators are commonly recommended for monitoring by dietary researchers.
About OmegaMetrix
OMX was founded in 2003 to make the OMX-3 test commercially available. Since August 2005, the OMX-3 test has been performed at Clinical Reference Laboratory (CRL). CRL offers leading-edge diagnostic testing services in the areas of toxicology, corporate wellness, insurance, clinical trials, and genomics. With over 450 employees, CRL processes over 10,000 tests each day ranging from routine laboratory services to the latest in molecular diagnostics.
"We believe that the OMX-3 will one day be as widely accepted as cholesterol or triglyceride testing for predicting cardiovascular risk," said McCallister. "The new tests provide clinicians with yet another tool to better advise patients on the dietary practices that are specific to their needs."
OmegaMetrix is owned, in part, by Saint Luke's Hospital of Kansas City and the Saint Luke's Hospital Foundation. A portion of all proceeds is used to benefit medical education and research.