December 5, 2002 – Prisons are a harsh and brutal environment for the men who stay there. Researchers1 have, however, discovered a way to soften the mores of these people by adding vitamin supplements to their diet.
Two hundred and thirty-one young men randomly divided into two groups (the placebo group and the group of people who took the supplements) participated in the study for an average of 142 days (from two weeks to nine months). Supplements provided included several vitamins and minerals (B complex vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin E, iron, copper, magnesium, zinc, iodine, selenium, chromium and molybdenum). They also contained omega-3 fatty acids. Participants were to take them according to the dosage recommended by the US and UK governments.
The results showed that participants who took the supplements for at least two weeks (172 people) experienced a marked decrease in their antisocial behavior, including violence. In fact, a 35% reduction in disciplinary action was seen among this group of people. Researchers believe that taking vitamin supplements would have a similar effect among the extracarricular population.
However, according to the newspaper Lifestyleinterpretation of the results remains imprecise: it is difficult to determine, among the wide range of supplements administered, which ones really played a role. Always according to Lifestyle, these findings may also suggest that a poor diet may be the cause of aggressive behavior. More research is needed to determine what mechanisms are involved in the development of antisocial behavior and what type of eating may be responsible.
Stéphane Gagné – PasseportSanté.net
According to Lifestyle, October 2002.
1. Gesch CB, Hammond SM, Hampson SE, Eves A, Crowder MJ. Influence of supplementary vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids on the antisocial behavior of young adult prisoners. Randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Br J Psychiatry 2002 Jul; 181: 22-8. [consulté le 4 décembre 2002].
