New Research Shows Depression Linked with Inflammation

One traditional hypothesis of depression is that people who are depressed have a deficiency in monoamine neurotransmitters in the body, which leads to low levels of neurotransmitters like serotonin and norephinephrine in the brain. But growing evidence supports that at least some forms of depression may also be linked to ongoing low-grade inflammation in the body.

Previous studies have linked depression with higher level of inflammatory markers compared to people who are not depressed. When people are given proinflammatory cytokines, people experience more symptoms of depression and anxiety. Chronically higher levels of inflammation due to medical illnesses are also associated with higher rates of depression. Even brain imaging of people with depression show that their brain scans have increased neuroinflammation. When your body is in an inflammatory state fighting off the common cold or flu, you can experience symptoms overlapping with depression— disrupted sleep, depressed mood, fatigue, foggy-headedness, and impaired concentration.

A new study published in The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry supports the premise that increased inflammation may play a role in depression. The large study examined data from 14,275 people who were interviewed between 2007 and 2012 using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) to screen for depression and had blood samples drawn. They found that people who had depression had 46% higher levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of inflammatory disease, in their blood samples. The study was only able to establish an association between depression and inflammation but not causation, though it confirms the association of depression with high levels of inflammation as measured through CRP.

The theory that depression may be viewed as a psychoneuroimmunological disorder can also help explain why efforts to reduce chronic inflammation in the body also improves and helps prevent depression. Here are five scientifically proven ways you can help reduce inflammation:

1. Reduce your overall stress levels. Chronic stress has been shown to worsen inflammation in the body, leading to both harmful physical and mental effects. Even when things are hectic, find ways to take care of yourself and reduce stress. It's not just good for your mind, but your body as well.
2. Eat better: more anti-inflammatory foods, less inflammatory foods.
   You can reduce inflammation in the body by eating better. Avoid foods on Harvard Health’s list of foods that worsen inflammation: fried foods, soda, white bread and pastries, margarine, lard, and red meat. It’s not surprising this is the same kind of food associated with higher rates of depression.
   Foods that are anti-inflammatory include tomatoes, olive oil, green leafy vegetables, nuts like almonds, walnuts, fish, and berries. These foods also overlap with my recommended top 10 foods to eat for your mood.
3. Fight inflammation with regular exercise 2-3 times a week.
   Aging is associated with increased inflammation, and many studies show that you can fight age-related inflammation with regular exercise, even light walking for 2-4 hours a week.
4. Do mind-body exercises like yoga. Yoga has been shown to boost natural antioxidants in the body that fight off inflammation.
5. Do breathing exercises for 10-20 minutes a day. Simple calming breathing exercises both reduce stress and has an actual physical impact on your body. One study showed you can lower inflammatory markers in your body just after 20 minutes of yoga breathing.

Copyright © 2017 Marlynn Wei, MD

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