Hugh Johnson
Member
ABSTRACT: Clinical intervention trials and animal studies indicate
that increasing dietary intakes of long chain n-3 FA or reducing
linoleic acid intake may reduce aggressive and violent behaviors.
Here we examine if economic measures of greater n-6 consumption
across time and countries correlate with greater risk of
homicide. Linoleic acid available for human consumption was
calculated from World Health Organization disappearance data
for 12 major seed oils in the food supply for the years 1961 to
2000 in Argentina, Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and
the United States (US). Homicide mortality rates, adjusted for age,
were obtained from the central judicial authority of each country.
Apparent linoleic acid intake from seed oil sources ranged from
0.29 en% (percentage of daily food energy) (Australia 1962) to 8.3
en% (US 1990s). Greater apparent consumption of linoleic acid
correlated with higher rates of homicide mortality over a 20-fold
range (0.51–10.2/100,000) across countries and time in an exponential
growth regression model (r = 0.94, F = 567, P < 0.00001).
Within each country, correlations between greater linoleic acid
disappearance and homicide mortality over time were significant
in linear regression models. Randomized controlled trials are
needed to determine if reducing high intakes of linoleic acid by
seed oils with alternative compositions can reduce the risk of violent
behaviors. These dietary interventions merit exploration as
relatively cost-effective measures for reducing the pandemic of violence
in Western societies, just as dietary interventions are reducing
cardiovascular mortality. Low linoleate diets may prevent
behavioral maladies that correctional institutions, social service
programs, and mental health providers intend to treat.
http://www.freewebs.com/fryoung/LA_Homicide_rates_Hibbeln_2004.pdf
Jesus.
that increasing dietary intakes of long chain n-3 FA or reducing
linoleic acid intake may reduce aggressive and violent behaviors.
Here we examine if economic measures of greater n-6 consumption
across time and countries correlate with greater risk of
homicide. Linoleic acid available for human consumption was
calculated from World Health Organization disappearance data
for 12 major seed oils in the food supply for the years 1961 to
2000 in Argentina, Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and
the United States (US). Homicide mortality rates, adjusted for age,
were obtained from the central judicial authority of each country.
Apparent linoleic acid intake from seed oil sources ranged from
0.29 en% (percentage of daily food energy) (Australia 1962) to 8.3
en% (US 1990s). Greater apparent consumption of linoleic acid
correlated with higher rates of homicide mortality over a 20-fold
range (0.51–10.2/100,000) across countries and time in an exponential
growth regression model (r = 0.94, F = 567, P < 0.00001).
Within each country, correlations between greater linoleic acid
disappearance and homicide mortality over time were significant
in linear regression models. Randomized controlled trials are
needed to determine if reducing high intakes of linoleic acid by
seed oils with alternative compositions can reduce the risk of violent
behaviors. These dietary interventions merit exploration as
relatively cost-effective measures for reducing the pandemic of violence
in Western societies, just as dietary interventions are reducing
cardiovascular mortality. Low linoleate diets may prevent
behavioral maladies that correctional institutions, social service
programs, and mental health providers intend to treat.
http://www.freewebs.com/fryoung/LA_Homicide_rates_Hibbeln_2004.pdf
Jesus.