Penn Meta-Analysis Finds Omega-3 Cuts Aggression by Up to 28% Across 29 Trials

2 articles · Updated · ScienceAlert · May 25

A University of Pennsylvania meta-analysis of 29 randomized controlled trials found omega-3 supplementation reduced aggressive behavior by up to 28% in the short term.
The review covered 3,918 participants across studies run from 1996 to 2024, with trials averaging 16 weeks and showing benefits across age, sex, diagnosis, treatment length and dose.
Researchers said the effect appeared in both reactive aggression after provocation and proactive, premeditated aggression, extending earlier evidence that had not clearly covered both types.
The team said omega-3 should now be considered as an adjunct to psychological or drug treatment in community, clinical and criminal-justice settings, while stressing it is not a standalone fix.
Longer, larger studies are still needed, but the findings add to evidence that omega-3's anti-inflammatory and brain-supporting effects may have broader mental and physical health benefits.

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