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Let me be clear from the start.
I am not encouraging anyone to smoke.
uickly take action and get your BalanceTest and BalanceOil+ so you can know your omega-3 levels (measurement), begin improving, and get a free retest after four months so you can see that you have improved, contact the person who shared this article, or click on the following link (recommend the orange lemon mint flavor): https://www.zinzino.com/shop/2015067525/US/en-us/products/premier-kits/910465
Let me be clear from the start.
I am not encouraging anyone to smoke.
Smoking remains one of the leading causes of preventable disease and death worldwide. If you smoke, quitting is one of the best things you can do for your health.
But if you’re going to smoke, there is something every smoker should know.
It has nothing to do with nicotine patches, vaping, or smoking cessation programs.
It has to do with your omega-3 levels.
And before you continue reading, I want to be very clear about something.
I am not suggesting that smokers simply take a fish oil supplement.
I am not suggesting that all omega-3 supplements are the same.
And I am certainly not suggesting that taking omega-3s makes smoking safe.
That is not what this article is about.
This article is about something much bigger.
It is about the amount of omega-3 fatty acids that are actually present in your cell membranes.
You see, there is a major difference between taking an omega-3 supplement and having healthy omega-3 levels in your body.
One is a behavior.
The other is a measurable result.
The research discussed in this article is based on measured omega-3 levels in the blood, not on how much fish people ate or how many supplements they took.
That distinction matters.
Because what ultimately influences health is not what you swallow.
It is what becomes incorporated into your cells.
Throughout this article, when I refer to omega-3s, I am referring to measured levels of omega-3 fatty acids in the body, particularly within cell membranes, where they play an important role in cellular health, communication, and inflammation balance.
That is why I believe testing is so important.
The goal is not to take omega-3s.
The goal is to achieve healthy omega-3 levels.
Why Do Some Smokers Live into Their 90s?
Have you ever wondered why some people smoke every day and still live into their 90s or even beyond 100 years old, while others suffer a stroke, heart attack, lung disease, or cancer much earlier in life?
There is no single answer.
However, scientists are learning that one factor may play a larger role than many people realize: omega-3 fatty acid status.
Not how much fish a person eats.
Not how many omega-3 capsules they take.
Their actual omega-3 levels.
Why This Research Excites Me
My interest in omega-3 fatty acids did not begin with a scientific paper.
It began with a question.
When I was a United States Marine stationed in Okinawa, Japan, I noticed something that never left me.
I saw many people in their 90s and even over 100 years old who appeared youthful, active, and surprisingly healthy.
What shocked me even more was that some of them smoked cigarettes every day.
At the time, it did not make sense.
Everything I had been taught suggested that smoking should dramatically shorten life.
Yet there they were.
Living examples that there had to be more to the story.
Years later, after studying nutrition, inflammation, and fatty acids, I began to understand something important.
Historically, many Okinawans consumed far more omega-3 fatty acids than the average American or Canadian.
Today, many Americans and Canadians have an Omega-3 Index below 4%, a level many omega-3 researchers consider insufficient. In contrast, populations that consume large amounts of fish and seafood have historically demonstrated substantially higher omega-3 levels, often reaching the range researchers associate with optimal health, approximately 8% to 12% (5).
Was smoking healthy?
Of course not.
But it became increasingly clear to me that the condition of a person’s cell membranes may play a much larger role in health and longevity than most people realize.
That realization changed the way I look at health.
It reinforced something I have come to believe after decades of working with clients:
Adequate levels of omega-3 fatty acids in our cell membranes are important for virtually every aspect of health.
The Study That Got My Attention
A group of researchers combined data from 17 studies involving more than 40,000 people from around the world (1).
The researchers measured the amount of omega-3 fatty acids in participants’ blood and then followed them over time.
The results were remarkable.
People with the highest omega-3 levels had a significantly lower risk of death from all causes compared to people with the lowest omega-3 levels (1).
This measurement is commonly called the Omega-3 Index.
The Omega-3 Index measures the percentage of two important omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), found in red blood cell membranes.
As I mentioned earlier, many experts believe an Omega-3 Index between 8% and 12% represents a healthy target range.
Meet the Scientists Behind the Omega-3 Index
The Omega-3 Index was developed by two internationally recognized omega-3 researchers, Dr. William S. “Bill” Harris and Dr. Clemens von Schacky.
Dr. Harris is an American researcher, professor, and one of the world’s leading experts on omega-3 fatty acids and cardiovascular health. He has authored hundreds of scientific papers and spent decades studying how omega-3 levels affect inflammation, heart disease, stroke risk, and longevity.
Dr. von Schacky is a German cardiologist, researcher, and professor who has devoted much of his career to studying the relationship between omega-3 fatty acids, heart health, and disease prevention. He is widely recognized as one of the pioneers of Omega-3 Index research.
In 2004, Dr. Harris and Dr. von Schacky introduced the Omega-3 Index, a measure of the percentage of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in red blood cell membranes (10).
Their goal was simple:
To create a reliable way to measure omega-3 status and better understand its relationship to health and longevity.
Today, the Omega-3 Index is one of the most widely recognized biomarkers for evaluating long-term omega-3 status.
