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Most people think inflammation is something you feel.

Pain.
Stiff joints.
Swelling.
Fatigue.

But inflammation does not usually begin with symptoms. It starts quietly, at the cellular level, long before anything feels wrong.

That is why understanding your inflammation score matters, even if you exercise regularly, eat well, and consider yourself healthy.

Inflammation is not about how you look on the outside.
It is about the internal environment in which your cells live.

A Real Experience That Sparked This Conversation

Recently, someone I respect, a person who has branded themselves as fit and healthy for years, decided to take the BalanceTest, a blood-based assessment of fatty acids and inflammation.

When the results came back, the message I received was:

“I’m exposed and have no protection. Everything else is fine.”

If you understand the BalanceTest, that wording almost always points to the Protection Value, which reflects antioxidant and polyphenol protection. When this value is extremely low or at zero, it indicates little to no protection against oxidative stress.

That result does not mean someone is unhealthy.
It does not mean they failed.
It does not invalidate their fitness, discipline, or experience.

But it also does not mean everything is fine.

Out of respect, I will not speculate about her intentions or feelings. I can say that, for now, she has chosen not to meet to review the results together. That hesitation is not uncommon when test results challenge long-held beliefs about health.

What matters most is what those results indicate.

A very low or zero Protection Value means the internal environment lacks adequate protection against oxidative stress and inflammation. Fatty acids become more vulnerable to damage. Cell membranes are more likely to lose fluidity and become rigid. Inflammatory signaling can remain active longer than it should.

This is not a reflection of effort, discipline, or fitness.

This is not a fitness issue.
It is a cellular environment issue.

Why This Happens to So Many “Healthy” People

This is not an isolated situation.

I see this pattern repeatedly among people who:

• • Train consistently
  • Maintain low body fat
  • Eat what most would consider a healthy diet
  • Work in fitness, nutrition, or wellness
  • Appear healthy by conventional standards

They take the BalanceTest and discover that, internally, they are out of balance.

What often follows is hesitation or silence.

Not because they do not care.
Not because they are irresponsible.
But because the results challenge an identity.

Avoiding the information does not protect health.
It delays understanding.

What the BalanceTest Measures (Quick Explainer)

The BalanceTest is a blood-based assessment that evaluates fatty acid balance and the body’s inflammatory environment at the cellular level.

It measures:

• • Omega-6 to Omega-3 Ratio
    A foundational marker of inflammatory balance. Modern diets tend to push this ratio far outside optimal ranges.
  • Omega-3 Index
    Reflects how much of the omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are incorporated into red blood cell membranes, not simply how much fish or fish oil someone consumes.
  • Arachidonic Acid (AA) to Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) Ratio
    Indicates the balance between pro-inflammatory signaling and anti-inflammatory resolution.
  • Dihomo-gamma-linolenic Acid (DGLA) to Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) Ratio
    Provides insight into the body’s ability to regulate and resolve inflammation. This ratio helps indicate whether omega-6 metabolism is biased toward pro-inflammatory pathways or balanced in a manner that supports inflammatory control.
  • Protection Value
    Reflects how well fatty acids are protected from oxidative damage. This is strongly influenced by antioxidant and polyphenol status. A low or zero Protection Value means fats are exposed and vulnerable, even if other markers appear acceptable.

Together, these markers create a clearer picture of inflammation, fatty acid stability, and cellular resilience long before symptoms appear.

A Deeper Look at Inflammatory Balance: AA to EPA and DGLA to EPA

Most discussions around inflammation focus on the Arachidonic Acid (AA) to Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) ratio, and for good reason.

Arachidonic acid is associated with pro-inflammatory signaling.
Eicosapentaenoic acid supports anti-inflammatory resolution.

The AA-to-EPA ratio indicates how strongly inflammatory signals may compete with the body’s ability to counter them.

However, this ratio alone does not tell the entire story.

The Dihomo-gamma-linolenic Acid (DGLA) to Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) ratio adds important context.

