Could Omega-3 Put an End to Violence?

Dwight's Story

Dwight had a problem with violence. He has been in and out of prison so many times he lost count. Guilty of drunk and disorderly conduct, trespassing, and violent assault and battery, Dwight is now a changed man.

What's responsible for the change? According to Dwight and clinician Joseph Hibbeln, Omega-3 is the cause of this miraculous change in personality.

The Problem of Violence

Violence is the leading cause of death for people aged 15-44 years old and is responsible for 14% of deaths among men and 7% among women. In Britain, the prisons have reached capacity and crowding in prisons in the United States is an ongoing battle.

Violence is also a huge burden for countries economically including the United States where billions of dollars are spent each year in attempt to combat and eliminate the problem.

What Causes Violence?

There are many theories as to the different causes of violence. One study performed by clinician Joseph Hibbeln at the U.S. National Institutes for Health, is gaining attention. According to Hibbeln, the modern, industrialized diet of Americans may be changing the architecture and function of the human brain.

Hibbeln believes that we are a society suffering from widespread nutritional deficiencies and believes that our diet of junk food may not only be making us sick, but mad and bad too. As a psychiatrist and physician, he explains that that standard western diet has switched from one high in omega-3 to diets high in omega-6.

Omega-3 or essential fatty acids are essential to proper functioning of the human brain. Not having the proper levels of omega-3 causes mental problems ranging from depression to aggression.

As part of his research, Hibbeln tracked the growth in consumption of omega-6 fatty acids in 38 countries beginning in 1960. He and his colleagues compared this data to the rise in murder rates during the same period. The result? As the consumption of omega-6 increases, so do homicides.

The flip side is Japan. Japan still consumes high amounts of fish naturally high in omega-3. They also have very low rates of murder and depression.

Can Omega-3 Reduce Violence?

In the UK at Aylesbury Prison, when inmates were given multivitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids, violent offences dropped by 37%. Lord Ramsbotham, former chief inspector of prisons in the UK, believes that diet isn't the sole cause of violence but that there is strong evidence showing a direct link between the two.

The Dutch Government is currently working on a similar test to see if they get the same results

A Happy Ending

While doctors and researchers aren't saying omega-3 deficiencies are responsible for all the violence that occurs, they agree with Lord Ramsbotham and state there is direct evidence linking the two. Just ask Dwight Demar.

Dwight now lives a normal life complete with a girlfriend, a job where he made employee of the month and has remained sober for a year. Other inmates report the same results and will quickly tell you they contribute it to their improved nutrition from taking omega-3 supplements.