We had supplements to live more, improve our strength and sleep better. Now we have one to get less angry

We are likely to associate the name “Omega-3” for the beneficial effects that these fatty acids have on our cardiovascular health. However, over time we have discovered that these compounds They have more advantages.

Let’s not lose the papers. For example, Now we know That the consumption of omega-3 fatty acid supplements is related to less aggressiveness. It is the conclusion reached by a group of experts after reviewing almost thirty studies on the subject published between 1996 and 2024.

Omega-3. Surely we have heard on numerous occasions about the Omega-3 but what are they really? It is a group of polyunsaturated fatty acids that we often obtain through fish consumption (especially species such as northern bonito or white tuna, mackerel, salmon, sardines and trout), but which we can also find in other foods, such as nuts, flaxseed oil, soybean or chia seeds.

We usually associate these fatty acids with better cardiovascular healthand for good reason: they reduce the presence of triglycerides (other types of fat present in our blood, these not so beneficial), as well as decrease the possibility of developing arrhythmias or the accumulation of plaque in our arteries. These fatty acids can also help us reduce blood pressure.

Body and mind. But the studies carried out around the physiological benefits of these compounds have been complemented with analysis on the psychological and neurological impacts. Studies like a decade ago He detected a relationship between these nutrients and schizophrenia, or clinical trials that began establishing their relationship with aggression levels.

29 randomized essays. The team responsible for the new analysis compiled 35 independent samples extracted from 29 studies (including 3,918 participants) published between 1996 and 2024. From this exhibition, the team conducted a meta -analysis, a quantitative study of compiled essays.

This served to detect modest but statistically significant effects in the relationship between Omega-3 and aggression. The team estimated a reduction of almost 30% in the levels of aggression, apart from gender age, diagnosis, duration of treatment and dose. The analysis found evidence that these fatty acids could reduce both reactive aggression (in response to a provocation), such as provocative (planned) aggression.

The details of the study were published In an article In the magazine Aggressive and Violent Behavior.

Continue investigating. Those responsible for the new study indicate that the fact that Omega-3 fatty acids are a normal component of our diet that we can find in a simple way in the form of supplement makes them a harmless treatment when reducing aggressiveness. Therefore, although there are important limitations regarding what we know about its effectiveness, they recommend their use, even as a complement to other measures.

“The Omega-3 is not a magical bullet that will solve the problem of violence in society. But can it help? Based on these findings, we firmly believe that it can, and that we should start acting based on the new knowledge we have,” pointed in a press release Adrian Raine, co -author of the study.

Despite this, the limitations that can be considered. For example, we do not know the biochemical mechanisms that could justify the casual relationship between Omega-3 consumption and the reduction of aggressiveness. In addition, according to Raine himself, analyzed studies focused mainly on short -term effects, so the task of evaluating them in the longer term is still pending.

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Image | Medieservice / Alesia Kozik