The Supplement for Warfighters: Unveiling the Role of Fish Oil

This substance plays a crucial role in preserving muscle mass and strength amidst prolonged physiological stress. Herein lies the scientific rationale.

The Double - edged Sword of Physiological Stress

Physiological stress is a complex phenomenon. In the acute phase, it serves as a preparatory mechanism for combat. The sympathetic nervous system is activated, much like a driver flooring the gas pedal. Heart rate escalates, adrenaline floods the system, the liver releases glucose for immediate energy, and additional blood flow is diverted to the muscles. The body is thus primed for either engaging in combat or making a rapid escape.

However, when physiological stress is protracted, it exhibits a "toxic" profile. It heightens the risk of cardiovascular diseases, compromises the immune system, and can lead to mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression. Moreover, it can result in the loss of strength and lean body mass.

Nowhere is this more evident than in the military. Military training subjects personnel to intense physiological stress, and their missions often involve life - and - death situations. Even the broader military environment is fraught with stressors, including deployments away from family, political intrigue, and the challenges of dealing with superiors.

While military training is intended to be arduous, aiming to separate the weak from the strong and prepare the latter for the rigors of battle, it should not leave soldiers physically depleted. Fortunately, the military acknowledges this issue and is actively researching countermeasures. This is where the findings regarding fish oil come into play.

Why Intense Training Weakens Warriors

Research Insights

• A particular study on Army Rangers revealed an unexpected outcome. The very training designed to transform them into elite warfighters had a contrary effect. Two weeks after completing training, Rangers experienced a 23% decline in upper - body strength and a 35% reduction in core strength.

• Another study, emulating an eight - day covert reconnaissance mission, found that stress, coupled with extended periods of immobility, led to a 10% reduction in maximal jump height, an 11% decrease in maximal strength, a 20% decline in the rate of force development, and a 5% loss of lean body mass (LBM). Post - hoc analysis indicated that the decrease in LBM and strength was associated with a 42% reduction in total mTOR, a protein kinase that regulates protein synthesis and cell growth.

The military is cognizant of this problem. Some forward - thinking individuals have even proposed the use of anabolic steroids to counteract the loss of LBM and strength during training or combat. However, fish oil may present a more socially acceptable alternative. Substantial evidence suggests that fish oil can preserve strength and mass in soldiers during physiological stress. This effect is also observed in first responders, athletes, and regular exercisers.

How Fish Oil Can Provide Assistance

Research Methodology and Findings

Researchers aggregated the results of 18 distinct studies focusing on the impact of fish oil on participants representative of the typical military demographic: aged 18 - 42 years, with a body mass index of less than 30, and generally in good health. These studies, published between 1997 and 2019, involved 455 men and women.

Some of these studies demonstrated that fish oil supplementation could increase muscle mass or at least prevent muscle breakdown during physiological stress. It also expedited the recovery of muscle strength. Related research indicated that fish oil could alleviate anxiety and depressive symptoms. The researchers determined that a daily intake of two grams for at least four weeks appeared to be the minimum effective dose.

Selecting the Optimal Fish Oil

To reap the benefits of stress reduction, muscle and strength preservation, a substantial dose of fish oil is required, specifically at least 2 grams (2,000 milligrams) or more. This typically amounts to at least eight capsules of standard fish oil. Moreover, inexpensive fish oil products may not disclose the ratio of EPA/DHA omega - 3 fatty acids.

Mounting evidence suggests that DHA is the more active component within the EPA/DHA pair. Thus, the ideal fish oil should contain a significantly higher proportion of DHA than EPA.

Flameout DHA - Rich Fish Oil (available for purchase on Amazon) contains five times more DHA than EPA, with 2000 mg of DHA and 400 mg of EPA. Only three softgels per day are needed.

Chronic physiological stress can undermine one's physical and mental well - being. Whether facing the stressors of military life, general training, or job - related stress, taking proactive measures is essential.

References

• Heileson JL et al. "The effect of fish oil supplementation on the promotion and preservation of lean body mass, strength, and recovery from physiological stress in young, healthy adults: a systematic review." Nutr Rev. 2020 Dec 1;78(12):1001 - 1014. PubMed: 32483626.

• Peltier C et al. "The Future of Steroids for Performance Enhancement in the U.S. Military." Mil Med. 2018 Jul 1;183(7 - 8):151 - 153. PubMed: 29741698.

• Li J et al. "Health benefits of docahexaenoic acid and its bioavailability: A review." Food Sci Nutr. 2021 Jul 23;9(9):5229 - 5243. PubMed: 34532031.