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Environmental and physical stress and nutrient requirements
1Division of Foods and Nutrition, University of Utah, Salt Lake City.
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
|March 1, 1995
Summary
Human exposure to extreme environments like heat, cold, or high altitude increases energy needs. Nutrient requirements, particularly for B vitamins and antioxidants, may rise to support metabolic adaptations and reduce oxidative stress.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Physiology
- Human Adaptation
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Humans face environmental stressors including heat, cold, and high altitude.
- Physiological and metabolic adjustments are necessary to cope with these extreme conditions.
- Nutrient requirements can change in response to environmental exposures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the metabolic adaptations to environmental stressors.
- To identify potential changes in nutrient requirements during heat, cold, and high-altitude exposure.
- To understand the role of nutrients in mitigating physiological stress.
Main Methods:
- Review of physiological responses to environmental extremes.
- Analysis of metabolic pathways affected by temperature and altitude.
- Examination of nutrient metabolism and requirements under stress.
Main Results:
- Increased energy expenditure is common across heat, cold, and high-altitude environments.
- B-vitamin cofactor needs rise with energy expenditure due to increased nutrient oxidation.
- Iron requirements may increase in females at high altitudes for hematopoiesis.
- Antioxidant vitamins and minerals may help combat oxidative stress.
Conclusions:
- Environmental extremes necessitate physiological adaptations that can alter nutrient needs.
- Increased dietary intake often meets heightened B-vitamin requirements.
- Specific nutrients like iron and antioxidants may require supplementation or increased intake to support human health in extreme environments.