Compositions including an fatty acid, such as an odd chain fatty acid or a very long even chain fatty acid, and salts and derivatives thereof, and methods for treatment and prophylaxis of conditions related to inflammation and conditions related to inflammation, including anemia of chronic disease, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, autoimmune disease, hypertension, diabetes, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, cardiovascular disease, cancer, aging, neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia, and other related conditions, and other related conditions.