Optimizing Performance, Health, and Well-being: Nutritional Factors

Nutrition is essential for maintaining peak health and performance of Warfighters. This review will focus on a series of nutrients of concern for female Warfighters. Biological function, dietary sources, and requirements will be reviewed, and recommendations for women in combat roles will be provided. Iron, essential for physical and cognitive performance, is critical for female Warfighters because of elevated dietary requirements as compared to male Warfighters, as well as declines in iron status that may occur in response to physical activities, such as military training. Calcium and vitamin D are essential for bone health, and should be considered in efforts to prevent stress fractures, which occur with greater frequency in female Warfighters as compared to their male counterparts. Folate, essential for the prevention of neural tube defects during pregnancy and gestation, is critical for female Warfighters because of elevated dietary requirements before pregnancy. Providing optimal levels of these nutrients will facilitate readiness as women prepare to serve in combat roles.