Omega-3: the architect of your cellular health

Fats are not the problem – the wrong fats are. Each of your 70 trillion body cells is surrounded by a layer of fat. If omega-3 is missing there, the cell walls become rigid and inflammation cannot heal.

The result: Premature skin aging, cognitive decline and an increased cardiovascular risk. Calculate your individual requirement.

Dr. Ackermann · Omega-3 Calculator · Herzogenaurach Ω3

1 · Therapeutic focus

2 · Lab value known?

3 · Your data

Basis for the maintenance-dose calculation.
%
Target value: above 8 % (Harris & von Schacky 2004). No value? → select "Unknown".
Your omega-3 status —
Deficiency (below 4 %) Target (above 8 %) Optimal (above 11 %)
Phase 1 · 3 months
Boost dose
— mg EPA/DHA/day

Needed to fill the deficit within 3 months. A follow-up measurement is recommended afterwards.

Phase 2 · ongoing
Maintenance dose
— mg EPA/DHA/day

Your personal dose to permanently maintain the index you have reached.

A check every 6–12 months is recommended.

Have your index measured precisely – in Herzogenaurach

We do not rely on estimates. In our practice we determine your exact HS-Omega-3 Index through a leading specialist laboratory. Only on this data basis do we create your personal treatment plan.

Book an omega-3 diagnostic appointment → Dr. med. Thomas Ackermann · Specialist in Anesthesiology · Herzogenaurach
Medical notice & disclaimer This calculator serves for guidance information only and is not a medical device (EU MDR 2017/745). The results do not replace a medical diagnosis or individual consultation. If you take anticoagulants, have a bleeding tendency or chronic illnesses, medical consultation is required before starting supplementation. Doses above 3 g EPA/DHA/day require medical supervision. Health data is processed exclusively on the client side (GDPR-compliant). Dr. med. Thomas Ackermann accepts no liability for decisions made without medical consultation.

Omega-3: more than a heart-protection agent

EPA and DHA are essential – your body cannot produce them itself. The supply situation in Germany is inadequate for 90 % of the population.

Every cell membrane in your body consists partly of omega-3 fatty acids. If they are missing, membranes become more rigid, inflammatory signals are broken down less effectively, and cell function suffers:

  • 01.
    Heart & vessels: Meta-analyses show a reduction in cardiovascular events at an index above 8 %. REDUCE-IT study (Bhatt et al., NEJM 2019): high-dose EPA reduced cardiovascular events by 25 %.
  • 02.
    Skin appearance: DHA stabilizes the epidermal lipid barrier. EPA inhibits arachidonic-acid-mediated inflammatory cascades – measurable in acne, rosacea and premature aging.
  • 03.
    Brain & mood: The brain consists of 60 % lipids, with DHA making up the largest share. Associations between a low index and depression as well as cognitive decline are documented.
  • 04.
    Sport & recovery: Omega-3 modulates the resolution of inflammatory responses after exertion. Meta-analyses show a reduction in muscle soreness and an improvement in muscle protein synthesis.

At the practice of Dr. Ackermann we regard the HS-Omega-3 Index as a valid biomarker – not as a wellness metric.

The HS-Omega-3 Index explained

The index measures EPA+DHA as the percentage share of fatty acids in the erythrocyte membrane – a 3-month average, not a daily snapshot.

Critical
below 4 %
Significantly increased cardiovascular risk. Acute replenishment is medically sensible. Applies to about 30 % of the German population.
Grey zone
4–8 %
Below the therapeutic target range. No optimal protection for heart and brain. Applies to about 60 % of the population.
Target range
above 8 %
Cardioprotective range according to Harris & von Schacky (2004). Lowest rate of cardiovascular events in longitudinal studies.
Optimal
above 11 %
Typical in Japan/South Korea with traditionally high fish consumption. Hardly achievable in Germany without targeted supplementation.

Omega-6/omega-3 ratio: No less important than the absolute level. The Western diet typically provides a ratio of 15:1 to 20:1. Optimal would be 4:1 or better. A high omega-6 share competes with omega-3 for the same enzyme pathways and reduces the effective benefit.

The specialist diagnostics

We do not rely on estimates. In our practice we determine your exact HS-Omega-3 Index® and the omega-6/omega-3 ratio through a leading specialist laboratory.

Only on this valid data basis do we create your individual treatment plan – with a specific boost and maintenance dose.

Costs: A precise fatty-acid analysis at the specialist laboratory costs approximately on request (self-pay, GOÄ).

Oil vs. capsules – which is better?

To achieve a therapeutic effect (index above 8 %), you need approximately 2,000–3,000 mg EPA/DHA daily.

