EPA Supplementation for Depression: Pro-Resolving Lipid Mediators Key to Response

Why do some people respond to EPA supplements for depression?

People who respond to EPA supplements have significantly higher levels of pro-resolving lipid mediators in their blood, particularly at the 4 gram/day dose where response rates were substantially higher than placebo. A study published in Neuropsychopharmacology shows these specialized molecules reduce inflammation and explain why omega-3s work for some but not others, with responders showing greater increases in anti-inflammatory mediators.

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Omega-3 for Inflamed Depression: Match/Mismatch Study Reveals Key Insights

Do omega-3s work better for inflamed depression?

Omega-3 supplements work significantly better for patients with inflamed depression compared to non-inflamed depression. Match/mismatch study identifies inflammation biomarkers that predict treatment response.

Omega-3s work by reducing inflammation that drives depression in inflamed patients, with inflammatory biomarkers identifying which patients are most likely to benefit from this personalized approach.

What the data show:

• Inflamed depression: high inflammation predicts omega-3 effectiveness
• Biomarker guidance: inflammatory markers identify ideal candidates
• Personalized approach: matches treatment to individual inflammatory profile
• Precision medicine: avoids treating patients unlikely to respond
• Treatment matching: identifies which patients benefit most from omega-3s

A groundbreaking match/mismatch study published in Brain, Behavior, and Immunity examined omega-3 fatty acids using inflammatory biomarkers to predict response, determining which depression patients are most likely to benefit based on their specific inflammatory profile.

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