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A Successful Mission Starts With Nutrition – presented by Science@NASA

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Centuries ago, large, wooden ships explored the seven seas.

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But often a ship that began its voyage with a crew of hundreds could return with tens.

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The silent killer? Scurvy, a disease that occurs when there’s a lack of Vitamin C in the diet.

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On the other extreme, explorers of the North and South poles could fall ill by eating the liver of polar bears and seals,

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exposing them to toxic levels of Vitamin A.

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Centuries of exploration have taught us there is a vital relationship between a successful exploration mission and balanced nutrition.

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And nowhere is that lesson more vital than in the extreme vastness of outer space.

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NASA nutritionist and Manager for Nutritional Biochemistry, Scott M. Smith, Ph.D. notes,

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“We’re studying nutrition aboard the International Space Station (ISS) by tracking what astronauts eat

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and how their body mass and health change over time in microgravity.

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Menus that lack variety and busy schedules can impact the astronauts’ dietary intake,

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and insufficient intake leads to weight (mass) loss, bone and muscle loss, cardiovascular effects, and more.

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The foods on ISS are all “shelf stable.” There is no refrigerator or freezer for food.

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Right now, we’re lucky, because we are able to deliver fresh fruits and vegetables to the station.

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But think about the first human trip to Mars and back, which may take 30 months or more.

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How do we maintain optimal nutrition for our astronauts over that much time?”

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The challenge is clear: In space, the astronauts’ environment impacts their nutritional needs.

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Astronauts have higher radiation exposure, higher atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide, low humidity, and microgravity,

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which can all have effects on their health. Having a balanced, nutritious diet is important

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to help counteract spaceflight effects on the body.

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These can have short-term consequences, like on mood and performance, and kidney stone risk; and raises long-term concerns,

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such as bone and muscle loss, cardiovascular degradation, impairment of the immune function, and vision changes.

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Smith says, “The foods we give them will be of utmost importance for counteracting these effects,

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which is why we need to find ways to make the food palatable, nutritious, and safe even after it’s stored for months or years.”

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Keeping an eye on intake will be important, too. Currently on ISS, astronauts use an iPad app to track intake,

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and this gives them real-time information on their diet.

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The nutrition team and flight surgeons also watch this information to help provide feedback to astronauts.

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This attention to astronaut nutrition is also paying dividends for those on Earth.

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Smith notes that astronauts on board the space station have already delivered a plethora of nutritional data

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that can be applied to all people. He says, “We’ve gained new insights into how nutrition can have effects on all human systems

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including dietary effects on bone loss, which affects the elderly in particular, and how to better treat that condition and others."

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“Of course”, says Smith, “a simple start for people on Earth to maintain optimal health is the same as it’s been for centuries: 

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Keep eating your fruits and veggies.”

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For more science from the International Space Station, go to www.nasa.gov/iss-science.

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For more appetizing information about space exploration visit science.nasa.gov.