EPA has been shown to effectively benefit a number of mood and behavior disorders, in both adults and children. A number of mechanisms are likely responsible for the observed benefits. Have cytokines ever been implicated in mood or behavior disorders?

Before a human study of benefit is performed a preliminary type of study is conducted. In such an “observational” study, people with a disease or disorder of interest will be compared to a group of otherwise healthy people. Such studies have revealed that people suffering from mood and behavior disorders have elevated levels of cytokines circulating in their blood. This has been shown for depression, bipolar depression, childhood and adult ADD/ ADHD, anxiety, schizophrenia, and others. Stress has also been shown to increase levels of circulating cytokines.

Many human studies have shown that supplementation with high EPA oils benefit the disorders of mood and behavior listed above. None- to- date have simultaneously measured cytokine levels while treating with high EPA oils. Studies currently under way have recognized links with cytokines and therefore are measuring them while treating mood and behavior disorders.