A vitamin pill can improve the behaviour of unruly teenagers, a study claims.
Schoolchildren given a supplement containing a mix of vitamins, minerals and omega-3 for 12 weeks were better behaved at school, researchers found.
Experts say the findings add to a body of evidence showing deficiencies in young people's diets can contribute towards poor brain health and antisocial behaviour.
Omega-3 is known to be vital for healthy brain function, and past studies have shown it can improve discipline and reduce the symptoms of ADHD.
Badly-behaved: A a vitamin, mineral and omega-3 supplement can improve the behaviour of unruly teenagers, a study has found (file photo)
One trial, published in the Journal of Attention Disorders, found a combination of omega-3 and omega-6 could be almost as effective as the drug Ritalin at controlling ADHD symptoms in teenagers.
Omega-3 is found in oily fish such as mackerel, salmon and sardines and - but experts worry children who eat a diet high in sugar and fat may be deficient.
Professor John Stein, of the University of Oxford, who led the new research, said improving students' diets with supplements in turn improves their behaviour.
He said: 'Nutrient deficiencies have been implicated in antisocial behaviour, hence correcting them may improve sociable behaviour.
'When assessed using validated and standardised tests, supplements may protect against worsening behaviour.'
As part of the study, 196 healthy children aged 13 to 16 were recruited from Robert Clack, a mixed comprehensive school in Dagenham, east London.
They were split into two groups - one was given a 'WellTeen' supplement while the other was given a placebo.
Researchers took blood samples from the pupils to measure the change in vitamin, mineral and omega-3 levels during the study.
Brain function: Experts said the research adds to the growing body of evidence that nutrition can impact the brain health and behaviour of children
These were found to be low at the start of the study but were significantly raised in the group receiving the nutrient supplements over the 12 weeks.
The children's behaviour was measured using the Conner’s scale, a validated measure of discipline and emotional problems.
Using this scale, the team found the behaviour of students receiving the supplements improved, while the behaviour of the pupils receiving the placebo worsened.
When they looked at the children's school records, they found that throughout the school term the number of disciplinary infringements increased for both groups.
But classroom outbursts in especially badly behaved children fell by up to half for those taking the tablets - suggesting omega-3 can protect against antisocial conduct.
Dr Jonathan Tammam, principal researcher on the study, said: 'Our research adds to the growing body of evidence that nutrition can impact the cognitive health and behaviour of children.
'These findings have implications for public health policy and the aim of understanding how improvements in dietary intake can benefit the health and lives of individuals and society.'
The findings were published in the British Journal of Nutrition.
The WellTeen supplement is manufactured by Vitabiotics.
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