Nutritional and Ecological Approaches to the Reduction of Criminality, Delinquency and Violence

• NCJ Number: 89260
• Journal: Journal of Applied Nutrition Volume: 33 Issue: 2 Dated: (1981) Pages: 116-137
• Author(s): B Rimland; G E Larson
• Date Published: 1981
• Length: 22 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Based on a presentation by the senior author to the California Commission on the Prevention of Crime and Violence, San Diego, California, December 1980.

Annotation

Much crime, particularly violent crime, is caused by biological malfunction of the brain. Megavitamin therapy is one intervention that has proven useful in treating various behavioral disorders.

Abstract

This paper summarizes and reviews the research and clinical investigations of the past several decades on the relationships between antisocial behavior and the offender's biochemistry, as influenced by nutritional status and exposure to toxic substances in the environment. It discusses a number of demonstrated causes of brain malfunction in youth. Maternal smoking, poor nutrition, toxic metal and other chemical exposure, and food allergies are among the adverse factors considered. Several biological remedial interventions are proposed, including megavitamin therapy. This therapy has been used successfully in recent double blind studies, and medical opposition to it may be expected to diminish in the near future. A total of 110 references are appended. (Author abstract modified)