What Dr. Rhonda Patrick Highlighted
Dr. Rhonda Patrick is a biomedical scientist, health educator, and founder of FoundMyFitness. She is widely known for translating complex scientific research into practical health information people can understand and apply.
Her work focuses on nutrition, aging, inflammation, disease prevention, and longevity.
Over the years, Dr. Patrick has repeatedly highlighted findings from the large meta-analysis involving more than 40,000 people and 17 separate studies that examined blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids and their relationship to longevity (1).
One finding in particular caught her attention.
The study revealed that non-smokers with low omega-3 levels had approximately the same life expectancy as smokers with optimal omega-3 levels (2).
Think about that for a moment.
People who did not smoke but had low omega-3 levels had similar longevity outcomes to people who smoked but maintained healthy omega-3 levels.
To be clear, this does not mean smoking is safe.
It is not.
And it certainly does not mean omega-3s cancel out the harmful effects of smoking.
They do not.
What this finding does suggest is that omega-3 status may be one of the most important and overlooked factors influencing long-term health and longevity.
It also helps explain why Dr. Patrick has discussed this research on numerous podcasts and interviews.
The finding challenges the way many people think about health risk.
The researchers were not measuring how much fish people ate.
They were not measuring how many omega-3 supplements people took.
They were measuring actual omega-3 levels in the blood.
For me, this reinforces one of the most important lessons in nutrition:
The goal is not to take omega-3s.
The goal is to achieve healthy omega-3 levels.
What Is a Meta-Analysis?
A meta-analysis is a study that combines multiple studies into a single larger study.
Think of it like putting together pieces of a puzzle.
Instead of studying a few hundred people, researchers can study tens of thousands of people at the same time.
Because of this, meta-analyses are often considered among the strongest forms of scientific evidence available.
What Smoking Does to the Body
Every cigarette creates oxidative stress.
Think of oxidative stress as tiny sparks that can damage cells.
Over time, that damage can affect blood vessels, organs, and tissues throughout the body.
Smoking also increases inflammation.
Inflammation is linked to heart disease, stroke, chronic lung disease, and many other health problems.
Why Omega-3s Matter
Omega-3 fatty acids become part of the membrane that surrounds every cell in your body.
You can think of the cell membrane as the skin of a grape.
When the membrane becomes stiff and unhealthy, the cell cannot function as efficiently.
Omega-3s help support cell membrane fluidity, healthy communication between cells, and normal inflammatory balance (3).
This is one reason I believe cell membrane health is one of the most overlooked aspects of modern health care.
The Missing Piece: Knowing Your Numbers
One of the biggest lessons from Dr. Harris’s research is that what matters most is not what you think you’re doing.
What matters is what your body is actually showing.
The researchers did not ask people how much fish they ate.
They did not ask how many omega-3 supplements they took.
They measured the fatty acids in their blood.
That is a very important difference.
For many years, one challenge remained.
How do you know whether your omega-3 levels are healthy?
Most people guess.
Some take supplements.
Others eat fish.
But very few know their actual numbers.
Today, there is a simple at-home test called the BalanceTest that allows people to measure many of the same fatty acid markers that researchers study.
The BalanceTest is processed by Vitas Analytical Services, an independent laboratory in Norway that specializes in advanced fatty acid analysis and biomarker testing.
The BalanceTest does much more than provide your Omega-3 Index.
It also measures:
- Your omega-6 to omega-3 ratio
- Your arachidonic acid (AA) percentage
- Your arachidonic acid to eicosapentaenoic acid ratio (AA/EPA Ratio)
- Cell membrane fluidity markers
- Mental Strength, a marker influenced largely by DHA levels
- Eleven fatty acid measurements that provide insight into the composition of your cell membranes
The test requires only a few drops of blood from a simple finger prick that can be performed at home.
What excites me most is that people can measure where they are today, take action, and then retest approximately 120 days later to see whether meaningful changes have occurred.
To me, that is a game-changer.
The proof is in the blood work.
The proof is in the cell membranes.
Another Reason I Pay Attention to Omega-3s
There are multiple reasons I pay attention to my omega-3 levels.
And yes, one of those reasons has to do with my occasional food splurges.
From time to time, I enjoy foods like a burger and French fries, fried perch, or fried catfish. When I know I’m going to indulge, I often take my BalanceOil+ at that time, or even before the meal.
Why?
Keep reading.
Research suggests that when people eat meals high in unhealthy fats, refined carbohydrates, and low in dietary fiber, inflammatory compounds called lipopolysaccharides (LPS) can enter the bloodstream (6).
Think of LPS as tiny troublemakers that can increase inflammation throughout the body.
Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to help reduce some of the inflammatory effects associated with these compounds and may help support a healthier gut barrier (7).
Now, let me be clear.
This does not mean omega-3s make unhealthy food healthy.
They do not.
And it certainly does not mean that taking BalanceOil+ cancels out a poor meal choice.
It doesn’t.
However, it is one more reason I believe omega-3 fatty acids and polyphenols play an important role in supporting cellular health and helping the body manage inflammation.