DGLA is an omega-6 fatty acid that behaves differently from arachidonic acid. When properly balanced, DGLA can support anti-inflammatory pathways and act as a buffer against excessive AA-driven inflammation.

Together, these two ratios help clarify:

• Whether the body can resolve inflammation, not just produce it
• Whether omega-6 metabolism is being pushed toward arachidonic acid dominance or balanced through DGLA
• Why do some people appear borderline on standard markers yet struggle with recovery, stiffness, or metabolic issues

In simple terms:

• • The AA to EPA ratio reflects how loud inflammatory signaling may be
  • The DGLA to EPA ratio reflects how effectively the body can quiet that signaling

[Learn more about both the test and oil]

What This Test Confirms About Omega-3s and Supplements

One of the most overlooked benefits of the BalanceTest is that it removes guesswork.

Is my omega-3 or fish oil supplement working?

Many people take omega-3 supplements for years without knowing whether:

• • The dose is sufficient
  • The product is absorbed
  • Eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid are reaching cell membranes
  • The omega-6 to omega-3 ratio is improving

The BalanceTest confirms this directly.

Do I even need an omega-3 supplement?

Some people believe diet alone is enough.

Testing shows whether:

• • Omega-3 intake is adequate
  • Omega-6 intake is overwhelming the system
  • Supplementation would be beneficial

Is BalanceOil+ continuing to work overtime?

Health is dynamic. Stress, aging, and lifestyle all change needs.

Repeat BalanceTests allow confirmation of:

• • Improvements in omega balance
  • Changes in Protection Value
  • Ongoing effectiveness of BalanceOil+

Why the Lab Processing the Test Matters

The BalanceTest is analyzed by Vitas, a global leader in fatty acid analysis and biomarker testing.

Vitas provides laboratory services to leading research and medical institutions, including:

• • Harvard University
  • Mayo Clinic
  • Cleveland Clinic
  • National Institutes of Health

This ensures results are clinically validated and processed using gold-standard laboratory methods.

Why Pride and Embarrassment Can Get in the Way

One of the greatest barriers to better health is not lack of effort.

It is pride.

Testing does not expose weakness.
Avoiding testing does.

Why Everyone Should Want to Know Their Inflammation Score

Inflammation is far easier to address before it becomes chronic pain, insulin resistance, cardiovascular disease, autoimmune conditions, or accelerated aging.

Testing allows early targeted action.

The Real Purpose of Testing

The purpose of testing is not validation.

It is clarity.

Being out of balance does not make you wrong.
It makes you informed.

Ready to Learn Your Inflammation Score?

If this article was shared with you by someone you trust, start there.

You can also reach out directly.

📩 Email: robert@dietfreelife.com
📞 Free Consultation: Click to schedule a free consultation to learn more about the BalanceTest, your inflammation score, whether omega-3 supplementation is appropriate for you, and how to confirm the ongoing effectiveness of BalanceOil+.

References

1. 1. Simopoulos, A. P. (2002). The importance of the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 essential fatty acids. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 56(8), 365–379.
   2. Stark, K. D., et al. (2016). Global survey of omega-3 fatty acids in blood levels of healthy adults. Progress in Lipid Research, 63, 132–152.
   3. Harris, W. S., et al. (2009). Omega-3 fatty acids and cardiovascular disease risk. Current Atherosclerosis Reports, 11(6), 452–459.
   4. Calder, P. C. (2015). Marine omega-3 fatty acids and inflammatory processes. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta, 1851(4), 469–484.
   5. Sergeant, S., Rahbar, E., Chilton, F. H. (2016). Gamma-linolenic acid, dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid, and arachidonic acid metabolism and inflammation. Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, 42, 1–13.
   6. Innes, J. K., Calder, P. C. (2018). Omega-6 fatty acids and inflammation. Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids, 132, 41–48.
   7. Vitas Analytical Services. Fatty acid analysis methods and applications in clinical and population research.

________

Robert Ferguson is a California- and Florida-based single father of two daughters, clinical nutritionist, Omega Balancing Coach™, 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.

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