STUDY FINDS FOOD SUPPLEMENTS CURB VIOLENT BEHAVIOR

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INDEPENDENT, UK - Some of Britain's most challenging young prisoners are
to be given food supplements in a study aimed at curbing violent
behavior. Scientists from Oxford University say the effect of nutrition
on behavior has been underestimated. They say increases in consumption
of "junk" food over the past 50 years have contributed to a rise in
violence. . . In a pilot study of 231 prisoners by the same researchers,
published in 2002, violent incidents while in custody were cut by a more
than a third among those given the supplements. Overall, offences
recorded by the prison authorities fell by a quarter. . .

The theory behind the trial is that when the brain is starved of
essential nutrients, especially omega-3 fatty acids, which are a central
building block of brain neurons, it loses "flexibility". This shortens
attention spans and undermines self-control. Even though prison food is
nutritious, prisoners tend to make unhealthy choices and need
supplements, the researchers say.

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-wellbeing/
health-news/prison-study-to-investigate-link-between-junk-
food-and-violence-775176.html


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