Omega-3 Index improves after increased intake of foods with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids among US service academy cadets.

The inclusion of omega-3 fatty acids in our dietary intake is important for performance and recovery and may reduce the risk of various health issues. Studies have shown the omega-3 fatty acid status of US service members is low. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether offering fish and omega-3-enhanced foods would increase the Omega-3 Index (O3I). We hypothesize cadets will increase O3I with enhanced omega-3 options more than fish alone. Food service venues at 3 US service academies offered fish and other omega-3 foods to cadets for 12 weeks. Questionnaires were used to collect information on the dietary habits and omega-3 food intake of participants. The O3I of each participant was measured at baseline, mid- (6 weeks), and after data collection (12 weeks) time points. Following the 12 weeks, we found a significant increase in O3I. More specifically, the intake of other omega-3 foods, smoothies (3 per week) and toppings (3 per week), increased O3I in cadets. This study identified a strategy encouraging omega-3 food intake and improving O3I among cadets. These results help us understand how we can more effectively impact military service member nutrition for optimal health and performance.

The effect of acute pain on executive function.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Executive functions are high-level cognitive processes that allow a person to success-fully engage in an independent and self-fulfilling life. Previous literature indicates that chronic pain can affect executive function, but there are limited studies that investigate the effect of acute pain on executive function. The purpose of this study was to determine if acute pain affects executive function in recreationally active indi-viduals who sustained a musculoskeletal injury. METHODS: Twenty-four recreationally active participants who presented with acute pain following a muscu-loskeletal injury underwent a neuropsychological battery within 72 hours of injury. Follow up testing occurred within two weeks from the initial testing session when participants were pain free. Pain intensity was measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). The neuropsychological battery consisted of the following tests: Digit Span (DS), Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT), and Trail Making Test B (TMT-B). The DS was bro-ken into two separate scores, the RAVLT four scores, and TMT-B one score. Seven paired samples t-tests were conducted using an adjusted alpha level of 0.007. RESULTS: Participants had significantly improved scores when pain free in DS forwards (p < 0.007) and TMT-B (p < 0.007). No significant difference was observed for the DS backward (p = 0.023), RAVLT A1 (p = 0.563), RAVLT sum A1 to A5 (p = 0.953), RAVLT A6 (p = 1.0), RAVLT recognition list A (p = 0.009). These results suggest that immediate recall and complex attention may be diminished in individ-uals who experience acute pain due to a musculoskeletal injury. CONCLUSIONS: Results from this study suggest acute pain from musculoskeletal injuries may disrupt executive function. RELEVANCE FOR PATIENTS: Patients should be aware that there may be cognitive changes after a musculoskeletal injury. Knowing which cognitive domains may be impaired during acute pain could impact clinical practice and further benefit patients suffering from pain and its associated symptoms.