Effect of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Aggression

Since the 1990s, a growing body of evidence from epidemiological and intervention studies has suggested that omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) affect emotion (especially aggression), which is clearly important from both medical and social points of view. To date, we have conducted five intervention studies in different populations (elementary school children in Japan and Indonesia, young adults in Japan (two reports), and adults in Thailand) in a double-blind manner. From the results of these studies, it seems that the presence of a stressor is the key factor determining whether or not the effects of omega-3 PUFAs are observed. Activation of serotonergic neurons is the most likely mechanism of this effect. In this review, we discuss our results, as well as those of others, and we consider the possible mechanisms of omega-3 PUFAs on aggression.