A Threat to Military Combat Power: Dietary Supplements.

Background: The use of dietary supplements by young warfighters is pervasive and comes with a readiness cost, especially in the deployed setting. Predatory targeting and marketing by various unscrupulous companies put this population at risk for a higher than baseline risk for adverse events.

Methods: We report on 6 serious adverse events experienced by warfighters while deployed in Kuwait and Afghanistan. Presented is a discussion of current practice gaps and solutions, as well as details regarding how polypharmacy contributes to the seriousness of the threat posed by problematic supplements.

Results: The morbidity associated with the 6 cases of dietary supplement adverse events compromised mission readiness and was costly in terms of health and health care expenditures.

Conclusion: The military dietary supplement issue needs exposure, review, and action at the highest levels of government.