For years, Lorraine had been on a health journey. Like many, she followed her doctor’s advice, trusted health influencers, and tried every clean-eating trend that promised weight loss, energy, and better health. She was diligent—reading labels, counting steps, drinking green juices, and taking the supplements that seemed to be in vogue.
But something wasn’t clicking.
She still struggled with inflammation. Her energy was inconsistent. Her weight loss had plateaued. And despite her efforts, her blood pressure had crept up, her joints ached more than they used to, and her sleep was often restless. At one point, she even said, “I feel like I’m doing everything right, but my body isn’t responding.”
Then she heard me mention something that no one else had ever brought up: the omega-6 to omega-3 ratio.
That moment changed her life.
The Missing Piece
When Lorraine and I reviewed her test results, it was clear—her omega-6 to omega-3 ratio was 17:1. That’s dangerously high.
For context, science shows that our ancestors evolved on a diet with a ratio closer to 1:1. Even in the 1960s, Americans averaged around 3:1. But with today’s processed foods, seed oils, and factory-farmed meats, many people are unknowingly walking around with ratios well over 15:1—and with that comes increased risk of inflammation, insulin resistance, and chronic disease.
Omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids are both classified as essential fatty acids. This means our bodies cannot produce them on their own—we must obtain them through our diet. While both are necessary for health, their balance is crucial. An abundance of omega-6s promotes inflammation (which we need for healing), while omega-3s resolve inflammation. When one outweighs the other, the body’s natural healing system goes out of sync.
And that’s exactly what was happening with Lorraine.
What’s a Healthy Ratio?
Most experts agree that a healthy omega-6 to omega-3 ratio falls between 3:1 and 1:1. Sadly, the average person in the U.S. has a ratio over 15:1, which puts the body in a constant state of low-grade inflammation—fueling insulin resistance, pain, and disease.
The Science Backs It Up
A groundbreaking 2024 population-based study from the UK Biobank, published in eLife, showed that people with a high omega-6 to omega-3 ratio had a significantly greater risk of dying from any cause—especially cancer and cardiovascular disease. Researchers analyzed the plasma fatty acid profiles of over 85,000 participants and found that those in the highest ratio group had:
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- 26% higher risk of all-cause mortality
- 14% higher risk of cancer mortality
- 31% higher risk of cardiovascular mortality
Interestingly, the researchers also found that both omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids were beneficial when evaluated independently. But the imbalance—the ratio itself—was the strongest predictor of mortality risk. It was only when the omega-3 levels were high enough to counterbalance omega-6 that the benefits truly came alive.
Lorraine’s Turning Point
When Lorraine saw her results, she was shocked—and then furious.
“I’ve worked with health coaches, personal trainers, functional doctors, and not one person ever mentioned omega-6 to omega-3 ratios,” she said. “They talk about inflammation but never the root cause. Why is no one talking about this?”
Her frustration was valid. Most standard labs don’t check omega fatty acid profiles. And while influencers hype up the latest detox powders or gut health hacks, they rarely mention the cellular impact of essential fats or how the integrity of our cell membranes—our body’s command center for energy, nutrient absorption, and hormone signaling—is largely dependent on those fatty acid ratios.
I introduced Lorraine to a test-based nutrition approach, starting with a dried blood spot test (also known as the BalanceTest) that measures her omega-6 to omega-3 ratio, omega-3 index, fluidity of her red blood cell membranes, and arachidonic acid levels. We incorporated a scientifically validated supplement—BalanceOil+, which combines omega-3s from wild fish and polyphenols from unripe olives. These polyphenols protect the omega-3s from oxidation, enhance absorption, and improve delivery to the cell membrane—where they do the real work.
A Real Transformation
In just 120 days, Lorraine’s ratio dropped from 17:1 to 4.2:1. Her omega-3 index increased. Her inflammation markers fell, and her cell membrane was no longer insufficient (rigid) but balanced—fluid and healthy. She reported:
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- Better sleep
- Clearer skin
- Improved mood
- Less joint pain
- A renewed sense of vitality
And perhaps most telling—her doctor was shocked when her blood pressure normalized without medication.
Why This Matters
The omega-6 to omega-3 ratio is more than a number. It’s a window into the health of your cells—and your future. From insulin resistance to depression, from heart disease to cognitive decline, this ratio plays a silent but powerful role. And yet, most people (including healthcare professionals) are unaware or ignore it entirely.
In fact, recent studies suggest that more than 90% of Americans have an omega-6 to omega-3 ratio that puts them at risk for chronic disease—and most have no idea.
Lorraine now shares her story with others. She’s not just healthier—she’s empowered.
“This isn’t about fish oil,” she told me. “This is about truth. I just wish I had known sooner.”
Final Thoughts
Lorraine’s story is not unique. There are millions of people doing their best, following conventional advice, but missing a foundational truth about how the body works.
If you’re ready to stop guessing and start testing, I invite you to learn more about Test-Based Nutrition. Discover your omega-6 to omega-3 ratio. Understand your cellular health. And take the first step toward real, lasting transformation.
Email me at Robert@DietFreeLife.com if you’re ready to find out what your ratio is—and how to bring it into balance.
References
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- Zheng, J., Huang, T., Heianza, Y., et al. (2024). Higher ratio of plasma omega-6/omega-3 fatty acids is associated with greater risk of all-cause, cancer, and cardiovascular mortality: A population-based cohort study in UK Biobank. eLife. https://elifesciences.org/articles/90132
- Simopoulos, A. P. (2002). The importance of the ratio of omega-6/omega-3 essential fatty acids. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 56(8), 365–379.
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Robert Ferguson is a California- and Florida-based single father of two daughters, nutritionist, researcher, best-selling author, speaker, podcast and television host, health advisor, NAACP Image Award Nominee, creator of the Diet Free Life methodology, and Chief Nutrition Officer for iCoura Health. He also serves on the Presidential Task Force on Obesity for the National Medical Association and the Health and Product Advisory Board for Zinzino, Inc.
You can reach Robert via email at robert@dietfreelife.com.
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