mission nutrition for combat effectiveness
DESCRIPTION
Mission Nutrition for Combat Effectiveness. Overview. Nutritional Readiness Before Missions Sustained Night Operations Nutritional Readiness During Missions Missions in the Heat Missions in the Cold Missions at Altitude Missions in Water and at Depth Mission Scenarios. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Deuster/Kemmer/Tubbs/Zeno
Mission Nutrition for Combat Effectiveness
Deuster/Kemmer/Tubbs/Zeno
Overview
• Nutritional Readiness Before Missions• Sustained Night Operations• Nutritional Readiness During Missions• Missions in the Heat• Missions in the Cold• Missions at Altitude• Missions in Water and at Depth• Mission Scenarios
Deuster/Kemmer/Tubbs/Zeno
Nutritional Readiness Before
Missions
• Maximize glycogen stores– Low glycogen stores = fatigue– Eat 2 - 4g of CHO/pound weight 3 - 4 hrs before
an operation– Consume at least 400 g CHO/day– Minimize fat intake
• Be well-hydrated
Deuster/Kemmer/Tubbs/Zeno
Sustained Night Operations
• Sustained Operations (SUSOPS)– Work periods of ≥ 12 hours– Expect physical and mental fatigue, sleep loss
• Continuous Operations (CONOPS)– Expect periods of uninterrupted activity followed
by some sleep
• Missions include SUSOPS and CONOPS– Expect fatigue and sleep deprivation
Deuster/Kemmer/Tubbs/Zeno
Sustained Night Operations
• Nutritional Concerns CHO intake– Maintain hydration status– Monitor caffeine intake
Deuster/Kemmer/Tubbs/Zeno
Energy Intake and SUSOPS
• 50–70% of energy from CHO• 10-20% of energy from protein• 20-35% of energy from fat• Consume high CHO snacks and/or
CHO-containing fluid replacement beverages– To maintain blood glucose and delay fatigue
Deuster/Kemmer/Tubbs/Zeno
Tryptophan and SUSOPS
Avoid foods high in the amino acid tryptophan, which promotes sleep
Foods High in TryptophanDairy products and eggs Soy products
Seafood Whole grains
Poultry Rice
Meats Hazelnuts, Peanuts
Beans and LentilsSesame and
sunflower seeds
Deuster/Kemmer/Tubbs/Zeno
Hydration and SUSOPS
• Adequate intake of water is ~3.7 L (almost a gallon)/day
• Beverages consumed should be ≤ 8% CHO (< 19g/8oz or 80 grams/L)
• SOF operators need a lot of water
Deuster/Kemmer/Tubbs/Zeno
Caffeine and SUSOPS
• Increases alertness and may delay fatigue• Common dose effective for maintaining
performance and vigilance is 200 mg• “Stay Alert” gum in the Military contains 100
mg per chicklet– Current recommendation: 2 chicklets every 2 hrs– Effects of caffeine wears off within 6 hrs
• Factors causing variability in effective dose– Habitual caffeine intake– Sensitivity to caffeine
Deuster/Kemmer/Tubbs/Zeno
Nutritional-Related Issues During
Missions
• Inadequate ration consumption
• Inadequate energy intake
• Dehydration• Gastrointestinal
complaints
Deuster/Kemmer/Tubbs/Zeno
Rations and Mission Readiness
• Inadequate ration and energy intake– Causes
• Monotony• Lack of time
– Results• Weight loss• Fatigue
– Prevention• Consume as much of each part of) the ration as
possible to maximize nutrient intake for performance
Deuster/Kemmer/Tubbs/Zeno
Dehydration and Mission Readiness
• Causes– Occurs in any condition/environment if sweat
and urine losses are not replaced by fluids
• Consequences– Decreased appetite – Lethargy
• Prevention– Drink about 4L of fluid per day– Drink more when environment is hot
Deuster/Kemmer/Tubbs/Zeno
Gastrointestinal Complaints During
Missions• Causes
– Stress/Changes in diet– Dehydration– Too much fiber– Poor sanitary conditions– Contaminated food– Unfamiliar bacteria
• Prevention– Stay hydrated at all times– Avoid non-issue foods whenever possible
Deuster/Kemmer/Tubbs/Zeno
Missions in the Heat
• Maintain fluid and electrolyte balance by:– Knowing temperature and humidity– Adjusting work rate– Being acclimated– Being aware of rate and volume of fluid intake– Monitoring urine color
• Energy intake by 10% when working and living in 86 to 104 °F (30-40°C), unless activity level decreases accordingly
Deuster/Kemmer/Tubbs/Zeno
Hydration and Missions in the
Heat
• Dark yellow (7 - 9) and smelly urine suggest dehydration– B vitamins may cause urine to be bright (not
pale) yellow, regardless of hydration status
fluid consumption until urine becomes pale yellow (1 - 3)
Deuster/Kemmer/Tubbs/Zeno
Electrolytes and Missions
in the Heat
• Excessive loss of electrolytes through sweat may result in: – Muscle cramps– Severe medical problems
• Preventive measures during and after missions:– Eat snacks with sodium and potassium– Consume fluids with electrolytes– Consider electrolytes in SportStrips and gels– Eat foods naturally high in sodium (salt) and
potassium (dried foods)
Deuster/Kemmer/Tubbs/Zeno
Missions in the Cold
• In cold environments, blood vessels tighten to conserve heat and shivering is initiated to generate heat resulting in:– Increased urine output– Increased energy metabolism
• Nutritional considerations– Energy intake– Glycogen stores– Fluid status– Vitamin and mineral needs
