Up to 28%…nutritional improvement that may reduce aggression

09:00 a.m

Monday, October 7, 2024

Fatty acids available as nutritional supplements are used to improve physical health, as they are beneficial for heart health and regulate the nervous system, as well as their anti-inflammatory effect.

A new study has found that these supplements can also improve mental health. What we eat can affect our brain chemistry, according to Science Alert.

Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania built on previous, smaller studies on the effects of omega-3 supplements on aggression. Their statistical analysis looked at 29 trials involving a total of 3,918 participants.

Across all trials, a small but significant short-term effect was found, leading to a reduction of up to 28% in aggression across many different variables (including age, sex, medical diagnosis, and duration of treatment and dose).

Neuroscientist Adrian Raine said: “I think it’s time to implement omega-3 supplements to reduce aggression. “

The trials included in the study were conducted between 1996 and 2024, and lasted an average of 16 weeks. It covered a variety of demographics, from children aged 16 and under to seniors aged 50 to 60.

Additionally, reductions in aggression included reactive aggression (in response to stimuli) and proactive aggression (pre-planned behaviour).

Before this study, it was not clear whether omega-3 could help with these different types of aggression.

Although larger studies over longer periods of time will be needed to confirm this relationship, it adds to our understanding of how fish oil and omega-3 supplements may benefit the brain.

“In any case, parents seeking treatment for an aggressive child should know that, in addition to any other treatment their child is receiving, eating an extra fish or two each week may also help ,” Ryan said.

Researchers believe that something in the way omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation and keep vital processes in the brain going may help regulate aggressive behavior. There are still many unanswered questions, but the team says there is enough evidence to investigate this case further.

Add to that studies showing that fish oil-derived medications can help reduce the risk of fatal heart attacks, strokes, and other heart health problems, and it looks like there are plenty of benefits to adding some of omega-3s to your diet.

The study was published in the journal Aggression and Violent Behaviour.