Omega-3s for Our Soldiers?

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Admiral cites omega-3s as part of vision for 'total force fitness'

Omega-3s, such as those found in krill oil and fish oil, were given a boost recently by the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen. In an editorial in the publication Military Medicine, the admiral specifically cited omega-3s in a call for a ‘holistic’ view of military force fitness.

The admiral issued a clear call to scientists to help him “make sure that warriors and their families can lead their lives to the fullest,” and noted that “the emerging science behind the positive effects of omega-3 fatty acids on mood indicate that diet is not simply a matter of maintaining ideal body weight. Fitness cannot be separated completely from nutrition.” 

We at WellWise.org say bravo to the admiral, and hope that his message is taken seriously by those who might be able to influence a paradigm shift in our view of health and fitness. The military has sometimes been a powerful agent of change in US history, such as when President Harry Truman called for integrating all branches in 1948 with Executive Order 9981. To have someone in such an authoritative role say “total fitness is a state where mind and body are seen as one” is indeed encouraging.

The admiral even has encouraged scientists to “critically evaluate the role of complementary and alternative medicine,” to “add to our understanding of the connections between physical fitness and aging, “and finally, explore the anecdotal evidence regarding total force fitness and then develop scientific protocols to put these observations to objective tests.”

Can omega-3 functional rations be far behind?

You can read Admiral Mullen’s editorial here.