People who eat fish rich in heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids appear to have less hostility than those who don't eat such fish.

Dr. Carlos Ibarren, a researcher with Kaiser Permanente in Oakland, and colleagues at several medical centers analyzed eating habits and psychological tests of 3,581 urban adults, ages 18 to 30. specifically studied the association of dietary omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, (As well as fish--tuna and salmon), with the level of hostility in urban white and black young adults living in California. After the researchers adjusted for such factors as age, sex, race, education, employment, smoking, drinking and weight, they found that a diet high in omega-3 fatty acids was an independent predictor that someone would score lower on measurements of hostility, including cynicism and mistrust of others, anger and aggression.

The findings, published in the January issue of the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, follow Japanese research from 2000 that found fish oil supplements lowered aggression in students dealing with the stresses of final exams, and a 1992 U.S. study that found a cholesterol-lowering high-fish diet reduced hostility and depression in adults. Young adults with a high intake of omega-3 fatty acids may be less prone to hostility, say researchers, and this could in turn reduce their risk of heart attacks.

Both intake of fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids and docosahexaenoic acid intake were independently associated with lower odds of high hostility, they report. This relationship could offer further insight into the cardioprotective effect of dietary fish and polyunsaturated fatty acids. "The association between dietary omega-3 fatty acids and hostile personality merits further research,”write the researchers.

The relationship between behavior and diet has also been studied by scientists in the UK, particularly in regard to children. An ongoing study is examining whether fatty acid supplements can help improve the behavior of hyperactive and disruptive children. University of Surrey researchers have also studied the impact of vitamin supplements on a group of prisoners. The vitamin group was found to commit a quarter fewer offences compared with the placebo group.

Durham Research - Using Fatty Acids for Learning Conditions