Deuster/Kemmer/Tubbs/Zeno
Energy Intake and Missions in
the Cold
• Energy requirements can increase 25-50% during cold weather operations as compared to warm weather operations
• Factors that increase caloric intake:– Added exertion due to wearing heavy gear– Shivering– Traveling over snow and icy terrain– Increased activity to keep warm
Deuster/Kemmer/Tubbs/Zeno
Energy Intake and Missions in
the Cold
• Fat and CHO are critical energy sources!– 50-60% of energy from CHO– 30-35% of energy from fat– 10-20% of energy from protein
• High protein diets are not advised– Increase fluid requirements
• Ingest foods that produce heat– CHO produces more heat than fat or protein– Hot beverages increase body temperature
Deuster/Kemmer/Tubbs/Zeno
CHO and Missionsin the Cold
• Glycogen stores– A minimum of 400
grams of CHO per day is necessary in cold weather
Deuster/Kemmer/Tubbs/Zeno
Fluids and Missionsin the Cold
• Dehydration common in cold weather: urine output fluid loss through breathing– Involuntary reduction in fluid intake– Sweating
• Hence, drink plenty of water
Deuster/Kemmer/Tubbs/Zeno
Vitamins and Minerals and Missions
in the Cold
• Higher requirements for some vitamins and minerals due to: energy metabolism (e.g. thiamin) urinary loses (magnesium, zinc)
• Prevention– Eat all ration components
Deuster/Kemmer/Tubbs/Zeno
Missions at Altitude
• Major nutritional concerns– Weight loss– CHO intake– Dehydration– Oxidative Stress
Deuster/Kemmer/Tubbs/Zeno
Weight Loss and Missions at
Altitude
• Altitudes < 5,000m: weight loss can be prevented by eating on a regular basis
• Altitudes > 5,000m: a 5-10% weight loss is unavoidable, but intake critical
• Energy requirements may increase 15-50% above requirements at sea level
• Energy intake should range from 3,500-6,000 kcal per day (i.e. at least 4 MREs or 2 First Strike Rations per day)
Deuster/Kemmer/Tubbs/Zeno
Weight Loss and Missions
at Altitude
energy needs to 115-150% of sea level sense of taste, which food intake• Changes in metabolism of fat and CHO
• Loss of body water from breathing and dry air
• Impaired absorption of nutrients• Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)
– Nausea, vomiting, headache, and appetite
Deuster/Kemmer/Tubbs/Zeno
CHO Needs and Missions
at Altitude
• Repletes glycogen stores• Requires less oxygen than fat to yield energy • Is most efficient energy source• Can blunt/delay progression/severity of AMS• Maintains blood glucose
CHO must contribute to 50-70% of total energy or at least 400g of CHO per day
Deuster/Kemmer/Tubbs/Zeno
Dehydration and Missions
at Altitude
respiratory losses due to ventilation urine output due to altitude and cold
temperature• Possible diarrheal fluid losses• Failure to drink water• Poor access to water
Maintain a drinking schedule and monitor hydration status daily to avoid AMS
Deuster/Kemmer/Tubbs/Zeno
Oxidative Stress and Missions
at Altitude
formation of reactive oxidative species metabolic rate– Hypoxic conditions
• Preventive measures– Vitamin E (400 IU/day) – A combination of 500mg of Vitamin C, 200 IU of
Vitamin E, and 300 mg of alpha-lipoic acid in the morning and evening may be effective
• Excessive use of antioxidants may be harmful!
Deuster/Kemmer/Tubbs/Zeno
Missions in Water and at Depth
• Energy intake• Fluid intake• Mineral balance• Antioxidant balance
Deuster/Kemmer/Tubbs/Zeno
Energy and Missions in Water
and at Depth
• Increased energy expenditure due to:– Greater resistance offered by water efficiency of movements when thermal
protective clothing is worn
• Preventive measures CHO intake before an anticipated dive– Ingest CHO beverage or sports bar
Deuster/Kemmer/Tubbs/Zeno
Hydration and Missions in Water and
at Depth
• Fluid losses– Immersion in water
urinary excretion 2-10x above normal
• Preventive measures– Drink fluids before and after
diving;– Consume beverages should
with CHO when dives are longer than 2 hr
Deuster/Kemmer/Tubbs/Zeno
Missions in Water and at Depth
• Mineral balance urinary losses of Mg, Ca, Zn, and Cr– Preventive measures:
• Consume foods containing these minerals
• Antioxidant losses– Diving formation of reactive oxygen species depth = O2 tension– Preventive measures
• Take 1g of vitamin C and 400 IU of vitamin E 2 hrs before extended dives
• Consume a diet high in natural antioxidants
Deuster/Kemmer/Tubbs/Zeno
Mission Scenarios
• Performance can be sustained for weeks if:– Energy intake > 2000kcal/day– CHO intake ≥ 300 g– Protein intake ≥ 60 g– Fluid status is maintained
• Sample nutritional plans in SOF manual– Typical training day– SDV Operations– Unconventional Warfare– Special Reconnaissance– Nighttime Air Mission
Deuster/Kemmer/Tubbs/Zeno
Nutrition Requirements Planning Guide
Deuster/Kemmer/Tubbs/Zeno
For Monitoring Dehydration
Deuster/Kemmer/Tubbs/Zeno
Key Points
• Primary ways to be nutritionally prepared for all missions– Eat a high CHO diet– Be well hydrated– Eat CHO snacks every 2 to 3
hours to maintain blood glucose