Expert profile
Dr. Bill Harris
Researcher
Omega-3 Fatty Acids • Cardiovascular Research
2Discussions
114 minAnalysed
Related Health Areas
About the expert
Focus: Omega-3 fatty acids and the Omega-3 Index
Bill Harris is a researcher specializing in omega-3 fatty acids and cardiovascular health. He helped develop the Omega-3 Index, a blood test used to assess fatty acid status in red blood cell membranes.
Expert discussions with Dr. Bill Harris
EPA vs DHA: Which One Actually Works?
Most people who take omega-3 supplements never reach the level shown to support heart, brain, and eye health. The fix is to measure your Omega-3 Index in blood, not guess from doses on a bottle. Plant-based ALA converts inefficiently to EPA and DHA in most people, making marine sources a more reliable way to increase long-chain omega-3 levels.
Harris: Why the omega-3 index may predict long-term health risk
The omega-3 index is a blood test that may track long-term risk for heart disease, dementia, and early death. Most Americans sit below the 8 percent range often discussed as desirable by omega-3 researchers. Lifting it through fish or supplements may help, but the benefit depends on where you start.