A positive association between high dietary medium-chain fatty acids intake and depression: Mediation of inflammation

Exploring the link between dietary intake of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) and the risk of depression:

This study by Zeng & Zhang (2025) aimed to explore the link between dietary intake of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) and the risk of depression while examining possible underlying mechanisms. Researchers analyzed data from 11,085 individuals participating in the NHANES survey. The intake of certain MCFAs, namely lauric acid (C12:0), decanoic acid (C10:0), and octanoic acid (C8:0), was computed and shown as a percentage of the total fatty acid intake. Depression was identified using a PHQ-9 score of 10 or higher. C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were also analyzed as a possible mediator. The findings indicated that lauric acid was the most potent contributor to the considerably higher risks of depression among individuals in the highest quartile of MCFA consumption as compared to those in the lowest quartile. CRP was found to partially mediate the relationship between high MCFA intake and depression, suggesting that inflammation plays a modest role in the observed link. [NPID: medium-chain fatty acids, depression, dietary intake, lauric acid, octanoic acid, decanoic acid, c-reactive protein, inflammation, NHANES]

Year: 2025

Reference: Zeng, L., & Zhang, F. (2025). A positive association between high dietary medium-chain fatty acids intake and depression: Mediation of inflammation. Journal of Affective Disorders. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2025.03.186

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