Page 102 - Journal of Special Operations Medicine - Winter 2015

dietary and supplemental protein because they believe of approximately half the healthy population. The
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that the benefits of protein on muscle mass and, ulti- RDA of protein (0.8g/kg BM) is intended to meet pro-
mately, strength and performance, are endless. There tein requirements for about 98% of healthy people.
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7–9
is also concern that habitual consumption of high- The acceptable macronutrient distribution range for
protein diets, even in healthy adults, adversely affects protein is 10% to 35% of total energy intake and is
bone mineralization and kidney function, and may in- the range of protein intake recommended to reduce the
crease the likelihood of developing cardiovascular dis- risk of developing a chronic condition due to under-
ease, diabetes, and cancer. 10–12 Such beliefs and concerns and overconsumption. Military nutrition recommen-
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are often scientifically unfounded and serve only to con- dations for protein are consistent with the IOM RDA
fuse a population inundated with mixed messages re- and military and sports nutrition recommendations for
garding the optimal formulation of a healthy diet. periods of increased metabolic demand (e.g., endurance
and resistive-type exercise, underfeeding, and energy
This purpose of this review is to provide the basics of deficit). Recommendations are detailed in Army Regu-
the US military dietary protein requirements. Similari- lation (AR) 40-25/Navy Bureau of Medicine Instruction
ties are discussed between US military policy and dietary (BUMEDINST) 10110.6/Air Force Instruction (AFI) 44-
recommendations from the IOM and ACSM, and the 141, “Nutrition Standards and Education” (Table 1). 14
rationale for how they may differ, particularly during
operations when SOF operators must subsist mainly on The efficacy of higher-protein diets for periods of in-
combat rations or the economy. The justification for creased metabolic demand and subsequent energy defi-
recommending higher-protein intakes and the impor- cit is well described. Increasing protein intake to at least
tance of optimizing field feeding during military opera- 1.5g/kg BM attenuates muscle degradation, maintains
tions when energy deficits are expected are highlighted. muscle anabolism, and spares muscle mass during sus-
Misconceptions regarding protein requirements and tained, military-like energy deficits. 15–18 An internation-
commonly cited health-related concerns of consuming ally recognized group of nutrition experts recently agreed
higher-protein diets also are emphasized in this review. that during periods of elevated metabolic demand and en-
ergy deficit, military personnel should consume 1.5–2.0g
protein/kg of BM. The panel recognized that protein
2
US Military Dietary Protein Policy
requirements are easily met when service members are
US military nutrition policy is based, in large part, on living in garrison and eating the majority of their meals
the dietary reference intakes (DRIs) established by the at home or at a military dining facility. However, they
IOM. The DRIs are a set of nutrition reference values recognized the limitations in field feeding and agreed that
and evidence-based recommendations that serve as consuming sufficient protein to meet requirements during
guidelines for good nutrition that account for age, sex, most field training and combat operations is difficult.
and pregnancy status (pre- and postnatal). Common
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DRIs associated with protein intake include the esti- Whole-Food and Protein Supplement Recommendations
mated average requirement, the acceptable macronutri- Whole foods should be the primary source of dietary
ent distribution range, and the RDA. The estimated protein whenever possible. Animal proteins, includ-
average requirement for protein is 0.66g/kg BM and ing dairy, are considered the highest-quality sources of
is the amount of protein necessary to meet the needs protein based on their essential amino acid (i.e., amino

Table 1 Summary of Protein Expressed as Daily Needs per Day Relative to Body Mass and
Examples of Actual Amounts for Two Persons Differing in Body Mass
Protein Ranges Protein Amounts, g
g/lb g/kg 180-lb Man 135-lb Woman
AR 40-25 14
Moderate activity 0.4–0.7 0.8–1.5 72–126 54–95
ACSM 6
Endurance training 0.5–0.6 1.2–1.4 90–108 68–81
Strength/weight training 0.5–0.8 1.2–1.7 90–144 68–108
Consensus statement 2
High energy demands with 0.7–0.9 1.5–2.0 126–162 95–122
insufficient energy intake

90 Journal of Special Operations Medicine Volume 15, Edition 4/Winter 2015