In a landmark study, Australian inmates will soon be given Omega-3 to test whether the supplement can reduce aggressive behaviour in some of the state's most violent offenders.
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Researchers have been granted ethical approval to conduct the study in a number of Australian prisons.
The trial will begin in Nowra and expand to Lithgow, Wellington and the NSW Mid-North Coast by the middle of the year.
Inmates at the Port Augusta and Yatala Prison will be recruited for the trial in 2020.
The research builds on a University of Wollongong (UOW) pilot study which identified that prison inmates who are low in Omega-3 are more aggressive, and more likely to display attention deficit disorder (ADD) behaviours.
We are hoping for a reduction in violent behavior but there are also physical health benefits as well.
- UOW Associate Professor Barbara Meyers
UOW Associate Professor Barbara Meyers is leading the $1.8m project.
"When you analyse the blood samples compared to the level of aggression and the levels of attention deficit disorders, there are really good correlations suggesting that it is due to Omega-3," Associate Professor Meyers said.
Two similar studies have also been carried out in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands showing a 35 per cent reduction in the severity and number of reprimands.
Low Omega-3 stores have previously been linked with mental health issues such as ADD, poor impulse control and depression.
"We are hoping for a reduction in violent behavior but there are also physical health benefits as well," Associate Professor Meyers said.
"It will improve cardiovascular disease risk, improve insulin resistance – which is related to diabetes, it may even improve on inflammatory skin disorders. Anecdotally some people said their joint pain went away."
During the 16-week study, volunteer prisoners will be randomly assigned to an active or placebo supplement.
It is presumed that prisoners receiving the active Omega-3 supplements will demonstrate reduced aggressive behaviour and reduced ADD symptoms, compared to prisoners receiving a placebo supplement.
As a partnership grant with the National Health and Medical Research Council, the results will be rolled out into policy and practice.
"What we are hoping to do is then develop a framework for national and corporation of dietary supplementation within the prison systems," Associate Professor Meyers said.
"As well as that we want to develop an education program for inmates on the benefits of Omega-3 supplementation."
Results of the trial are expected to be available by the end of 2022.
