Influence of supplementary vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids on the antisocial behaviour of young adult prisoners

British Journal of Psychiatry
Q1
Jul 2002
Citations:441
Influential Citations:22
Interventional (Human) Studies
98
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Enhanced Details

Methods
Experimental, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial; 231 young adult prisoners (age 18+).
Intervention
One Forceval vitamin/mineral capsule plus four Efamol Marine essential fatty acid capsules taken daily; duration ranged from 2 weeks to 9 months (average around 142 days).
Results
Daily supplementation with Forceval and Efamol Marine reduced antisocial behaviour compared with placebo. Overall, active supplementation produced a 26.3% reduction in disciplinary offences (95% CI 8.3% to 44.3%; P=0.03). In participants with at least 2 weeks of supplementation (n=172), offences decreased by 35.1% (95% CI 16.3% to 53.9%; P<0.001). In the treated subset, governor-reported offences fell by 37% (95% CI 11.6% to 62.4%; P<0.005) and minor reports by 33.3% (95% CI 0.9% to 65.7%). This supports the view that improving micronutrient and essential fatty acid intake can reduce antisocial behaviour, with potential implications for individuals with poor diets in the community.
Limitations
Interpretation limited by prison setting; generalizability to community is uncertain. Interactions within a confined setting may bias results toward underestimation. Biochemical measures were not collected, limiting mechanistic insight. Findings based on a subset (172 treated); replication in broader contexts is needed.

Abstract

Background There is evidence that offenders consume diets lacking in essential nutrients and this could adversely affect their behaviour. Aims To test empirically if physiologically adequate intakes of vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids cau...