Omega-3: Benefits, Deficiency and Why Testing Matters
Date:
10 November 2026
Time:
6:00pm
Going Beyond the Omega-3 Index for a More Complete Picture of Your Fatty Acid Status
Most people assume they get enough omega-3. Most people don’t.
Omega-3 fats are among the most researched nutrients for brain and heart health. EPA and DHA help build and maintain brain cells, support communication between neurons and play an important role in cognitive health throughout life.
Yet global research suggests that many people have omega-3 levels below the ranges associated with better health outcomes. Even those who eat a healthy diet or take omega-3 supplements may be surprised by what their blood test results reveal.
Part of the challenge is understanding the different types of omega-3. The plant-based omega-3 found in flaxseeds, chia seeds and walnuts (ALA) is not the same as EPA and DHA, which are found in oily fish and marine algae. Our bodies convert only a limited amount of ALA into EPA and DHA.
Official intake recommendations also vary between countries. And without testing, it can be difficult to know whether your current diet or supplements are providing enough.
The scientific story began in the 1970s, when Danish researchers Hans Olaf Bang and Jørn Dyerberg travelled to Greenland to investigate the relationship between traditional Inuit diets, marine fats and heart health. Their pioneering work helped spark decades of research into omega-3 fatty acids and eventually contributed to the development of the Omega-3 Index, a blood marker used to assess omega-3 status.
In this webinar, omega-3 specialist Lalen Dogan will guide you through the science, from understanding the different types of omega-3 and their health benefits to exploring the global omega-3 gap and discovering what blood testing can reveal about your own fatty acid status.
What You’ll Learn
1. Omega-3 101: Understanding the Basics
- What essential fatty acids are, including omega-3 and omega-6, and why dietary intake matters.
- The differences between ALA, EPA and DHA, including the body’s limited ability to convert ALA into EPA and DHA.
- How the pioneering research of Bang and Dyerberg helped shape our understanding of omega-3.
- What the Omega-3 Index measures and why it is important.
2. The Science: Why Omega-3 Matters
- An overview of the scientific evidence, including major meta-analyses and clinical studies.
- The role of omega-3 fatty acids in cardiovascular health.
- How EPA and DHA contribute to brain health and cognitive function.
3. Global Omega-3 Status: Are We Getting Enough?
- What global Omega-3 Index data reveals about EPA and DHA levels across populations.
- Current EPA and DHA intake recommendations from organisations such as EFSA and the Heart Foundation.
- Whether commonly recommended intake levels are sufficient to achieve an Omega-3 Index of 8% or higher.
4. Omega-3 Testing: The Enhanced DRIfT® Test
- Why measuring omega-3 status can be more informative than relying on dietary intake alone.
- Understanding the Omega-3 Index, omega-6 to omega-3 ratio and AA to EPA ratio.
- Real-world examples showing low initial Omega-3 Index results and elevated fatty acid ratios.
- Follow-up test results demonstrating how the Omega-3 Index and associated ratios can change over time.
Why Testing Matters
Omega-3 status can vary significantly from person to person, influenced by diet, genetics, age, gender, lifestyle and the type and dose of supplements taken.
Two people following the same dietary advice may have very different omega-3 levels.
That’s why measuring your omega-3 status matters.
During the webinar, Lalen will introduce the enhanced omega-3 profile within the Dementia Risk Index functional Test (DRIfT®).
This enhanced profile will report:
- Omega-3 Index: A measure of EPA and DHA in red blood cell membranes.
- Omega-6 to omega-3 ratio: An additional measure of the balance between these fatty acid groups.
- AA to EPA ratio: A comparison of arachidonic acid (AA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA).
Together, these markers provide a more complete picture of fatty acid status than the Omega-3 Index alone.
The results are not a diagnosis. They provide a snapshot of your current status, helping you make informed decisions and track changes over time.
At Food for the Brain, we take a systems-based approach to dementia prevention because brain health depends on multiple interconnected factors. No single nutrient works in isolation.
Omega-3 is one important part of that bigger picture, and one that can be measured and influenced through dietary and lifestyle choices.
Who This Webinar Is For
This session is for you if:
- You want to understand the science of omega-3 without the hype.
- You’re unsure whether your diet or supplements provide enough EPA and DHA.
- You follow a mostly plant-based diet and want to understand whether ALA is sufficient.
- You’ve completed a DRIfT® test, or are considering one, and want to understand your omega-3 results.
- You’re interested in practical, evidence-based ways to support brain and heart health.
No scientific background is needed. Just curiosity and a desire to understand your health better.
Event Details
Date: Tuesday 10 November 2026
Time: 6:00 PM UK time
Format: Live online webinar with Q&A
Recording: Available to all registrants
Cost: £25 or FREE for FRIENDS of Food for the Brain
Discover What Your Omega-3 Levels Could Be Telling You
Move beyond guessing whether you’re getting enough omega-3 and discover how testing can help you better understand your fatty acid status.
Get your ticket below:
Already a member? – log in here to register for FREE
About our Speaker:
Lalen Dogan has spent more than 20 years working in the omega-3 field, helping bring science-backed nutrition and testing to people across Asia-Pacific, Europe and the United States. He is Chief Commercial Officer at Masdiag, a research-led medical diagnostic laboratory, and Vice President of Fatty Acid Labs, which specialises in dried blood spot testing for fatty acids and other health biomarkers.
Previously, Lalen served as Vice President at OmegaQuant, one of the pioneers of Omega-3 Index testing, having also served on its board. His career has included senior roles at some of the world’s leading omega-3 producers, including DSM, Veramaris (a producer of EPA and DHA from marine algae) and Aker BioMarine. For eight years, he chaired the Omega-3 Centre, a not-for-profit organisation promoting awareness of the health benefits of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids in Australasia.
He is also a member of the GOED (Global Organization for EPA and DHA Omega-3s) Science Committee. Lalen brings a broad perspective on omega-3, from how it is sourced and produced to how it is regulated and what blood testing reveals about the people consuming it. He is passionate about helping people move from guessing to knowing when it comes to their omega-3 status.
Your Participation Supports Our Work
Every FRIEND membership and every webinar ticket purchased directly supports the research and charitable work of Food for the Brain.
Thank you for helping us advance our mission to improve brain health and support dementia prevention through nutrition, education and research.