Food for Thought:The Role of Nutrients in Reducing Aggression, Violence and Criminal Behavior
Accepted for Publication by Corrections Today - Written by Constantine Bitsas, Executive Director, Health Research Institute and Pfeiffer Treatment Center
Contact Information:
Constantine Bitsas, Executive Director
Health Research Institute and Pfeiffer Treatment Center
4575 Weaver Parkway
Warrenville, Illinois 60555
Telephone: 630-505-0300
Food for Thought: The Role of Nutrients in Aggression, Violence and Criminal Behavior
Almost nightly, we are besieged by news stories of violent acts, as well as television and movie depictions of violence. We see the devastating effect of violence on individuals, victims and perpetrators alike, their families and entire communities. What is more dismaying than the acts themselves is how frequently the perpetrators are youth, often with little remorse for their actions. Puzzled, we are left to ask some very difficult questions: Why are violent perpetrators ever younger? What motivates someone to commit a violent crime? What can we do to reverse the rise in violence, especially in our youth, who represent the future?
The root causes of delinquency, maladaptive and anti-social behavior, crime and violence have been debated for decades. The medical world has long believed that behavior disorders (ranging for mild temper tantrums to assaultive rages) result from life experiences, such as lack of love, bad parenting, child abuse, broken homes, and poverty. However, over the past decade, scientific research has shown that imbalances in neurotransmitters, their precursors and other biochemicals and nutrients can significantly contribute to severe behavior disorders and violence. Even more compelling is the growing number of studies demonstrating that behavior can be enhanced through nutrient supplementation and dietary changes.
The Biochemistry of Violence and Criminal Behavior
The brain is a chemical factory that constantly produces neurotransmitters throughout our lives. The raw materials are amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. The step-by-step processes by which the body produces the major neurotransmitters have been known for years.
Sufficient nutrients to produce neurotransmitters can usually be obtained from a well-balanced diet involving the major food groups. However, many persons have poor diet, absorption or metabolic disorders that result in severe nutrient imbalances that adversely affect brain functioning.
It would be a simple matter if all nutrient imbalances were deficiencies, since a multiple vitamin/mineral supplement would then have efficacy. Unfortunately, many imbalances involve overloads of certain nutrients, or inability to get rid of toxins, and multiple vitamin/mineral supplements can actually make individuals with these imbalances worse.
The connection between behavior and various nutrients has been very well established. For example, deficiencies in thiamine, vitamin B-6 or folic acid can cause impulsivity, irritability and aggressiveness. In addition, boys with lower serum omega-3 fatty acids have more behavior problems and more temper tantrums, sleep problems, and learning difficulties than those boys with higher levels of serum omega-3 fatty acids.
There is an equally well-established body of knowledge identifying the connection between behavior and trace minerals. Lead, mercury, iodine, cobalt, iron, copper, manganese, and zinc have all been found to influence brain development and function. Zinc deficiency can affect emotionality, response to stress, impact on planning skills, attention, and inhibition. Dr. William Walsh of the Health Research Institute in Warrenville, Illinois found that, in a group of 153 males between the ages 3 and 20 years old, those with a history of assaultiveness had a 1.40 copper/zinc blood ratio, significantly higher than the 1.02 copper/zinc ratio of those males without a history of assaultiveness. Most notably among the trace minerals, exposure to lead may account, at least partially, for up to 37% of arrested delinquents, according to Dr. Bruce Lanphear of Children's Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati. However, it may also be one of the most preventable causes of criminal behavior (see side bar).
Biochemical Profiles of Violence and Criminal Behavior
As far back as the 1970s, Dr. Walsh and other scientists at the Argonne National Laboratory initiated research on the biochemistry of violent behavior of convicted criminals at Statesville Penitentiary in Illinois. They noticed that there were many cases of convicted criminals unsuccessfully trying various avenues to obtain help and treatment for their violent behavior, which often started at a very early age. Dr. Walsh and his colleagues studied scientific literature and talked with professionals, but at that time most effort in the fields of mental health or criminology and reform was yielding few promising conclusions.
The first definitive results came with a sibling experiment, which tested 24 pairs of brothers living in the same households. In each sibling pair, one brother had a violent history and the other was an "all-American" boy with excellent behavior. The results showed two distinctive trace-metal patterns in the violent youths, which were not present in their normal brothers. Further studies replicated these results. The conclusion was clear: Most violent children and adults exhibited trace-metal imbalances seldom found in persons with normal behavior. Subsequent research with more than 800 criminals and ex-convicts confirmed these findings. Since that time, the Health Research Institute and Pfeiffer Treatment Center (HRI-Pfeiffer), a non-profit organization founded by Dr. Walsh, has tested over 10,000 children and adults with behavior problems, with similar results.
