Omega-3 fatty acids can lower childhood aggression

Consuming foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids is likely to reduce extreme aggression in children within a short period especially its more impulsive and emotional form, says a new research.

Omega-3 fatty acids are naturally found in fatty fish, such as tuna, seafood and some nuts and seeds.

The findings showed that incorporating Omega-3 vitamins and mineral supplements into the diets of children can decrease their aggressive and antisocial behaviour.

Also, the participants getting the combination of cognitive behavioural therapy and Omega-3s reported less aggression than the control group and the therapy-only group.

"Immediately after three months of the nutritional intervention rich in Omega-3s, we found a decrease in the children's reporting of their aggressive behaviour," said Therese Richmond from the University Of Pennsylvania, US.

For the study, published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, the randomised trial included 290 children who were aged between 11-12 year olds with a history of violence.

They were divided into four groups. The first received Omega-3 in the form of juice, as well as multivitamins and calcium for three months.

The second group participated in cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) which focused on the links between thoughts, feelings and behaviours and also practicing alternative actions the children could take to deal with difficult situations rather than to emotionally react to something.

The third group took the supplements and participated in CBT, and the fourth received resources and information targeted at reducing aggressive behaviour.

Blood samples at the experiment's start and conclusion measured Omega-3 levels in each child.

--IANS

rt/ksk