Low-Carb High-Fat Diets Boost Military Performance and Readiness

Low-carbohydrate, high-fat (LCHF) diets can enhance fat metabolism and endurance by increasing fat oxidation and sparing muscle glycogen, potentially benefiting military personnel operating in stressful, resource-limited environments. This metabolic adaptation may improve stamina, reduce injury risk through leaner body composition, and support sustained performance during prolonged exertion or limited calorie intake. However, LCHF diets may impair high-intensity exercise performance due to reduced carbohydrate utilization, indicating the approach is best suited for endurance-focused activities rather than short bursts of maximal effort. Adapting to such diets requires time, and they offer a viable alternative to traditional high-carbohydrate military nutrition guidelines for optimizing operational readiness and metabolic health[1][2][3][4][5].