L.I. Medved’s Research Center of Preventive Toxicology, Food and Chemical Safety, Ministry of Health, Ukraine (State Enterprise), Kyiv, Ukraine

ABSTRACT. It is imperative to recognise the crucial importance of enhancing the physical and mental resilience of military personnel in combat scenarios. This is a pivotal aspect in ensuring the nation’s defence capability. Thus the significance of nutritional support in modern military contexts, particularly through the provision of dietary supplements is evident.

Aim. To analyse the risk management system for the administration of dietary supplements in military units of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) countries.

Materials and Methods. The study is based on an analysis of regulatory acts of Ukraine, NATO countries, and publications of scientific libraries PubMed, Elsevier, and Medline, devoted to the issues of dietary supplement consumption among military personnel.

Results and Discussion. According to the results of cohort longitudinal studies that began in the late 1990s and early 2000s in the USA, Portugal, Slovenia and other countries certain specific features of dietary supplements consumption by military personnel have been identified. Despite the various problematic issues that emerged as a result of observations, all authors pointed out the importance of developing a risk management system for the administration of dietary supplements in the army, which should include identification and classification of dietary supplements by level of risk. For example, by implementing a safety assessment protocol (risk assessment), which is based on the analysis of toxicological data, pharmacokinetics of ingredients, evidence of side effects from epidemiological studies, as well as the effect of supplements on cognitive functions and physical endurance of military personnel. In the USA, three levels of risk assessment are proposed for the classification of dietary supplements. The first is safe supplements with proven benefits (vitamins, electrolytes). The second is supplements with potential benefits, but insufficiently studied risks (adaptogens, creatine). The third is products with a high level of risk or insufficiently studied ingredients, such as geranium oil extract — geranamine (1,3-dimethylamylamine, DMAA) and supplements based on selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs), which are recommended to be limited or banned. The US Army has also proposed a system for monitoring and responding to side effects of dietary supplements. An effective step was the introduction of educational programmes for military medics and the creation of special information systems.

Conclusions. The experience of the USA and NATO countries can be useful for the development of an effective system of control over the administration of dietary supplements in the armed forces in Ukraine. The implementation of elements of the NATO model could include: adapting food standards for the military, taking into account the needs in vitamins and minerals; creating a system for monitoring side effects; developing national clinical recommendations; engagement of nutritionists and military doctors into the refinement of diets and recommendations for their use.

Keywords: dietary supplements, risk management, nutrition.

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Received December, 8, 2025

Review dates March, 3 2026; April, 6, 2026,

Publication date June, 12, 2026