Nutrition has played an important role throughout the history of human exploration. Prolonged volitional efforts in the face of limited nutrient availability and sustenance is a common trait of most, if not all, expeditionary adventures for mankind.
With the desire to expand human exploration via terrestrial or celestial destinations the need for safe, nutrient dense, and energy-dense food is vital to the maintenance of health. Quality food and optimized nutrition for humans in extreme environments is necessary to maintain their psychological health as well as their cognitive and physiological performance.
For example: with the desire to expand human space exploration to the other celestial bodies like the Moon and Mars, astronaut health is of major concern, especially regarding the adverse effects of long-duration exposure to microgravity, ionizing radiation and isolation. Development of balanced diets with controlled intake of biologically active substances, vitamins and food with radioprotective properties is essential.
Another burgeoning domain of human expeditionary nutrition is highlighted by the current warfighter. Numerous warfighters are deployed to remote territories across the world which may include but are not limited to: high altitude, underwater controlled environments, or jungle-based environments. Demands on these soldiers may include rigorous loaded marches, high cognitive performance demands (combat casualty care) or physiological tests of strength and stamina with life-or-death outcomes. Unique situational and nutritional demands may reflect demands similar to thru-hikers and ultra-endurance athletes where weight and nutrient density are key determinants of success.
Development of balanced diets with controlled intake of biologically active substances, vitamins and food with radioprotective properties is essential. Furthermore, each expeditionary mission is governed by its own rule-sets, key performance indicators and unique challenges that must be addressed in order to optimally fuel the effort.
The aim of this Research Topic is to focus on trends and challenges in advancement of specialized expeditionary nutrition by providing an up-to-date overview of the ongoing research in different related areas.
We welcome original research and review manuscripts, along with other article types, focused on, but not limited to, the research themes below which can answer questions such as the following:
1) What is the role of vitamin K and vitamin D in bone demineralization during space travel?
2) What is the effect on stability of food and nutrients in space environment conditions like temperature, humidity, radiation, and so forth?
3) How is the nutrient level in human body affected during ground analogues like bed rest, under-sea habitats, and artificial gravity?
4) What is the impact of nutrition and/or dietary changes and the effects on the health of explorers?
5) What are novel biosensor techniques used for quantitative determination of potential nutrients?
6) What is the role of micronutrients, phytoconstituents, and/or herbal supplements to maintain nutrition level during space travel?
7) What are recent advancements in techniques used to grow leafy vegetables and plants with required nutrients in microgravity conditions?
8) How is the gut microbiota affected in microgravity conditions and what is its impact in nutrient absorption?
9) What is the nutritional landscape of the warfighter and how can we optimize it?
10) The nutritional demands of extreme athletes and long duration activities have a dynamic requirement; what are some considerations for these athletes?
11) Macronutrients ratios are easily manipulated to result in dramatic changes in performance, so how can we manipulate macronutrients for long duration travel (spaceflight, prolonged deployment, and so forth)?
12) What are some supplements or nutritional considerations for the extreme environmental athlete/population?
Keywords:
Space travel, High Altitude, Military, Performance indicators, Nutritional requirnment, Biosensor techniques, compact food, Nutritional requirement
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
Nutrition has played an important role throughout the history of human exploration. Prolonged volitional efforts in the face of limited nutrient availability and sustenance is a common trait of most, if not all, expeditionary adventures for mankind.
With the desire to expand human exploration via terrestrial or celestial destinations the need for safe, nutrient dense, and energy-dense food is vital to the maintenance of health. Quality food and optimized nutrition for humans in extreme environments is necessary to maintain their psychological health as well as their cognitive and physiological performance.
For example: with the desire to expand human space exploration to the other celestial bodies like the Moon and Mars, astronaut health is of major concern, especially regarding the adverse effects of long-duration exposure to microgravity, ionizing radiation and isolation. Development of balanced diets with controlled intake of biologically active substances, vitamins and food with radioprotective properties is essential.
Another burgeoning domain of human expeditionary nutrition is highlighted by the current warfighter. Numerous warfighters are deployed to remote territories across the world which may include but are not limited to: high altitude, underwater controlled environments, or jungle-based environments. Demands on these soldiers may include rigorous loaded marches, high cognitive performance demands (combat casualty care) or physiological tests of strength and stamina with life-or-death outcomes. Unique situational and nutritional demands may reflect demands similar to thru-hikers and ultra-endurance athletes where weight and nutrient density are key determinants of success.
Development of balanced diets with controlled intake of biologically active substances, vitamins and food with radioprotective properties is essential. Furthermore, each expeditionary mission is governed by its own rule-sets, key performance indicators and unique challenges that must be addressed in order to optimally fuel the effort.
The aim of this Research Topic is to focus on trends and challenges in advancement of specialized expeditionary nutrition by providing an up-to-date overview of the ongoing research in different related areas.
We welcome original research and review manuscripts, along with other article types, focused on, but not limited to, the research themes below which can answer questions such as the following:
1) What is the role of vitamin K and vitamin D in bone demineralization during space travel?
2) What is the effect on stability of food and nutrients in space environment conditions like temperature, humidity, radiation, and so forth?
3) How is the nutrient level in human body affected during ground analogues like bed rest, under-sea habitats, and artificial gravity?
4) What is the impact of nutrition and/or dietary changes and the effects on the health of explorers?
5) What are novel biosensor techniques used for quantitative determination of potential nutrients?
6) What is the role of micronutrients, phytoconstituents, and/or herbal supplements to maintain nutrition level during space travel?
7) What are recent advancements in techniques used to grow leafy vegetables and plants with required nutrients in microgravity conditions?
8) How is the gut microbiota affected in microgravity conditions and what is its impact in nutrient absorption?
9) What is the nutritional landscape of the warfighter and how can we optimize it?
10) The nutritional demands of extreme athletes and long duration activities have a dynamic requirement; what are some considerations for these athletes?
11) Macronutrients ratios are easily manipulated to result in dramatic changes in performance, so how can we manipulate macronutrients for long duration travel (spaceflight, prolonged deployment, and so forth)?
12) What are some supplements or nutritional considerations for the extreme environmental athlete/population?
Keywords:
Space travel, High Altitude, Military, Performance indicators, Nutritional requirnment, Biosensor techniques, compact food, Nutritional requirement
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.