Actually, I think you might be better looking elsewhere for help with depression. In my own experience, and that of other people I know, psychological factors have always been the main cause of depression, and resolving them results in curing the depression. The problem is that it isn't always easy to identify the factors causing the depression.
As for the science: we do know that both psychological stressors and infections both cause inflammation. Stress results in activation of the HPA axis and sympathetic nervous system, which screws up the immune system in various ways (including inflammation). Conversely, having a severe infection can make you feel depressed.
It's really just a theory that inflammation causes depression. I think it's more likely that it's a result of cortisol and/or neurotransmitters (i.e. too much brain activity). Cortisol seems a more likely candidate for being central to depression in my opinion.
The science here seems to be based on a desire to have a physical rather than a psychological cause for depression. Michael Maes has a history of that (see his CFS publications).
Seems like taking action in the real world and avoiding sources of inflammation would have a positive psychological effect. Giving the person a feeling of control over one area of their life.
Surely that would be beneficial, whether or not the link between depression and inflammation is scientifically proven?
Sure, anything can be a placebo effect. However I myself prefer to understand exactly what is happening rather than believing fairy stories, and I think it's fairer to patients as well.
Unfortunately there is a lot of dubious science out there, and a lot of patients who prefer the fairy stories.
Having said that, doing things like exercising and having a good diet will certainly improve health. Exercise has proven to be very beneficial for depression, although I don't think that inflammation has been proven to be what mediates the effect.
It's legitimate to use a chemical response as a short-term solution, if it's safe and non-addictive. This walks straight into the "every case is different" territory, though.
As for the science: we do know that both psychological stressors and infections both cause inflammation. Stress results in activation of the HPA axis and sympathetic nervous system, which screws up the immune system in various ways (including inflammation). Conversely, having a severe infection can make you feel depressed.
It's really just a theory that inflammation causes depression. I think it's more likely that it's a result of cortisol and/or neurotransmitters (i.e. too much brain activity). Cortisol seems a more likely candidate for being central to depression in my opinion.
The science here seems to be based on a desire to have a physical rather than a psychological cause for depression. Michael Maes has a history of that (see his CFS publications).