Ending Violent Tendencies with Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 deficiencies figure importantly among the causes of violent behavior. Studies have showed that violent criminals have much lower levels of omega-3 fatty acids in their tissues than persons who do not have violent histories. Double blind tests of prison inmates with or without vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids supplements resulted in significant reductions in anti-social behavior among the inmates receiving the supplements. Also, in animal tests, feeding monkeys a diet with a high ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids leads to more slapping, and aggressive behavior than otherwise. Finally, other tests carried out with normal college students, reduced levels of aggression and increased measures of good will were observed in the subjects when they were given omega-3 supplementation for just one week.

Just as in the observations with persons who are suffering from depression, persons with a history of violent impulsive behaviors have lower concentrations of 5-HIAA (the breakdown product of serotonin) in their bodies. This measure indicates that lower serotonin levels are being manifested in the brain. The same relationship between reduced serotonin levels and decreased capacity for happiness is therefore at play in both of these cases. Please see article " Omega-3 Fatty Acid Deficiency and the Cause of Mental Depression" in this series for a more in depth discussion on this subject.

Reduced brain cell membrane functionality must also play and an important role here as well. Reduced levels of omega-3 fatty acids lead to deficient brain cell membranes. These deficient membranes are less fluid, less flexible, and less enzyme capable. They are reduced in functionality altogether. Since it is at the surface of these membranes that all the activities of the brain actually take place the consequences are obvious. Poorly functioning brain cell membranes can not keep up with the lightening quick chemical transfers and transformations that need to keep happening at the surface of these membranes. The processes of thought and mood materialization somehow must become very tangled up. If you have ever had the opportunity to work on an assembly line, you will know just how things can snowball if one little part of the process jambs up. If membranes all over the place in your brain are under-parred perhaps you are bound to end up with something just like a great big traffic jam between your ears! What will happen then?

Altogether it is clear from these results that omega-3 nutrition impacts aggressive feelings and behavior in all persons, monkeys, and who knows what else. Clearly you do not need to be a violent person (or a monkey) to benefit from the power that omega-3 fatty acids possess to increase your own capacity to experience greater feelings of good will. On the other hand if you are troubled by violence in yourself or if you are trying to help others who suffer from violent tendencies, read the articles by this author on using omega-3 fatty acids. Any treatment or course of action for persons suffering from violence issues that does not take essential fatty acid deficiencies into account will be falling very short of the real possibilities of cure.

References:

Gordon, Garry, M.D., D.O., M.D.(H.), Herb Joiner-Bey, N.D.(2004).The Omega-3 Miracle. Freedom Press, Topanga, CA