Supplements may boost energy but strain troops' hearts - Stripes - Independent U.S. military news from Iraq, Afghanistan and bases worldwide: "The unique rigors of Afghanistan — where Marines and soldiers must carry heavy packs, body armor and weapons over mountainous terrain — add to the strain on the hearts of troops already fighting dehydration and the stress of combat.
About 10 percent of servicemembers evacuated to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany suffer from some type of heart ailment, which can include anything from a heart attack to chest pains to palpitations.
Compounding the potential for cardiac problems is the fact that many troops fill hours of spare time with hard physical training, which floods the body with adrenaline. And some turn to energy supplements to get more out of their workouts, using thermogenics that stimulate the metabolism and central nervous system in an effort to improve training and promote weight loss."
