Omega-3 Supplementation May Reduce Aggression in Kids and Adults

A growing number of studies now show that aggressive and antisocial behavior can often be reduced through the provision of nutrient-rich diets and appropriate supplementation.

In a randomized trial of nutritional supplements involving 231 young adult prisoners in England, individuals receiving the supplements for at least 2 weeks committed an average of 35 percent fewer behavioral offences. Published in the British Journal of Psychiatry in 2002, the study concluded that antisocial behavior in prisons, including violence, is reduced by vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids, and that this has implications for people eating poor diets in the community.

The underlying idea behind this area of research is essentially a simple one; namely that the brain needs to be nourished, just like all other organs of the body, and that it is therefore vital to consider the brain’s nutritional needs as a key factor in governing behavior. Further support for this understanding comes from work conducted in the United States, which has shown that school children given a daily nutritional supplement for a period of 4 months had lower rates of threats and fighting, vandalism, being disrespectful, disorderly conduct, defiance, obscenities, refusal to work or serve, endangering others, and other offences.

To read about similar research of this type conducted in the Netherlands, see this article on our website.