Assessment of Nutritional Intake During Space Flight and Space Flight Analogs

Publication date: 2013 Source:Procedia Food Science, Volume 2 Author(s): S.M. Smith , B.L. Rice , H. Dlouhy , S.R. Zwart Maintaining adequate nutrient intake during space flight is important not only to meet nutrient needs of astronauts but also to help counteract negative effects of space flight on the human body. Beyond these functions, food also provides psychosocial benefits throughout a mission. Dietary intake data from multiple space programs, including the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station, are discussed. These data arise from medical monitoring of dietary intake and crew health, as well as from research protocols designed to assess the role of diet in counteracting bone loss and other health concerns. Ground- based studies are conducted to better understand some of the negative issues related to space flight. Examples of ground-based studies are extended-duration bed rest studies, vitamin D supplementation studies in Antarctica during 6-month winterovers, and 10- to 14-day saturation diving missions on the floor of the ocean. The use of weighed food records, diet diaries, barcodes and food-frequency questionnaires to assess nutritional intake of space crewmembers is described. Provision of food and nutrients in space flight is important for many body systems including the cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, endocrine, and immune systems. Key areas of concern during long-duration space flight include loss of body mass, bone and muscle loss, radiati...
Source: Procedia Food Science - Category: Food Science Source Type: research