The findings spotlight persistent nutritional imbalances that carry implications for chronic disease risk and present a call to action for omega-3 manufacturers and suppliers.
Global analysis highlights fatty acid status disparities
The analysis, published in Lipids in Health and Disease, looked at more than 590,000 whole blood samples from around the world. Researchers measured levels of EPA and DHA, along with the AA:EPA and omega-6:omega-3 ratios.
Results showed wide variation by geography and population group but a consistent trend: Omega-3 status is generally suboptimal, and fatty acid ratios are skewed.
“Suboptimal n-3 levels and imbalanced n-6:n-3 ratios [are] prevalent worldwide,” the researchers stated. These imbalances are tied to inflammation and a higher risk of chronic diseases, including heart disease, diabetes and certain cancers, they added.
Median n-6:n-3 ratios ranged from 6.2:1 to 8.8:1 across continents, which are well above the 1–5:1 range considered optimal. People who took omega-3 supplements had higher EPA and DHA levels, but the improvements were not always sufficient to correct regional dietary patterns that are high in omega-6 fats.
Participants in Asia, Oceania and Northern Europe showed the best profiles, while those in North America had the lowest average omega-3 levels.
“The distribution of n-3 levels underscores the significant impact of regional dietary habits,” the researchers wrote.
The authors also emphasized the value of DBS testing for large-scale surveillance.
“DBS allows for minimally invasive sample collection while providing data that correlates well with red blood cell (RBC) measures like the omega-3 index,” the study reported.
Industry insight: Addressing the intake gap through innovation and education
Kaitlin Roke, PhD, director of scientific communication and outreach at the Global Organization for EPA and DHA Omega-3s (GOED), said that the study echoes concerns already raised by previous GOED-sponsored research.
“This study highlights the globally low blood levels of omega-3s,” she told NutraIngredients. “This data is consistent with results from another global analysis commissioned by GOED last year.”
Dr. Roke added that the results reinforce the organization’s position that “people across the globe need to increase their intake of EPA and DHA omega-3s because of the important benefits to heart, brain, eyes and pregnancy/prenatal health.”
She noted that while there are various global guidelines for EPA and DHA intake, the standards are inconsistent, with “the lack of a DRI (dietary reference intake) in the United States and Canada” standing out as a major gap.
The study’s findings, she said, also present opportunities for innovation in product development. The supplement industry has expanded significantly, with formats ranging from capsules and liquids to gummies and purees, and sourcing options that include fish oil, krill oil and microalgal oil.
“There are now more EPA and DHA sources to choose from than ever before,” she said.
Still, access to products is only part of the equation.
“The challenge is in consumer education,” Dr. Roke said. “Making sure consumers are aware of the benefits and get into the habit of taking omega-3s on a regular basis.”
She also addressed regional differences in dietary patterns, particularly in North America, where high omega-6 intake from processed and fast foods contributes to poor omega-3 status.
“Consumers instead need to be educated to focus on increasing omega-3 intake since there tends to be very low to no EPA and DHA in our diet unless consumed directly from a seafood source or from a supplement,” she said.
On the topic of fatty acid testing, Dr. Roke said that the rise of at-home test kits offers an important tool for both consumers and researchers, but consistency is key.
“GOED would love to see large-scale testing become a standard of care in defining consumer needs and setting recommendations,” she said, adding that this could decrease consumer confusion by improving the consistency among the at-home-testing-kits.
Looking ahead, Dr. Roke emphasized that the focus should remain on closing the intake gap, particularly through a combination of food and supplement strategies.
The authors of the study concluded that while omega-3 supplements do support improved n-3 status, more meaningful shifts will likely require changes in broader dietary habits. The data, they wrote, “highlight opportunities for targeted dietary or public health interventions to address these imbalances and promote better health outcomes.”
Source: Lipids in Health and Disease, 24, 260 (2025). doi: 10.1186/s12944-025-02676-6. “Global variations in omega-3 fatty acid status and omega-6:omega-3 ratios: insights from > 500,000 whole-blood dried blood spot samples.” Authors: M. Torrissen, et al.
