Navy SEAL Recommended Protein

The day to day training and fatigue for SWAT and Special Operations forces (SOF) – Navy SEALs, Marine Recon, Army Special Forces, Rangers and Air Force Para-Rescue – is incredibly tough and demanding.

These military athletes are always looking for ways to help restore their bodies after grueling training.

In a recent poll – Naval Health Research Center examined the use of nutritional supplements by US Navy SEALs and observed 78% of the Naval Special Warfare community currently use a variety of nutritional supplements ( “Use of supplements by Navy SEALs” Med.Sci.in Sports.Excercise. Vol.30, Number 5 (S) 1998). The study also found that the source of information SEALs relied on in choosing which supplements to use came from their fellow operators and bodybuilding magazines.

See the findings below from this dietary supplement survey* given to over 2,000 men entering the U.S. Army Special Forces and Ranger Training Schools.

•35% of Special Forces reported daily use
•64% reported current use
•85% reported past or present use
*Arsenault J, Kennedy J. Dietary supplement use in U.S. Army Special Operations candidates. Mil Med. 1999.Jul; 164(7): 495-501

It doesn’t matter if BUD/S training has your joints inflamed and you can barely crawl or you are facing high-energy impulse noises in an unfamiliar mountainous terrain, one way or the other you must engage.

Military personnel and SOF are well aware of the harsh consequences of oxidative stress and how it can affect a soldier’s reaction time during combat.

Research indicates certain nutritional supplements can help offset the common byproducts associated with military training and tactical missions.

This compelling nutritional data underlines the efficacy of particular supplements, which are scientifically known to support a soldier’s micronutrient requirements.

Since so much of what goes into a mission occurs during training, I wanted to bring a military study to your attention.

Can Post-exercise Protein Drinks Prevent Health Problems?

Intrigued by this question, researchers wanted to gauge the efficacy of protein supplementation on Marine recruits going through basic training.

According to this particular study (Flakoll P. et al. “Post exercise protein supplementation improves health and muscle soreness during basic military training in Marine recruits.” J Appl Physiol. 2004 Mar; 96(3):951-6. Epub 2003 Dec 2.), marine recruits from six platoons were randomly assigned to either a placebo, control group or protein supplement.

The findings showed the recruits that took the protein supplement experienced reduced muscle soreness compared to the placebo and control group, as well as:

•28% fewer bacterial/viral infections
•33% fewer medical visits
•37% fewer muscle/joint problems
•83% fewer medical visits due to heat exhaustion
In retrospect, researchers stated, “Post-exercise protein supplementation may not only enhance muscle protein deposition but it also has significant potential to positively impact health, muscle soreness, and tissue hydration during prolonged intense exercise training, suggesting a potential therapeutic approach for the prevention of health problems in severely stressed exercising populations.”

What Can You Conclude? Military personnel and SOF push their minds and bodies to the limit. Without the proper nutrients and rest, these operators could “crash” at the wrong time, endangering their life and those around them.

To make sure this does not happen, SEALs and other SOF rely on scientifically proven nutritional supplements made of the highest quality ingredients.

If you take part in any hard-core training sessions and have yet to design your own supplement strategy, I highly encourage you to do so.  In conclusion, sports Supplements are beneficial and needed for Special Forces Training. Your mind and body will thank you for it.

Question: How can I find out more info on joining the Navy and the SEAL teams? Check out the website here:

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