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Eating fish may reduce criminal aggressiveness When they're released from prison, inmates might want to increase their intake of fish or take omega-3 supplements to curb aggressive behaviors and reduce the risk of relapse, a leading psychologist suggested last week. "Why not try it? What would be the harm?" said Dr. Adrian Raine, professor of Criminology, Psychiatry and Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania, speaking at the IV Brazilian Congress of Brain, Behavior and Emotions. "Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to improve the functioning of brains and reduce violent behaviors," he said. "And actually, American prisoners eat very little fish." The proposal is based on a growing but controversial body of evidence that attributes criminality to biological factors, such as a genetically driven dysfunction in the prefrontal cortex. Biological predisposition might explain at least 50 percent of criminal behavior, Raine estimates. In this context, nutritional intervention in prisoners might become a "naturalistic" way of helping change brains at risk. "It might not only reduce serious offending, but could also make prisoners more amenable to other treatments, such as cognitive behavior therapy," he said. Raine based his hypothesis upon the results of some compelling trials in children and adults, he said. A 2002 study conducted with 231 young English prisoners showed that taking nutritional supplements containing omega-3 fatty acids, for at least 2 weeks, was associated with a 35 percent reduction in offenses after 5 months. In another study, conducted by Raine and published in the American Journal of Psychiatry in 2003, children aged 3 to 5 participated in an environmental enrichment program, including a fish-centered diet, physical activity and cognitive stimulation. Twenty years later, it was found that the crime rate in the intervention group was 35 percent lower. A third trial, published in 2005, showed that normal 8-to-11 year-old children reduced their aggressive behavior by taking omega-3 fatty acids supplements for only 4 months. In addition, a 2001 cross-national ecological analysis found a direct link between seafood intake and lower murder rates. "Fish oil and omega-3 fatty acids improve brain structures and attention abilities. And perhaps violent individuals need better brains to learn instructions to regulate their emotions," Raine said. Effective dosages of omega-3 or fish intake to prevent antisocial conduct or criminal relapses are unknown, but about 1 gram a day of omega-3 fatty acids or two to three fish meals a week might be needed, the investigator added. Dr. Cinque's comments: Other studies have also correlated fish-eating with lower rates of violent crime. In Japan, for instance, they have much less violent crime than in the U.S. Some are quick to attribute it to the strict gun control laws they have over there, but it isn't just shooting deaths that are fewer. There are fewer stabbing deaths in Japan as well, even though they have just as many knives. And there is less wife-beating, child-beating, etc. Japanese are less violent than Americans, across the spectrum,, and there's no denying it. Is it just a cultural difference, or is it because they consume more omega-3 fatty acids? I believe that diet is a factor. I have been taking Nordic Naturals Pro Omega Fish Oil for a long time, and I haven't hit anybody in months. Just kidding. E-mail to a friend Previous Article Next Article |
