Special Ops: Special Diets, Optimizing Nutrition for the Brains of Elite Military Operators
If you’ve ever wondered how the military’s elite Special Forces Operators excel above the rest, nutrition is their secret weapon. Brain health optimizing via nutrition is a powerful tool and an important part of the performance and recovery of our country’s most elite warriors. Special ops nutrition performance optimization is not for the weak.
Nicole recently spoke with General Fred Franks, a retired general of the United States Army, who wanted to discuss the increased needs for nutrition education for veterans at the Home Base Program. Nicole Chenard had met him while working on medical assessments for veterans in Ft. Myers, Florida. Over the last decade, we have made massive amounts of progress in the discovery of specific nutrients that, when consumed at the right times, positively affect the outcomes of an operator or a veteran’s brain health and function. Not only this, but the lives of the family members improved drastically too.
This topic can benefit anyone dealing with past injuries, current injury stress, or just looking to boost their brain. If you missed the podcast episode or feel inspired to learn even more, check out everything you need to know below.
Understanding Nutrition for Brain Injuries
Nutrition for brain health is a not as complicated as you may think and it’s not just for special ops nutrition performance optimization! Professional, college and high school athletes can benefit too!
It’s important to eat brain-boosting foods before, during, and after a brain injury for brain health optimization. The blood brain barrier plays a crucial role in protecting this vital organ. Our moods depend on the regulation of caffeine, alcohol, sugar and other common drugs and nutrients that can more easily cross the blood brain barrier after any level of trauma.
Which nutrients are important for the special ops nutrition performance optimization brain’s protection?
Some of the most important nutrients to pay attention to for brain health include:
- Vitamin D
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids
- Antioxidants (Glutamine, Vitamin E, polyphenols)
- Zinc
- Creatine
- Choline
These nutrients are crucial for:
- Reduction of oxidative stress and inflammation and repair of cellular damage
- Restoration of cellular energetics
- Repair and recovery
- Testosterone regulation
Nutrient recommendations depend on age, sex, height, weight, pathophysiology, current medications and dietary restrictions and/or limitations and preferences. Specific nutrient amount recommendations are to be determined on an individual basis with the patient’s dietitian.
Advocating for Yourself
Part of medical nutrition therapy is advocating for yourself and your needs. It’s a process of being open to learning more about yourself and introducing a more gentle and holistic approach to physical and mental health concerns. Special ops nutrition performance optimization is important for all Americans.
Typically, people are told things like “you don’t have headaches, so you don’t have a concussion or a TBI,” but we know now that symptoms can be different for different people and do not always show up on day one. In other words, if you know something is wrong with your head and if you have any changes in appetite or mood with or without pain or a headache, it’s important to have an assessment with a medical professional who will listen to you. Don’t give up on your health. You deserve to be heard and properly assessed.
In the meantime, keep track of your symptoms in a notebook or in your phone. Even the mildest changes in mood or behavior are significant for your healthcare provider to know. Include days and times for the best care. This is the most effective way to get the help you deserve.
If you’re curious about supporting yourself through nutrition and daily habits for high performance, check out everything from individual meal plans to 1:1 coaching to special ops nutrition performance optimization with Nicole Chenard, MS, RD, LDN.
