Chris Shugart
The Anti A-Hole Diet
Adults and kids missing this in their diets are obnoxious twits. Let's fix that.
In the 14th century, people had trouble describing a special type of person with undesirable character traits. They just didn't have a word for folks who were...
- Rude and selfish
- Inconsiderate and disrespectful
- Arrogant and egocentric
- Abrasive and cruel
You know, that obnoxious brand of human being who makes life harder for others and doesn't give a damn. So, our ancestors came up with a word. They combined the Old English words ærs (buttocks) and hol (an opening). Do I need to spell it out for you? I didn't think so.
But what causes a person to be that way? Probably a combination of nature and nurture. But now science has found something else: omega-3 deficiency.
Brain Food. Literally.
We know that omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and especially DHA) play big roles in our brains. For example, deficiencies are linked to depression, anxiety, and even ADHD. It makes sense. DHA is the main building block of brain matter.
DHA makes up a hefty chunk of your brain's fat content – about 10-20% of the total fatty acids. Gray matter, where a lot of the thinking happens, is rich in it. DHA isn't the structure itself; it's more like a critical component woven into the membranes of neurons. It keeps those membranes flexible and fluid, which helps with signaling. DHA is like the "social lubricant" of your brain – it's key for cells to talk to each other. And your brain can't make it. You have to get it from your diet.
Omega-3s and A-hole Kids
In a new study, researchers gathered data from over 15,000 kids ages 7 and 9. They were looking for a link between fish consumption (omega-3s) and pro- or anti-social behavior.
Prosocial behavior includes things like helping others, sharing, being considerate and empathetic, and getting along in groups. A prosocial person makes you feel good after being around them. In other words, prosocial people aren't a-holes.
The researchers discovered that kids who ate no seafood at age 7 had a 35% higher risk of being little a-holes (anti-social). If they still weren't eating fish by age 9, that figure jumped to 43%. Their recommendation? Make sure your kids are getting a couple of servings of seafood weekly.
Omega-3s and Violent A-holes
In related research, neurocriminologist Adrian Raine conducted several studies and a meta-analysis to see whether omega-3 supplementation decreased violent tendencies. In short, yes, by about 30%.
She notes that deficiencies in brain function can lead to aggressive and violent behavior, and nutrition plays a role, possibly because diet affects prefrontal functioning. Raine suggests that parents of overly aggressive kids feed them more fish, and she even implies that the criminal justice system should take note of fish oil's violence-reducing effects. (Read: We should provide fish oil to the a-holes in prison.)
What Can We Learn?
Studies show that having a prosocial personality leads to greater happiness and life satisfaction, better marriages, and more career success. If you want that for your kids, feed them fish or slip them an omega-3 supplement. But there's hope for a-hole adults, too.
Anti-social behavior and several mental health conditions are strongly linked to omega-3 deficiency. It's not just about giving your brain the lubricant it needs to function optimally, but also about squashing brain inflammation, which is rampant in today's world.
Adults need 4200 mg of fish oil in triglyceride form for a pharmaceutical effect. Ideally, use a DHA-enhanced formula containing caprylocaproyl polyoxyl-8 glyceride (Labrasol), which makes it more bioavailable. That's three softgels a day of Flameout DHA-Rich Fish Oil (Buy at Amazon).
Reference
- Nel, L., Emmett, P.M., Golding, J. et al. Seafood intake in children at age 7 years and neurodevelopmental outcomes in an observational cohort study (ALSPAC). Eur J Nutr 64, 120 (2025).
