Although you will not be able to use dietary supplements or energy drinks during BMT, you should be aware that the use of these products has become increasingly popular among members of the military.
Supplements are intended to supplement a diet, not substitute for it. They may contain vitamins, minerals, herbs, botanicals, amino acids, high doses of caffeine, or other substances and are not regulated by the FDA. This lack of oversight means that there is no guarantee that what you purchase is what you get.
Supplements can often do more harm than good and individuals should consult a qualified healthcare professional before taking any supplements. Energy drinks can lead to sleep disturbances and other, more serious health concerns. Climate and stress may cause different reactions to the dietary supplements and energy drinks, especially in a deployed environment.
When considering taking a supplement or using energy drinks, it is best to proceed with caution. The Human Performance Resource Center by the Department of Defense (DoD) is the go to nutrition source for DoD personnel on performance.
The website keeps an up-to-date list of banned/high risk supplements and education materials for all aspects of performance to include nutrition and dietary supplements. Reliable, up-to-date science-based information can be found at www.hprc-online.org. Visit the Human Performance Resource Center and review/use the materials provided to include free access to the Natural Medicine Comprehensive Database.
After reviewing the information, Airmen must still consult their primary care physician or flight surgeon to get clearance on what to take and what not to take.