Nutritional and sports supplement use among deployed U.S. Army soldiers in a remote, austere combat outpost in eastern Afghanistan

Abstract

Background: Nutritional and sports supplements are commonly used by soldiers, with uncertain implications for health and mission readiness.

Methods: An anonymous survey was conducted of a company of U.S. Army paratroopers deployed to eastern Afghanistan between December 2011 and October 2012. Survey questions covered supplements used, duration of use, adverse effects, and medication interactions. Exercise habits, goals for exercise and supplement use, and information and acquisition sources were also queried.

Results: Out of 112 surveys distributed, 100 completed surveys were returned. 77 respondents reported using at least one supplement during deployment. On average, 2.5 supplements were used per individual surveyed. Nine respondents reported adverse effects of supplement use. No respondents reported serious complications of supplement use, drug interactions, or seeking medical care for supplement adverse effects. The Internet was the most frequently reported source of information on supplement use. Most frequently, supplements were acquired by Internet mail order.

Conclusions and relevance: Supplement use occurs during deployment among paratroopers at a higher rate than reported in garrison, despite their remote and austere deployed location. These findings have profound implications for military health care providers and policy makers considering the health of deployed combat soldiers.