Evaluation of Probiotics for Warfighter Health and Performance

Abstract

The probiotic industry continues to grow in both usage and the diversity of products available. Scientific evidence supports clinical use of some probiotic strains for certain gastrointestinal indications. Although much less is known about the impact of probiotics in healthy populations, there is increasing consumer and scientific interest in using probiotics to promote physical and psychological health and performance. Military men and women are a unique healthy population that must maintain physical and psychological health in order to ensure mission success. In this narrative review, we examine the evidence regarding probiotics and candidate probiotics for physical and/or cognitive benefits in healthy adults within the context of potential applications for military personnel. The reviewed evidence suggests potential for certain strains to induce biophysiological changes that may offer physical and/or cognitive health and performance benefits in military populations. However, many knowledge gaps exist, effects on health and performance are generally not widespread among the strains examined, and beneficial findings are generally limited to single studies with small sample sizes. Multiple studies with the same strains and using similar endpoints are needed before definitive recommendations for use can be made. We conclude that, at present, there is not compelling scientific evidence to support the use of any particular probiotic(s) to promote physical or psychological performance in healthy military personnel. However, plausibility for physical and psychological health and performance benefits remains, and additional research is warranted. In particular, research in military cohorts would aid in assessing the value of probiotics for supporting physical and psychological health and performance under the unique demands required of these populations.

Gut Microbiota-targeted Interventions for Reducing the Incidence, Duration, and Severity of Respiratory Tract Infections in Healthy Non-elderly Adults

“…Comprehensive narrative and systematic reviews focused exclusively on probiotic use in athletes have concluded that ∼65% of studies show favorable effects of probiotics on some aspect of immune function in athletes to include reducing the incidence, duration, and/or severity of RTI. 25–27 In one of those reviews, a position stand on probiotic use in athletes, the authors concluded that “specific probiotic strains can reduce the number of episodes, severity and duration of upper RTI” in athletic populations. 26 …”

Effects of the Human Gut Microbiota on Cognitive Performance, Brain Structure and Function: A Narrative Review

“…Despite no research specific to such personnel being identified, several studies reporting on relevant cognitive measures/tasks and their link to the gut microbiota within healthy/unhealthy populations were available for examination. A recently published narrative literature review authored by the US Department of Defense [ 50 ] included the discussion of evidence regarding the physical and/or cognitive benefits of probiotics in healthy adults. Their findings were broadly consistent with this completely independent narrative review.…”

Targeting the Gut Microbiota to Improve Dietary Protein Efficacy to Mitigate Sarcopenia

“…In healthy young mice without systemic inflammation, probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum supplementation not only improved lean mass but also muscle function (68). A series of recent reviews (74)(75)(76)(77)(78) and original studies (69-73) have investigated the impact of probiotic supplementation on lean mass and physical performance in humans. After probiotic supplementation, some studies in athletes (predominately males) showed improvements in muscle strength, power, and exercise recovery (69-72), but none observed significant alterations in body lean mass (69)(70)(71)(72)(73).…”