Omega-3 fatty acids, commonly found in fish oil capsules, are known for their benefits to mental and physical health. A recent study now suggests they can also significantly reduce aggression.
This connection isn’t entirely new; omega-3 has been previously linked to preventing schizophrenia and addressing nutritional deficiencies that can influence brain chemistry and behavior. Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania expanded on earlier studies by conducting a meta-analysis of 29 randomized controlled trials, involving 3,918 participants.
The analysis revealed a modest but significant short-term effect, with up to a 28 percent reduction in aggression across various factors, including age, gender, medical conditions, and treatment specifics.
“I think the time has come to implement omega-3 supplementation to reduce aggression, irrespective of whether the setting is the community, the clinic, or the criminal justice system,” stated neurocriminologist Adrian Raine.
The trials, conducted between 1996 and 2024, averaged 16 weeks in duration and included a diverse demographic range from children under 16 to adults aged 50-60. The study found reductions in both reactive aggression (response to provocation) and proactive aggression (planned behavior), highlighting omega-3’s broad impact on different aggression types.
While further large-scale, long-term studies are needed, this research adds to the growing evidence that fish oil supplements can benefit brain health. Raine suggests that parents of aggressive children consider adding fish to their diet as a complementary treatment.
The researchers believe that omega-3’s ability to reduce inflammation and support vital brain processes might be key to its effects on aggression. Despite some unanswered questions, they argue that the evidence warrants further investigation.
Moreover, omega-3’s benefits extend beyond mental health. Studies show that fish oil can reduce the risk of fatal heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular issues, providing multiple health advantages.
“Omega-3 is not a magic bullet that is going to completely solve the problem of violence in society,” Raine cautioned. “But can it help? Based on these findings, we firmly believe it can, and we should start to act on the new knowledge we have.”