Mineral Requirements for Military Personnel: Levels Needed for Cognitive and Physical Performance During Garrison Training

Institute of Medicine
500 Fifth Street NW
Washington DC 20001

iomwww@nas.edu

tel: 202.334.2352
fax: 202.334.1412

Staff Directory

Released On:

March 22, 2006

Read and Purchase

The Committee on Mineral Requirements for Cognitive and Physical Performance for Military Personnel produced recommendations for mineral intake levels during military garrison training. These levels are different from the levels required by the general population because soldiers engaged in extensive training while in potentially stressful situations; the difference in intake levels for certain minerals mainly take into account losses through sweating that come with the increased physical activity that training entails.

Data to support new requirements for minerals for military personnel is scarce and research is needed under the unique scenarios of garrison training. In addition, research with civilians suggests that certain minerals such as iron, magnesium, and zinc might either prevent decrements in or enhance cognitive or physical performance at intakes higher than currently recommended; confirmatory or new research data are needed before these potential benefits are factored in as criteria to increase mineral intake levels.

Related Reports
		Nutrient Composition of Rations for Short-Term, High-Intensity Combat Operations Jun 6, 2005
		Monitoring Metabolic Status: Predicting Decrements in Physiological and Cognitive Performance during Military Operations Apr 26, 2004
		Weight Management: State of the Science and Opportunities for Military Programs Aug 1, 2003
		Pennington Biomedical Research Center: June 2001 Program Review Mar 4, 2002
		High-Energy, Nutrient-Dense Emergency Relief Food Product Feb 27, 2002
		Caffeine for the Sustainment of Mental Task Performance: Formulations for Military Operations Oct 25, 2001
		The Role of Protein and Amino Acids in Sustaining and Enhancing Performance Jul 1, 1999
		Committee on Military Nutrition Research: Activity Report 1994-1999 Jul 1, 1999
		Military Strategies for Sustainment of Nutrition and Immune Function in the Field Mar 1, 1999
		A Letter Report to the Office of the Surgeon General United States Army on Antioxidants and Oxidative Stress in Military Personnel Feb 12, 1999
		Reducing Stress Fracture in Physically Active Military Women Jan 1, 1998
		Assessing Readiness in Military Women: The Relationship of Body Composition, Nutrition, and Health Jan 1, 1998
		Emerging Technologies for Nutrition Research: Potential for Assessing Military Performance Capability Jan 1, 1997
		Pennington Biomedical Research Center September 1996 Site Visit, A Brief Report Nov 21, 1996
		Nutritional Needs in Cold and High-Altitude Environments: Applications for Military Personnel in Field Operations Jan 1, 1996
		A letter report on A Review of Issues Related to Iron Status in Women during U.S. Army Basic Combat Training Dec 19, 1995
		A letter report on A review of the Revision of the Medical Services Nutrition Allowances, Standards, and Education (AR 40-25, 1985) Oct 26, 1995
		Not Eating Enough: Overcoming Underconsumption of Military Operational Rations Jan 1, 1995
		Food Components to Enhance Performance: An Evaluation of Potential Performance-Enhancing Food Components for Operational Rations Jan 1, 1994
		Fluid Replacement and Heat Stress Jan 1, 1994
		Nutritional Needs in Hot Environments: Applications for Military Personnel in Field Operations Jan 1, 1993
		Review of the Results of Nutritional Intervention, U.S. Army Ranger Training Class 11/92 (Ranger II) Jan 1, 1993
		A Nutritional Assessment of U.S. Army Ranger Training Class 11/91, A Brief Report Mar 23, 1992
		Body Composition and Physical Performance: Applications for the Military Services Jan 1, 1992
		The Long Life Ration Packet (LLRP), A Brief Report Feb 18, 1991
		The New Generation Survival Ration, A Brief Report Feb 13, 1991


Last Updated: 3/22/2006, 10:29 AM	RSS