With standard drugstore capsules (300–500 mg EPA/DHA) you would need 5–10 capsules a day. High-quality oil delivers the same amount in one tablespoon.

Important: The nature-identical triglyceride form (TG) has up to 70 % better bioavailability than synthetic ethyl-ester concentrates (EE). Pay attention to the formulation. (Dyerberg et al., 2010)

What to look for when choosing

The omega-3 market is confusing. Most products on the drugstore shelf are underdosed for a therapeutic effect.

Quality criteria for EPA/DHA preparations

Natural triglyceride form (TG), not ethyl ester (EE) TG is bio-identical and is absorbed up to 70 % better than synthetic EE concentrates. Always check the packaging.
TOTOX value below 26 (freshness) TOTOX measures oxidation (rancidity). Fresh oils with a low TOTOX taste mild; rancid oil causes burping and can be counterproductive.
High EPA+DHA content per ml/capsule What is therapeutically relevant is EPA and DHA – not the total amount of "fish oil". Cheap fish oil often has only a 30 % EPA/DHA share; high-quality oils 50–70 %.
IFOS or similar third-party lab certification International Fish Oil Standards independently test EPA/DHA content, contaminants and oxidation. GMP production as a minimum standard.
Transparency note: Dr. Ackermann does not recommend specific manufacturers or brands on this website. Naming product recommendations by physicians is not permitted under professional regulations (§27 (3) MBO-Ä). The criteria above are product-neutral.
Exclusively in Herzogenaurach

Measure instead of guessing.

Do you have an index above 8 %? Statistically, 9 out of 10 people are well below it. A targeted treatment plan based on your personal lab value is the only method that really works.

  • ✓ HS-Omega-3 Index via specialist laboratory
  • ✓ Omega-6/omega-3 ratio included
  • ✓ Individual treatment plan based on findings
Fatty-acid analysis Specialist laboratory · self-pay
Billing according to GOÄ Book an appointment
Frequently asked questions

Maintenance dose: Calculated as ~25 mg EPA/DHA per kg body weight per day – consistent with clinical guidelines (1,500–2,000 mg/day for 70 kg).

Boost dose: Each additional 1 g EPA/DHA per day raises the HS-Omega-3 Index by about 1–2 % over 3 months. We use ~400 mg extra per 1 % of deficit. Formula: boost = maintenance + (deficit × 400 mg). (Stark et al., J Nutr 2016)

Limitations: Individual absorption, omega-6 consumption, genetics (FADS1/FADS2 polymorphisms) and dietary habits influence the actual response. A follow-up index after 3 months is indispensable.

  • Bleeding time: High doses (above 3 g/day) slightly prolong the bleeding time. With anticoagulants (Marcumar, ASA, NOACs), medical consultation is mandatory.
  • EFSA UL: 5 g/day EPA+DHA is classified as safe (EFSA 2012). Above this limit, medical supervision is recommended.
  • Rancid oil: Oxidized lipids can be pro-inflammatory. Pay attention to the TOTOX value and correct storage.
  • Atrial fibrillation: At very high doses (4 g/day as in REDUCE-IT) a slightly increased risk. For standard doses (below 2 g/day) no increased risk has been demonstrated.

Naming product recommendations by physicians on their practice website are prohibited under §27 (3) MBO-Ä of the professional code of conduct. The Cologne Regional Court confirmed in a ruling of 14 Nov 2024 (case no. 88 O 45/24) that even indirect advertising for supplement manufacturers on physicians' websites is not permitted.

Instead of brand recommendations, we give you the quality criteria by which you can recognize a high-quality product yourself: TG form, TOTOX value, EPA/DHA concentration and independent lab certification.

The diagnostics: A fatty-acid analysis at the specialist laboratory costs, as a self-pay service, approximately on request.

The therapy: High-quality omega-3 oil (TG form) costs, at a therapeutic dosage, approximately on request depending on the product.

DHA is a structural building block of skin lipids and influences the integrity of the epidermal barrier. EPA inhibits the lipoxygenase-mediated inflammatory cascade, which plays a central role in acne, rosacea and dry skin.

Clinical studies show: EPA+DHA reduce UV-induced skin redness and can improve skin hydration. A meta-analysis (Pilkington et al., 2020) found significant improvements in inflammatory acne.

For aesthetic results an index above 8 % is more useful than a single dose – the membrane saturation built up over weeks is what matters.

All information mentioned on this page serves general orientation. This calculator is not a medical device under EU MDR 2017/745. Health data is processed exclusively on the client side. For high doses or existing illnesses, medical consultation is required. · Practice of Dr. med. Thomas Ackermann · Niederndorfer Hauptstraße 41 · 91074 Herzogenaurach · thomas-ackermann.com