Study Finds Omega-3 Supplementation Decreases Aggression by 30%

The study found that omega-3 supplementation reduced both reactive and proactive aggression in trial participants.
Published: January 17, 2025

Omega-3 fatty acids, which are commonly found in fish oil supplements, help to reduce aggression, according to a study conducted last year.

A meta-analysis was conducted by researchers from the University of Pennsylvania of 29 trials involving nearly 4,000 participants. The trials, which covered a wide range of ages, demographics, treatment durations and dosages, found that consuming omega-3 fatty acids reduced aggression by up to 30%.

Related Article: Student Bullying and Suicide: Signs of a Toxic School

The analysis shows that omega-3 reduced both reactive aggression, which is behavior in response to a provocation, and proactive aggression, which is planned.

“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,” says Penn neurocriminologist Adrian Raine. “Omega-3 is not a magic bullet that is going to completely solve the problem of violence in society. 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.”

——Article Continues Below——

Get the latest industry news and research delivered directly to your inbox.

Study Author Recommends Kids Eat More Fish to Boost Omega-3 Intake

He also recommends that parents seeking treatment for an aggressive child consider giving them an extra portion or two of fish each week.

However, the trials that were reviewed only lasted and average of 16 weeks. Raine believes the next steps are to evaluate if omega-3 supplements can reduce aggression in the long term.

Omega-3 supplements have long been considered beneficial for mental and physical health. They’ve previously been linked to preventing schizophrenia, reports Science Alert. Additionally, studies have found they reduce the risk of heart problems, including heart attacks and strokes

Strategy & Planning Series
Strategy & Planning Series
Strategy & Planning Series
Strategy & Planning Series
Strategy & Planning Series