Extra doses of four nutrients would make American soldiers more alert
and give them added stamina. Field rations supplemented with caffeine, tyrosine,
choline and extra carbohydrate will improve performance, suggests a report
published last week by the National Academy of Sciences.
But the nutrient supplements will not produce supersoldiers. While the
US Army wants to find supplements that would increase its soldiers鈥� performance
by between 10 and 15 per cent by 1998, a panel from the academy鈥檚 Institute
of Medicine says this goal is 鈥榦verly optimistic鈥�, especially if the generals
want to squeeze better performances out of already well-fed, physically
fit soldiers.
Instead, the committee says the army should focus on supplements that
will help to restore performance after long periods on the battlefield,
when soldiers suffer the effects of stress and lack of sleep.
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Carbohydrates would give the soldiers more energy, though the panel
warns that eating chocolate bars or other sources of carbohydrates could
trigger 鈥榤ood changes that may affect motivation to operate under stressful
conditions鈥�. Caffeine added to food would help keep sleep-deprived soldiers
alert.
Tyrosine is an amino acid used in the manufacture of several neurotransmitters.
An extra helping would counteract the effects of stress, making soldiers
more alert and less anxious. Choline is also an ingredient for a neurotransmitter,
acetylcholine. Choline supplements could boost the soldier鈥檚 physical stamina.
In one study, choline supplements shaved 5 minutes from the time it took
volunteers to run 32 kilometres.
