Nutritional factors associated with aggression
Choy, O. (2023) Front Psychiatry 14 1176061. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1176061.
Web URL: Read this and related articles via Pubmed here. Gree full text of this article is available online
Abstract:
Although the vast majority of patients in forensic psychiatry are treated using pharmacological agents, clinical and ethical concerns about their use have led to the consideration of alternative strategies to reduce aggression that is common in forensic psychiatric settings.One non-invasive and benign biologically-based treatment approach involves nutrition. This article provides a mini-review of the recent evidence on four salient nutritional factors associated with aggressive behavior, namely omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, magnesium, and zinc.
The current evidence base indicates that lower omega-3 levels are associated with increased aggression. Although research on vitamin D and zinc in relation to aggressive behavior is more limited, there is initial evidence that they are negatively associated with aggression in healthy participants and in psychiatric samples. The relationship between magnesium and aggression varies depending on how magnesium is assessed.
Findings from experimental trials reveal that nutritional intervention in the form of omega-3 supplementation has the potential to serve as an effective mode of treatment, with effects that can last beyond the intervention period. There is also support for the utility of nutrition to improve our understanding of how social processes are linked to aggression.
In light of the nascent, but promising findings on the role of nutritional factors on aggressive behavior, directions for future research are discussed.
FAB RESEARCH COMMENT:
As this new review highlights, dealing with the consequences of aggression is a major and costly problem in the management of psychiatric disorders (and in wider society), and there is a significant unmet need for more effective treatment options.Substantial research now shows that essential nutrient deficiencies and imbalances are commonly associated with aggressive and antisocial behaviour - in clinical, prison and community settings.
Furthermore, controlled clinical trials have provided evidence that in some populations, aggressive and antisocial behaviour (including violence) can be reduced by dietary supplementation, either with a broad spectrum of micronutrients, or with specific nutrients individually, or in combination.
This review focuses on four nutrients that have shown particular promise in this respect - namely the long-chain omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA (found in fish and seafood), zinc, magnesium and Vitamin D.
Each is essential for healthy brain development and function (and therefore mood, behaviour and cognition) and yet deficiencies of omega-3 and Vitamin D in particular are remarkably common even in the general population, and even more so in patients with psychiatric disorders.
Controlled clinical trial evidence for benefits in reducing aggression is currently strongest for omega-3 - but as all nutrients work in synergy, there is a strong rationale for a broad spectrum approach to supplementation when necessary.
As ever, this review concludes that more high-quality evidence from clinical trials is still needed - although existing evidence shows nutritional interventions are generally very safe, acceptable to patients, and have general health benefits.
However, nutrients are always best obtained via real foods and diets whenever possible (it's just that the effects of real diets are far less suited to evaluation via randomised controlled trials, as blinding, and measurement of compliance)
So as the author notes, the existing evidence also has broader implications - and highlights the serious shortcomings of public health policy and wider society continuing to ignore or downlplay the fundamental links between nutrition and health - including brain health and its effects on behaviour and mental wellbeing.
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