So, when I occasionally enjoy a less-than-perfect meal, I make sure I also support my body with the nutrients I know are important.
Not because they erase the meal.
But because I understand the importance of maintaining healthy omega-3 levels and supporting my body’s natural ability to respond to inflammatory stress.
Why I Believe Testing Matters
Most people know their weight.
Many know their cholesterol.
Some know their blood pressure.
Very few know their Omega-3 Index, omega-6-to-omega-3 ratio, AA percentage, or AA/EPA Ratio.
Yet these measurements provide valuable information about the fatty acids that make up the membranes of every cell in the body.
You cannot manage what you do not measure.
That is why I believe testing should come before supplementation.
Measure first.
Then make decisions based on your results.
Final Thoughts
If you smoke, quitting should remain the goal.
But whether you quit today, next year, or never, one lesson from the science is clear:
Your omega-3 status matters.
The research suggests that healthy omega-3 levels are associated with better long-term health and longevity.
And while omega-3s do not eliminate the risks of smoking, knowing your Omega-3 Index, omega-6-to-omega-3 ratio, AA percentage, and other fatty acid markers may provide valuable insights into your health.
The first step is not guessing.
The first step is testing.
Ready to Stop Guessing?
If there is one message I hope you take away from this article, it is this:
The condition of your cell membranes matters.
The research by Dr. Bill Harris, Dr. Rhonda Patrick, and many other scientists continues to point to the importance of omega-3 status for long-term health and longevity.
The question is not whether omega-3s are important.
The question is whether your levels are where they should be.
That is why I recommend the BalanceTest, a simple at-home blood spot test that measures your:
- Omega-3 Index
- Omega-6 to omega-3 ratio
- Arachidonic acid (AA) percentage
- AA/EPA Ratio
- Cell membrane fluidity markers
- Mental Strength score
- Additional fatty acid markers related to cellular health
The test is processed by Vitas Analytical Services, an independent laboratory in Norway that specializes in fatty acid and biomarker testing.
The good news is that you do not need to travel to Norway or visit a laboratory.
The BalanceTest is completed from the comfort and privacy of your own home using a simple finger-prick blood sample.
When I work with clients, I have the test kit mailed directly to them. The kit includes everything needed to collect the sample, along with a return envelope for mailing the test to the laboratory.
After collecting a few drops of blood, you simply place the sample in the mail.
Most people receive access to their results within approximately 10 to 20 business days.
Another feature many people appreciate is the privacy.
Each test is assigned a unique identification code. Only the person taking the test has access to that code, which is used to securely view the results online.
In other words, your results are connected to your unique code, not your name.
Once you know your numbers, you can take action and then retest approximately 120 days later to measure your progress.
For those looking to improve their omega-3 status, my preferred supplement is BalanceOil+ in the Orange Lemon Mint flavor.
What makes BalanceOil+ unique is that it combines omega-3 fatty acids with polyphenols from olives. These polyphenols help protect the omega-3s from oxidation and support their stability and effectiveness.
Most importantly, don’t guess.
Test.
Measure.
Retest.
The proof is in the blood work.
The proof is in the cell membranes.
If you would like to learn more about the BalanceTest or BalanceOil+, please contact the person who shared this article with you.
If you have questions or would like additional information, you may also email me directly at:
I would be happy to help.
References
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- Harris, W. S., Tintle, N. L., Etherton, M. R., & Vasan, R. S. (2021). Blood n-3 fatty acid levels and total and cause-specific mortality from 17 prospective studies. Nature Communications, 12(1), 2329. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-22370-2
- Patrick, R. (Host), & Harris, W. S. (Guest). (2021). Omega-3 index, smoking, and longevity [Podcast episode]. FoundMyFitness.
- Calder, P. C. (2020). Omega-3 fatty acids and inflammatory processes: From molecules to man. Nutrients, 12(10), 3096. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12103096
- Harris, W. S., Del Gobbo, L. C., & Tintle, N. L. (2017). The Omega-3 Index and relative risk for coronary heart disease mortality. Atherosclerosis, 262, 51-54.
- von Schacky, C. (2014). Omega-3 Index and cardiovascular health. Nutrients, 6(2), 799-814. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu6020799
- Ghanim, H., Abuaysheh, S., Sia, C. L., Korzeniewski, K., Chaudhuri, A., Fernandez-Real, J. M., & Dandona, P. (2009). Increase in plasma endotoxin concentrations and the expression of Toll-like receptors after a high-fat, high-carbohydrate meal. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 90(6), 1589-1594. https://doi.org/10.3945/ajcn.2009.28212
- Calder, P. C. (2017). Omega-3 fatty acids and inflammatory processes: Effects, mechanisms and clinical relevance. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) – Molecular and Cell Biology of Lipids, 1851(4), 469-484. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbalip.2016.01.006
- Vitas Analytical Services. (n.d.). Fatty acid and biomarker analysis services. Oslo, Norway: Vitas Analytical Services.
- Zinzino. (n.d.). BalanceTest scientific methodology and fatty acid analysis. Scientific Resources.
- Harris, W. S., & von Schacky, C. (2004). The Omega-3 Index: A new risk factor for death from coronary heart disease?
__________
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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