Food Components to Enhance Performance An Evaluation of Potential Performance-Enhancing Food Components for Operational Rations (1994) / Chapter Skim
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2. Conclusions and Recommendations
2. Conclusions and Recommendations
Pages 47-62
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From page 47... ...
National Academy Press Conclusions and Recommendations CONCLUSIONS As stated in Chapter 1, the Committee on Military Nutrition Research (CMNR) was asked to respond to six specific questions dealing with the potential for food components to enhance performance for military personnel in combat settings.
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others are likely to be at levels of intake that may be considered pharmacological. These components may be provided in operational ration items designed to be used at specific times and provide short-term enhancement through increased vigilance, reduced feeling of fatigue, improved mental state, etc.
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From page 49... ...
Studies with soldiers in military activities are less clear but likely relate to the more intermittent nature of the physical activity, in comparison with the extended moderate-to high-level physical activities of athletic competition. The value of carbohydrate supplementation in extending physical performance is usually demonstrated after 60-90 minutes of continuous activity at 60 to 70 percent of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 maX)
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The amino acid tyrosine is the precursor of the neurotransmitters dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine. Under highly stressful conditions, the availability of tyrosine may be rate limiting for the synthesis of these neurotransmitter products.
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Carefully controlled laboratory studies with human subjects may suggest field studies to evaluate cognitive performance enhancement in stressful field situations. With the diversity of functions of choline in the body, there is ample reason for interest in reviewing its possible value in maintaining or enhancing performance of the soldier.
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From page 52... ...
Research to date has not supported the hypothesis that the supplements of structured lipids will spare glycogen utilization during exercise, which is more closely related to the objective of enhancing physical or mental performance during military operations. In the absence of new data that demonstrate potential in this area, the inclusion of structured lipids in rations or food components for improving performance is not recommended.
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From page 53... ...
Emphasis should be given to making sure that troops are adequately hydrated and fed prior to military operations. There is little evidence from current nutrition research to suggest that soldiers already consuming nutritionally adequate rations as specified in the Military Recommended Dietary Allowances (MRDAs)
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Adequate food intake to meet caloric needs also will help maintain high levels of performance. Under conditions of extended moderate physical activity, carbohydrate supplementation to maintain muscle glycogen levels can extend the ability to perform at this activity level.
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It would seem critical for the military to follow the same requirements that the FDA would require for general use of a component in the civilian population. Therefore in considering the components other than caffeine and carbohydrates that have been discussed as agents capable of enhancing performance, it is important to recognize that none of these materials has been demonstrated to be "safe," notwithstanding the fact that all of these agents exist in natural foods at levels required for potential effects.
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It is recommended that future research with this compound explore and attempt to categorize individual differences in responses to caffeine as well as the issue of expectancy and placebo effects. Recommendations Regarding Food Components Proposed by the Army On the basis of the papers presented by the invited speakers, discussion at the workshop, and subsequent committee deliberations, the Committee on Military Nutrition Research recommends the following: 1.
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Choline. On the basis of its diverse functions in the body, both in physical performance and in cognitive function, and limited studies demonstrating potentially improved performance in extended physical activity, in cognitive function in animals and humans, and its relative safety, the committee believes that choline should be evaluated for its performance enhancement potential.
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Research has demonstrated that tyrosine may be rate limiting for the synthesis of neurotransmitter products under highly stressful conditions. Animal studies and limited human studies have demonstrated that tyrosine may have beneficial effects in overcoming the adverse effects of acute stressors.
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Carbohydrate supplements. Since carbohydrate supplements have been shown to enhance performance in athletes performing at moderate to heavy levels of physical activity for extended periods of time, it is desirable to evaluate various military operational scenarios to determine whether and when a carbohydrate supplement would be advantageous.
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Prostaglandin blockade with such drugs could not only reduce symptoms to improve performance but could also have the ancillary nutritional benefits of improving appetite and reducing the hypermetabolic loss of body nutrients and muscle protein known to be associated with prostaglandin release. AREAS FOR FUTURE RESEARCH The Committee on Military Nutrition Research recognizes the potential value for perfonnance enhancement in combat settings and suggests a number of areas for future research within the military.
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Amino acid, neurotransmitter, and metabolite levels need to be measured in specific brain nuclei, and many other animal studies are needed including gross and microscopic pathologies in both short-and long-term experiments. Possibly this could be accomplished through the Army funded neuroscience research at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in support of the human studies at USARIEM.
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