As a military member, you must be always be physically fit in order to successfully accomplish the mission. Taking proper care of your body and fueling it with the proper supplements for your day-to-day life and workouts can help you be better prepared for the mission. A meta-analysis found that between 55% and 71% of military members were using some type of dietary supplement [1].
So, which are the best? Below are some of the best supplements for military members.
Pump Up Your Muscles With Protein
Protein is necessary for growth and development within our bodies as well as helping our muscles stay healthy. It is also helpful in keeping you feeling full longer, to help get you through the service day without crashing or having brain fog. Service members are always on the go whether it be in the gym, office, or in the field. Protein powder is a great supplement to incorporate into your diet, especially for those on the go constantly. Protein bars are also a great alternative to throw in your sack whether you’re out in the field, on a ruck, or still hungry after eating a fettuccini alfredo MRE – sometimes it’s just not enough!
Rehydrate Your Body With Electrolytes
Electrolytes are minerals found within your body that conduct electrical charges and balance the amount of fluid inside and outside of your cells. They have multiple other jobs like helping your muscles contract and keeping you hydrated! Excessive sweating can cause you to lose these essential minerals which is why it is important to stay hydrated during exercise and incorporate sports drinks into intense workout days. There are also electrolyte powders that you can add to your water for on-the-go hydration
READ MORE: What To Drink After Workout For Electrolytes
Boost Recovery With Amino Acids
Amino Acids are an essential part of your body’s recovery process. Strenuous activity is a given when you’re in the military. You need to recover so your body ready for whatever tomorrow brings. Amino acids can help support the recovery process. Branch chain amino acids (BCAAs) have been shown in multiple studies to help aid muscle recovery and promote muscle protein synthesis. BCAAs are special because they are not found within our bodies and must be acquired from your diet.
The Jack Of All Trades: Creatine
Creatine is popular amongst service members and athletes alike. It is a form of amino acid that is found within our body. Most people get their creatine through diet or creatine supplements. Creatine has many applications but is most often used to provide muscle fuel for physical training, accelerating muscle growth and improve strength and power output with resistance training. It may also aid in muscle recovery.
READ MORE: Benefits Of Creatine
Support Your Immune System With Vitamin C
Long nights, early mornings and being pushed beyond your physical limits are all factors to think about when in the military. The military lifestyle will wear you down, which is why it is important to take charge on your immune health. Multiple studies have concluded that Vitamin C is necessary for immune function, which may be beneficial for military members. Since Vitamin C isn’t made within our bodies, it is important to make sure we are getting adequate amounts from our diets or supplementation.
Cover Your Bases With Multivitamins
As a service member, you are changing geographical locations often and may not always have a wide array of food at your disposal. Vitamins and minerals help to keep our body functioning at an optimal level. But some of these nutrients are not made within the body, so we need to rely on our diet to make sure we’re getting enough! A multivitamin is a great way to make sure that you are getting all the nutrients your body needs to function properly.
Banned Substances
When choosing supplements, always check with your chain of command or sports dietitian as there are many banned substances for military members. Look at labels, seek those that have been tested for banned substances, and refer to the most updated list of ingredients to avoid as things often change!
Supplements are a great way to help you reach your goals, aid in recovery, and fill in the gaps where you may be insufficient. Being mission ready is essential and what better way to take the reins on your health than creating a proper mission ready routine.
References
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4023532/
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5707683/#:~:text=Thus%2C%20it%20is%20apparent%20that,enhancing%20various%20immune%20cell%20function
