The Great Imbalance: Our Modern Inflammatory Problem

By Dr. Vix Manning

Have you ever felt like you’re doing everything right—eating well, exercising, even taking your supplements—but still struggle with nagging joint pain, brain fog, or a general sense of fatigue you just can’t shake? I’ve been there. As a doctor, I thought I had my health dialled in. I ate a healthy diet, took a daily fish oil supplement, and considered myself well-informed.

So, you can imagine my shock when I tested my own omega-6 to omega-3 ratio and the result came back at a staggering 17:1.

That’s not just slightly out of balance; it’s a full-blown inflammatory disaster zone. And I’m not an outlier. A staggering 97% of the population shows a similar inflammatory imbalance, often without even knowing it. This discovery was both humbling and liberating. It showed me that even with the best intentions, our modern lifestyles are quietly fanning the flames of chronic inflammation. But it also revealed a powerful, measurable way to fight back.

Think of your body’s internal environment as a finely tuned ecosystem. For optimal cellular health and minimal inflammation, the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids should be around 3:1. For centuries, our ancestors naturally maintained this balance through a diet of wild game, fish, and foraged foods.

Fast forward to today. Our food system has been radically transformed. The introduction of industrial seed oils (like sunflower, corn, and soybean oil), the prevalence of processed foods, and even the way our meat is farmed has sent our omega-6 intake soaring. The result? The average person today has an omega ratio closer to 15:1, or even as high as 25:1.

When your omega ratio is this skewed, your cells are essentially marinating in pro-inflammatory signals. This isn’t just a number on a lab test; it’s a foundational driver of chronic inflammation that can accelerate ageing and contribute to a host of health issues, from heart disease and cognitive decline to skin conditions like acne and eczema.

Meet the Omega-3 Power Players: EPA & DHA

When we talk about omega-3s, we’re primarily focused on two critical long-chain fatty acids: Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA). Your body can’t produce these efficiently, so they must come from your diet. While they often get grouped together, they have distinct and equally vital roles in the body.

DHA: The Brain Builder

Think of DHA as your brain’s favourite and most essential building material. It is a primary structural component of the human brain and retina, making up about 30% of your brain’s grey matter. It is literally the physical substance that builds and maintains these critical systems.

#DrVixPersonalTale: I often see patients complaining of brain fog, poor concentration, or memory issues, not realising their omega imbalance might be a key contributor. When your omega-6 levels are high, they compete with DHA for space in your brain cells. It’s like trying to build a house with substandard materials while the demolition crew is running rampant.

A recent study from Tufts University highlighted DHA’s potent anti-inflammatory effects, showing it was more effective than EPA at lowering the genetic expression and secretion of several key pro-inflammatory proteins .

EPA: The Inflammation Manager

If DHA is the builder, EPA is the body’s master inflammation conductor. Think of it as your internal fire department, rushing to calm inflammatory hotspots. EPA works by competing with pro-inflammatory omega-6s and, more importantly, by producing specialised compounds called resolvins that actively resolve and cool down inflammation.

The same Tufts University study found that while DHA had a stronger effect on inflammatory markers, EPA was better at improving the overall balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory proteins . This balance is absolutely critical for long-term health, especially for preventing cardiovascular disease.

As lead researcher Stefania Lamon-Fava explains, "DHA is the more powerful of the two on markers of inflammation... but we found EPA was better than DHA at enhancing that balance. For the prevention of cardiovascular disease, previous research tells us that balance is very important."

Fatty Acid	Primary Role	Key Benefits
DHA	Structural (The Builder)	Brain structure, cognitive function, eye health
EPA	Functional (The Manager)	Reduces inflammation, supports cardiovascular health, balances mood

The Supplement Dilemma: Why Your Fish Oil Isn’t Working

So, you take a fish oil supplement every day. That should be enough, right? Unfortunately, probably not. This is the exact trap I fell into. The problem is that most off-the-shelf omega-3 supplements are failing you in three key ways:

They Are Underdosed: That ‘1000 mg’ on the front of the bottle is misleading. You need to read the fine print to see the actual EPA and DHA content, which is often a fraction of the total oil. For real anti-inflammatory benefits, research suggests you need 1000–2000 mg of EPA and 500–1000 mg of DHA daily. Most capsules don’t even come close.

They Have Poor Absorption: Many cheaper supplements use an ethyl ester form of omega-3, which is harder for the body to absorb. High-quality supplements use a natural triglyceride form, which is more bioavailable. Furthermore, the best supplements bind the omega-3s to polyphenols (powerful antioxidants from olive oil), which protect the delicate fats from oxidation and enhance their absorption.

They Can’t Outrun a Bad Diet: A single serving of chips fried in vegetable oil can deliver more omega-6 than our ancestors consumed in an entire week. You simply cannot supplement your way out of a diet that is flooding your system with pro-inflammatory omega-6s.

The Solution: Test, Don’t Guess

If there is one principle that has revolutionised my practice and my patients’ results, it’s this: test, don’t guess.

Without measuring your omega-6:3 ratio, you are flying blind. A simple, at-home blood spot test can reveal your precise ratio, giving you a clear, scientific baseline. From there, you can make targeted dietary changes and use a high-quality, therapeutically-dosed supplement to bring your body back into balance.

Then, you re-test in 120 days to prove it’s working. This is the cornerstone of a data-led, evidence-based approach to health. No more hype, no more wasted money on supplements that don’t work. Just measurable results.

#DrVixTakeaways

Your Omega Balance is a Critical Health Metric. A high omega-6 to omega-3 ratio (anything above 3:1) is a primary driver of chronic inflammation and accelerated ageing.

Most Fish Oil Supplements Are Not Enough. They are often underdosed and in a poorly absorbed form. Look for high EPA/DHA content in a triglyceride form with added polyphenols.

DHA Builds Your Brain. It’s a structural component essential for cognitive function, but it has to compete with omega-6 for space in your cells.

EPA Manages Inflammation. It actively works to resolve inflammation and is crucial for maintaining the delicate balance your body needs for cardiovascular health.

Test, Don’t Guess! The only way to know if your efforts are working is to measure your omega ratio. Stop wasting time and money and start making data-driven decisions for your health.

Ready to stop guessing and finally win the inflammation game? It’s time to find out your numbers.

Visit our supplement page to learn more about test-based nutrition and order your BalanceTest today!



References

So, J., et al. (2021). EPA and DHA differentially modulate monocyte inflammatory response in subjects with chronic inflammation in part via plasma specialized pro-resolving lipid mediators: A randomized, double-blind, crossover study. Atherosclerosis, 316, 90-98.