Nutrition
Sara R. Zwart, Ph.D.
Nutritional Biochemistry Laboratory
Johnson Space Center - NASA
Monica V. Trevathan
Education Specialist
Human Health and Performance
Johnson Space Center - NASA
June 23, 2005
Learning Objectives
Participants will expand their science content
knowledge in the area of Nutrition by:
• Describing the importance of proper nutrition
for our bodies on Earth and for human space
exploration.
• Identifying human body systems that are
affected by inadequate nutrition (on Earth
and in space).
• Explaining some challenges in nutrition and
food for human exploration and long duration
space flight.
Adaptation to Weightlessness
• Psychological/
Behavioral/
Performance
• Taste & odor
• Muscle
• Bone
• Fluid shifts,
hematological
• Cardiovascular
• Neurosensory
• Sleep &
circadian rhythm
• Gastrointestinal
• Environmental
What is the Function of
Nutrition?
• Psychosocial aspects
• Meet energy/nutrient requirements
• Countermeasure
Classroom Project Idea
• Go to www.mypyramid.gov
• My Pyramid Tracker can track food intake for
24 hours and give a report
Energy Intake
Energy Intake
POLL QUESTION
In general, most astronauts eat less
than their recommended intake.
Does this necessarily mean they lose
weight?
Body Weight
%  from Preflight
10
5
0
-5
-10
-15
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
Mission Duration (days)
160
180
200
220
SLAMMD
Vitamin D
Vitamin D
Vitamin D
• Stimulates calcium absorption in the
intestine
• Deficiency can lead to:
– Rickets
– Osteomalacia
Where is
vitamin D
synthesized in
the body?
POLL QUESTION
Which of the following is NOT a source of
Vitamin D?
Nutrients Critical for
Bone Health
• Calcium
• Vitamin D
• Vitamin K
• Phosphorus
• Magnesium
Bone
Bone breakdown
Bone formation
Bone Loss



Bone Loss
Fracture Risk
Stone Risk
Adapted from Heaney et al, 2000
Potential Countermeasures
• Nutrition
• Exercise
• Pharmacology
Biochemical Markers of Bone
Breakdown
• N-telopeptide
• Helical peptide
NTX (nmol/d)
Sodium
Level of dietary
sodium at each
stage of the study
Experiment days
European Mir Mission (Days)
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
• Beneficial effects on cholesterol, lipid
metabolism, and cardiovascular health
• Inhibit muscle loss in subjects with
hyper-catabolic diseases
• Protective effects on bone health
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
• Clinical trial with cancer cachexia patients
(Wigmore et al. 1996)
Animal protein/Potassium
Chicken Bone in Acid
• In the classroom, use the “famous” chicken
bone in acid lab experiment to demonstrate
acid effects on bones
• See:
http://haco.jsc.nasa.gov/pdf/pH Experiment.pdf
• ….plus, ideas for more on nutrition and bones!
Next Stop: Mars!!
•
•
Nutrition is critical due to length of missions
Critical issues:
1. Are vitamins stable after exposure to
deep-space radiation?
2. Are nutrients stable for long shelf life
(up to 5 years)?
Food System Issues
•
•
•
•
•
•
Nutrient content
Palatability
Shelf-life
Preparation
Storage
Trash
How will Extreme Conditions
of Space Affect Food
Supply?
•
•
•
•
Closed food system
Radiation
Long-term storage
Depletion of a single nutrient could be
deadly after 3 years
For Example…
Vitamin B1 (thiamine)
• Easily destroyed by heat and light
• Deficiency
– beriberi
– develops within 2-3 months
– neurological and cardiovascular
effects
Another Example
Vitamin C
• Deficiency
– Scurvy
– Bleeding around hair follicles, gums and
underneath fingernails
• Effects of radiation and
long-duration storage are
unknown for space flight
Nutrition Research
On Earth and in space:
• Nutrition is more than just eating
food
–Food choices are important
• Nutrition affects all body systems
• Countermeasures for conditions
such as osteoporosis
Related NASA Education Material
• National Space and Biomedical
Research Institute
• Activities Guides
for Teachers
• 5-8 grade
http://www.nsbri.org/Education/index.html
Related NASA Education Material
• NASA CONNECT™
• Math & Science
integration
• “Better Health from
Space to Earth”
• Grades 5-8
http://connect.larc.nasa.gov
Sara R. Zwart, Ph.D.
Nutritional Biochemistry Laboratory
Johnson Space Center - NASA
Monica V. Trevathan
Education Specialist
Human Health and Performance
Johnson Space Center - NASA