Abstract
Nine children with persistent anti-social, disruptive and/or criminal behaviours were assessed and treated for food intolerance and allergy. All were found to have a number of food allergies or intolerances and mineral imbalances, particularly in zinc. Three showed marginally raised cadmium while one had considerably raised cadmium. The children remained at home in the care of their parents while undergoing a restrictive dietary regime with the avoidance of identified problem foods. The health and behaviour of all nine subjects improved both physically and psychologically. However, three children abandoned the dietary regime, two of whom re-offended and were placed in care while the third moved home and accepted enzyme-potentiated desensitization (EPD) treatment. He and the other six continued to improve in health, behaviour and school performance over 6 months. In the following 18 months, two more re-offended but with much reduced frequency and violence than before the project. After 2 years, five of the nine had not re-offended. The feasibility of applying nutritional and biochemical assessment and treatment in the community to divert young offenders and disruptive schoolchildren from criminal behaviour was demonstrated. Criminal justice, education and health agencies could incorporate and develop this approach in furtherance of their statutory objectives.