Warfighters commonly operate at extremes of unique physical, psychological and environmental stressors that challenge health, cognitive function and physical performance.  The adverse impact of these stressors may be modulated in part by the gut microbiome.  Diet is the predominant non-pharmacologic factor shaping the composition and activity of the gut microbiome.  As such, developing nutrition-based strategies targeting the gut microbiome may provide novel solutions for optimizing Warfighter health and performance.  The objective of this talk is to provide an overview of existing knowledge relevant to the effects of military-relevant stressors on the gut microbiome and associated health sequelae.  Results from recently completed studies examining interactions between diet, the gut microbiome, and the intestinal barrier in Warfighters exposed to military-relevant stressors will be discussed.  Although the existing evidence base is small, findings suggest that multiple military-relevant stressors either directly or indirectly modulate the gut microbiome, and that host physiologic responses to these stressors may be determined, in part, both by the state of the pre-stressed gut microbiome and the response of the gut microbiome to those stressors.  Multiple nutritional strategies show promise for maintaining health and performance by building resiliency in the gut microbiome to these stressors, but remain largely untested in Warfighters to date.

Military-relevant stressors, diet, and the gut microbiome

254th National Meeting (2017)

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