Uncovering the World of Dietary Supplements and Performance-Enhancing Substances in the Military.

This article highlights key topic areas related to dietary supplements (DSs) and performance-enhancing substances. It also discusses evidence-based resources the medical community can use when discussing high-quality DSs with Servicemembers interested in taking DSs. We briefly overview how DSs are regulated in the United States, discuss problematic categories and issues related to quality, expand upon what are often considered performance-enhancing substances yet sometimes sold as DSs, and then offer solutions to counter the consequences of the dark side of the DS industry.

The human plasma lipidome response to exertional heat tolerance testing.

Background: The year of 2023 displayed the highest average global temperatures since it has been recorded-the duration and severity of extreme heat are projected to increase. Rising global temperatures represent a major public health threat, especially to occupations exposed to hot environments, such as construction and agricultural workers, and first responders. Despite efforts of the scientific community, there is still a need to characterize the pathophysiological processes leading to heat related illness and develop biomarkers that can predict its onset.

Maintaining mitochondrial NAD homeostasis is key for heat-induced skeletal muscle injury prevention despite presence of intracellular cation alterations.

Mitochondrial dysfunction is implicated in heat-induced skeletal muscle (SKM) injury and its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Evidence suggests that cellular ions and molecules, including divalent cations and adenine nucleotides, are involved in the regulation of mitochondrial function. In this study, we examined Ca, Mg, and NAD levels in mouse C2C12 myoblasts and SKM in response to heat exposure.

The impact of heat stress on the human plasma lipidome.

The year of 2023 displayed the highest average global temperatures since it has been recorded-the duration and severity of extreme heat are projected to increase. Rising global temperatures represent a major public health threat, especially to occupations exposed to hot environments, such as construction and agricultural workers, and first responders. Despite efforts of the scientific community, there is still a need to characterize the pathophysiological processes leading to heat related illness and develop biomarkers that can predict its onset.

US Navy Sailors Modify Their Eating Behaviors to Pass Cyclic Physical Readiness Tests.

Objective: Investigate the influence of physical readiness tests (PRTs) on eating behaviors among US Navy Sailors.

Design: Focused ethnography using interviews and military policies.

Setting: Three US Naval installations.

Label Accuracy of Weight Loss Dietary Supplements Marketed Online With Military Discounts.

Importance: Dietary supplements for weight loss, among the most popular supplement products on the market, are promoted not only for losing weight and shedding fat, but also for added benefits of energy and performance, all packed into 1 capsule with multiple combinations of ingredients. Fraudulent marketing of weight loss supplements, some with exaggerated claims, some that are potentially dangerous, and some that contain illegal ingredients, is ever present, especially through online sources, where multiple manufacturers target service members by offering military discounts.

Objectives: To examine whether select dietary supplements marketed online for weight loss from companies advertising military discounts are accurately labeled according to the Supplement Facts listed ingredients, whether they contain any ingredients prohibited for use in the military, and to qualitatively describe the products' label claims.

Heat Tolerance Testing and the Return to Duty Decision: A Two-Year Case Cohort Analysis.

Background: Among individuals with prior exertional heat illness (EHI), heat tolerance testing (HTT) may inform risk and return to duty/activity. However, little is known about HTT's predictive validity, particularly for EHI recurrence. Our project sought to demonstrate the predictive validity of HTT in EHI recurrence and HTT's utility as a diagnostic tool in exertional heat stroke (EHS).

Leading indicators of readiness among the general Army and Special Operations Forces: Predictive and psychometric analysis of the Global Assessment Tool.

Self-assessments are commonly used to track Army readiness in specialized communities, but they are rarely analyzed for reliability and predictive validity. Before introducing new assessments, existing ones should be reevaluated. We examined the Global Assessment Tool (GAT), an annual Army-required self-assessment with multiple psychosocial and health behavior short scales.

Bridging Total Force Fitness and Whole Health in Cardiovascular Disease Prevention.

Introduction: The Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) Prevention project is a VA-DoD initiative, supported by the Joint Incentive Fund. The goal of the project is to create an innovative, 3D virtual space within the VA-Virtual Medical Center (VA-VMC) platform that provides Veterans and Active Duty Service Members with educational resources on the prevention of CVD.

Materials And Methods: The Performance Health and Wellness Center is a new center within the VA-VMC.

Total Force Fitness Summit 2021: Maximizing the Health and Well-being of Service Members and Their Families.

Total Force Fitness (TFF) is a multidomain, holistic framework that provides the Department of Defense (DoD) with the capability to assess, promote, and sustain human performance optimization across the full spectrum of components key to meeting mission requirements. On September 14 and 15, 2021, in Bethesda, MD, The Consortium for Health and Military Performance convened a second TFF Summit with the goal of promoting the mission of optimizing the health and well-being of our service members across their careers. Participants included scientists, clinicians, educators, public health professionals, and military leaders from all the services.

Total Force Fitness: Making Holistic, Integrated Whole-Person Research a DoD Priority.

Total Force Fitness (TFF) was conceived as a holistic framework for building and sustaining Human Performance Optimization for Warfighters and their families. As such, TFF research must also be holistic in nature. During the research breakout, group barriers and challenges to TFF research were discussed, and critical research focus areas were prioritized.

The combined effects of coping and pain interference on army readiness.

Introduction: Chronic pain and associated interference with daily activities are common in the military and impact Force readiness. Chronic pain affects one-third of service members and is a leading cause of medical non-readiness (MNR) in the military. Research suggests that underlying psychological mechanisms related to trait coping styles and pain interference (PI) affect functional outcomes, but little research exists examining this relationship within an Army population.

Challenges in Reporting Adverse Events from Dietary Supplements.

In 2008, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) Committee on Dietary Supplement Use by Military Personnel recommended the development of service wide military policies (e.g., education or regulations) to guide commanders in management practices for safe use of dietary supplements (DS).

Introduction to Women in Combat.

This is an introduction to the second Women in Combat Supplement and provides an editorial on the topic.

Omega-3 Index improves after increased intake of foods with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids among US service academy cadets.

The inclusion of omega-3 fatty acids in our dietary intake is important for performance and recovery and may reduce the risk of various health issues. Studies have shown the omega-3 fatty acid status of US service members is low. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether offering fish and omega-3-enhanced foods would increase the Omega-3 Index (O3I).

Mitochondrial Fission as a Therapeutic Target for Metabolic Diseases: Insights into Antioxidant Strategies.

Mitochondrial fission is a crucial process in maintaining metabolic homeostasis in normal physiology and under conditions of stress. Its dysregulation has been associated with several metabolic diseases, including, but not limited to, obesity, type 2 diabetes (T2DM), and cardiovascular diseases. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) serve a vital role in the genesis of these conditions, and mitochondria are both the main sites of ROS production and the primary targets of ROS.

Total Force Kitchen: Exploring Active-Duty Service Member Performance Optimization Through Cooking.

Obesity, overweight, and suboptimal eating habits are threats to U.S. active-duty service member (SM) nutritional fitness.

Go for Green® Nutrition Program: Translating Evidence Into Practice.

Introduction: Go for Green® (G4G) is an evidence-based, multi-component nutrition program for military dining facilities (DFAC) to improve nutritional fitness among Service Members. The program evolved from supporting "fueling" during initial Army training into a robust intervention across all U.S.

Exploring Influences of Eating Behaviors Among Emerging Adults in the Military.

Objective: Identify factors influencing eating behaviors among emerging adults in the military.

Design: Focused ethnography using interviews, observations, and artifacts for data.

Setting: Three US Naval installations.