The Effect of Nutritional Supplements in Improving the Physical Performance of Military Forces: Narrative Review

Due to their active and stressful life, military personnel needs special nutrition. Nutritional supplements are meant to complement a healthy diet that includes vitamins, minerals, medicinal plants, amino acids, enzymes, and macronutrients. The depletion of muscle and liver glycogen reserves leads to a decrease in concentration, fatigue, and a decrease in physical and mental performance. Moderate to vigorous physical activity, one to three hours per day, requires 6 to 10 grams of carbohydrates per kilogram of body weight. It has been shown that the consumption of fat, including a high dose of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and omega-3, is effective in testosterone production, an issue that can be important for active people such as military forces due to the anabolic effects of testosterone. In people with vigorous physical activity, it is recommended to receive 1.4 to 2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight, which is higher than in general people. Also, branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) compete with tryptophan in crossing the blood-brain barrier, delaying the feeling of fatigue. Excessive amounts of antioxidants in the form of supplements in people with vigorous physical activity disrupt the adaptation to physical activity and are not recommended. Vitamin D, iron, and zinc are involved in many natural functions of the body, and due to the special conditions of the military forces, there is a possibility of a lack of these nutrients in these people. This deficiency can endanger a person's physical performance and even health. Therefore, special attention should be paid to their adequate intake in the diet. Caffeine, nitrate, and creatine are among the substances that are effective in delaying the feeling of fatigue and have attracted the attention of people with vigorous physical activity. These nutrients can help military personnel during operations and increase their efficiency. In general, getting enough nutrients is very important for military personnel. Due to the special conditions during military operations, it is not possible to receive meals that can provide all the necessary nutrients. On the other hand, due to vigorous physical activities, the rate of metabolism, as well as the loss of nutrients in these people, is more than in general people, which increases the amount of need. Therefore, in order for the military forces to be able to have their maximum efficiency and also to prevent injuries and diseases that can have great costs and consequences for a country, the use of nutritional supplements to improve the nutritional status of these people can be considered.