As the violence increases in our society and the tension increases in our homes, could it be related to what we do eat and what we do not eat? Prison officials are beginning to think so. Prison researchers around the world are seeing a strong relationship between diet and violence behind bars.

A study by the National Justice, a British charity, published by the British Journal of Psychiatryin 2002, gave half of 231 volunteer prisoners extra nutrients, vitamins and omega 3 oils for nine months in a double blind study and watched for violent outbursts. The results were more defined than one would expect, the prisoners given the extra nutrients committed 26.3% fewer offenses and 37% fewer violent offenses than those who took the placebo.

Another study in the Netherlands showed a 50% drop in disciplinary offenses. Steven Schoenthaler at California State Staninslaus has studied nutrients' influence on inmates for twenty years. He found that in particular, among young offenders, there was a 38% drop in serious behavioral offenses. In a study he conducted in California, New York, Oklahoma, Virginia and Florida prisons, he found that a prisoner's eating habits could be used to predict future violent behavior and stated that he wonders if these kids had been given proper nutrition all their lives, would they ever have been in prison at all?

Many prison officials are watching for results from a full scale experiment on this same subject being conducted in 2008 overseas.

What does this mean to us? Could the violent outbursts occurring in our schools be avoided or reduced if we encourage and offer health tips to children and their families?

At a personal level, I know that my home is a more peaceful place since we have stopped eating most processed, color dyed and instant foods and have increased our intake of omega 3 oils, whole grains and pesticide free food. As my son has reminded me, not only are my children easier to get along with, I am, too!

What could our world be like if we all ate more whole grains, omega 3 oils (walnuts, avocados, fish and flax seed) and chemical free food? The question is worth a little home based experiment, isn't it?

By Kathy Loidolt, Author of Shopper's Guide to Healthy Living, available on Amazon.com