Of the two patterns, those with Type A biochemistry are characterized by episodic outbursts, but show remorse for their behavior after an outburst. Their body chemistry reveals: high copper, low zinc, high copper/sodium ratio, high blood lead, and abnormal blood histamine (being too high or low compared to normal levels). Many school children that have Type A biochemistry may have mild, moderate, or severe versions of this chemical imbalance.
On the other hand, those with Type B biochemistry are characterized by frequent assaultive behavior and show little or no remorse for their behavior. Their body chemistry reveals: high blood histamine, high urine kryptopyrroles, low blood spermine, low zinc, low copper/sodium ratio, and high lead. Most individuals with a Type B profile exhibit behavior disorders by age 2, and are often described as oppositional, defiant, pathological liars, remorseless, and cruel. Children that torture animals would most likely have this pattern if tested. The incidence of the Type B imbalance appears to be less than 0.5% in the general population, but between 20-75% in maximum-security prisons in Illinois, California, and Ohio.
At the far end of the biochemical spectrum, HRI-Pfeiffer's forensic studies on almost 30 mass murderers, serial killers and death row inmates have shown these individuals to have extreme examples of these imbalances. Patrick Sherrill who killed 17 co-workers in an Oklahoma post office was found to have a severe Type A imbalance. Notable examples of individulas with severe Type B imbalance include James Huberty (McDonalds massacre), serial killer Henry Lee Lucas, and Charles Manson Subjects tested include Charles Manson, James Oliver Huberty (convicted in the California McDonald's massacre) and Patrick Sherrill (responsible for the Oklahoma Post Office slayings).
Balancing the Imbalances
Fortunately, a great deal of research has demonstrated that the imbalances underlying these biochemical profiles may be corrected through ensuring an healthy and regular supply of essential nutrients such as amino acids, minerals, vitamins, and other nutrients. These biochemicals provide the building blocks to replace very low levels of nutrients, or to assist the body in eliminating toxins or nutrient build-ups that may interfere with the synthesis or function of neurotransmitters.
Some of the more recent studies that have examined the impact of nutrient supplementation and nutrition on behavior follow:
- In a double blind study conducted by Dr. Stephen Schoenthaler of California State University, school-age children on a low dose multi-vitamin and mineral tablet rated at approximately 50% USDA taken for 4 months resulted in a greater decrease in anti-social behaviors and delinquency in comparison to a placebo. Dr. Schoenthaler also references numerous studies in juvenile corrections centers that have reported violence and anti-social behavior being reduced by approximately 50% when nutrient-rich dietary programs balancing fats, sugars, starches, and proteins are implemented.
- In an outcome study conducted by Dr. William Walsh, 207 consecutive patients with a history of behavior problems were given a customized vitamin-mineral supplement designed specifically for each patient's unique nutritional needs. There was significant improvement in symptoms typically associated with behavior problems and delinquency, such as verbal tantrums, destructive behavior or assaultive behavior for 85% to 90% of compliant patients. In previous research, Dr. Walsh noted four prior studies that demonstrated lowering the copper/zinc ratio through nutrient supplementation in assaultive patients had a substantial impact on behavior.
- In a study recently published in the British Journal of Psychiatry, Dr. Bernard Gesch held a randomly assigned, double blind, placebo trial with 231adult male prisoners. Half of the participants received a multi-vitamin, mineral and essential fatty acid supplement, while the other half received a placebo. Compared to the control group, there was a 35.1% reduction of antisocial behavior with the intervention group. Overall, there were 26.3% fewer antisocial behaviors in the intervention group in comparison to the control group.
Three-Tiered Approach to Nutrient-Based Intervention for Reducing Violence and Aggression
Applying this knowledge in the corrections environment is not as daunting as one might think. Basically, an effective nutrient-based intervention could consist of three tiers:
- Modify Diets - In her book Food & Behavior, Barbara Stitt, Ph.D, who was a probation officer for twelve years, has very specific recommendations on developing a diet for correctional institutions that can provide all the essential nutrients needed to function optimally, and avoid the excesses that can compromise healthy functioning. Below is a summary of her most important points: