Our research focuses on optimizing physical resilience, nutrient intake, and muscle retention under the most extreme environmental stressors.
Bitterroot Innovations:
Advancing Research for Real-World Application
At Bitterroot Innovations, we are driven by a singular mission—to bridge the gap between cutting-edge science and real-world military performance. With 40 years of combined experience in clinical research and over 100 publications and abstracts, our expertise spans the disciplines of human performance, metabolism, and injury prevention in extreme environments.
Our Approach to Research & Innovation >>
From Concept to Combat-Ready Solutions
We don’t just theorize; we curate problem statements with our beneficiaries, conduct tireless prototype iteration, and rigorously test them in the environments where they will be used—whether that’s in the Arctic at -50°F, high-altitude training grounds, and/or during grueling field training exercises.
Built for Warfighters & Extreme Athletes
Our research is pragmatic and focused on muscle retention, physiological resilience, injury prevention, and operational endurance. We work alongside Special Operations Forces, conventional warfighters, and extreme athletes to ensure that our solutions meet the demands of those who push their bodies to the limit.
Data-Backed Performance Science
Everything we provide is driven by empirical evidence from peer-reviewed research. We specialize in clinical trials, metabolic profiling, and physiological stress adaptation to deliver solutions that actually work—not just in the lab but in the field. If you have a problem and would like to collaborate, please reach out.
A Vast Collaborative Network
Our reach includes biomedical scientists, military professionals, physicians, biochemists, engineers, and tactical experts, all committed to pushing the boundaries of human resilience and functional capacity. We conduct high-impact studies in unscripted circumstances across of wide range of environmental settings to optimize the suitability of mission-ready, performance-driven solutions.
At Bitterroot Innovations, our research isn’t just about understanding the body— it’s about enhancing its ability to survive, sustain and maneuver in the world’s toughest conditions.
Science-Backed. Warfighter-Relevant. Mission-Ready.
Selected Publications
2023
Coker RH, Ruby BC, Coker MS, Bartlett L, Kowalski B, Goropashnaya AV, Bateman T, Shankaran M, Hellerstein M, Evans WJ. Alaska Backcountry Expeditionary Hunting Promotes Sustained Muscle Protein Synthesis. Wilderness Environ Med. 2023 Sep;34(3):341-345. doi: 10.1016/j.wem.2023.05.003. Epub 2023 Jun 8. PMID: 37301628; PMCID: PMC10526753.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10526753/
In extreme operational settings, maintaining skeletal muscle mass is crucial for military personnel to ensure optimal performance and reduce injury risk. One of our recent studies, which represented a surrogate model of physical and nutrient stress, is titled “Alaska Backcountry Expeditionary Hunting Promotes Sustained Muscle Protein Synthesis.” This study examined the impact of these stressors on muscle protein synthesis. The findings revealed that, despite significant energy deficits, participants preserved skeletal muscle mass, suggesting that sustained physical activity may support muscle maintenance in short-term (<14 days) challenging conditions.
At Bitterroot Innovations, we are dedicated to translating such insights into practical solutions for the military community. Our research focuses on developing advanced nutritional strategies and products that enhance warfighter resilience and performance in austere environments. By leveraging a collaborative network of experts in physiology, nutrition, and military science, we aim to provide evidence-based interventions that address the unique challenges faced by service members during intense physical exertion and limited nutritional intake.
Our commitment is to equip military personnel with the tools necessary to maintain muscle integrity and overall health, ensuring they remain mission-ready regardless of the operational demands.
2021
Coker MS, Schutzler SE, Park S, Williams RH, Ferrando AA, Deutz NEP, Wolfe RR, Coker RH. Equivalent servings of free-range reindeer promote greater net protein balance compared to commercial beef. Int J Circumpolar Health. 2021 Dec;80(1):1897222. doi: 10.1080/22423982.2021.1897222. PMID: 33704030; PMCID: PMC7954490.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7954490/
In the quest to optimize muscle health and performance, especially for military personnel and extreme athletes, understanding the impact of dietary protein sources is paramount. A pivotal study titled “Equivalent servings of free-range reindeer promote greater net protein balance compared to commercial beef” sheds light on this subject. Our research reveals that consuming free-range reindeer meat results in a more favorable net protein balance than an equivalent serving of commercial beef, primarily due to its superior essential amino acid (EAA) profile. This finding underscores the significance of specific amino acid compositions in sustaining muscle.
At Bitterroot Innovations, we harness these insights to develop advanced nutritional solutions tailored to the unique demands of warfighters and elite athletes. By focusing on formulations rich in essential amino acids, we can enhance muscle synthesis, support recovery, and improve overall performance in the most challenging environments. Our commitment to evidence-based research ensures that our products provide the optimal nutritional support necessary for those who push the boundaries of physical endurance.
2021
Coker MS, Ladd K, Murphy CJ, Ruby BC, Shriver TC, Schoeller DA, Newcomer BR, Bateman T, Bartlett L, Coker RH. Alaska backcountry expeditionary hunting promotes rapid improvements in metabolic biomarkers in healthy males and females. Physiol Rep. 2021 Jan;9(1):e14682. doi: 10.14814/phy2.14682. PMID: 33369890; PMCID: PMC7769173.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7769173/
In the realm of military operations, service members often face extreme physical demands coupled with limited nutritional resources, leading to negative energy balance and potential health challenges. A study titled “Alaska Backcountry Expeditionary Hunting Promotes Rapid Improvements in Metabolic Biomarkers in Healthy Males and Females” provides valuable insights into how such conditions affect metabolic health. The research involved participants engaging in an 8–12 day Alaska backcountry hunting expedition, during which they experienced a significant negative energy balance of approximately -9.7 MJ/day. Despite this energy deficit, participants maintained lean tissue mass and the cross-sectional area of thigh muscle. Substantial reductions in body weight, fat mass, intrahepatic lipid content, and improvements in serum lipid profiles, including decreases in total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, VLDL-cholesterol, and triglycerides, were noted. Therefore, sustained physical activity, even during negative energy balance, can enhance metabolic health without compromising skeletal muscle.
At Bitterroot Innovations, we recognize the parallels between the conditions described above and the challenges faced by military personnel during operations. Our mission is to develop advanced nutritional strategies and products that support warfighters in maintaining muscle mass and metabolic health, even in austere environments with limited resupply and food availability. By leveraging insights from such research, we aim to provide evidence-based solutions to enhance the resilience and performance of those who serve in demanding settings.
2022
Coker MS, Barati Z, Murphy CJ, Bateman T, Newcomer BR, Wolfe RR, Coker RH. Essential amino acid enriched meal replacement improves body composition and physical function in obese older adults: A randomized controlled trial. Clin Nutr ESPEN 2022 Oct: 51:104-111.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36184194/
In the context of military operations, maintaining optimal body composition and physical function is paramount, especially under post-deployment conditions that may lead to muscle atrophy and fat accumulation. A recent randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of an essential amino acid (EAA)-enriched supplement on intrahepatic lipid and body composition The study found that participants consuming the EAA-enriched meal replacement experienced significant reductions in body fat mass, visceral fat, and intrahepatic lipid content, alongside improvements in thigh muscle cross-sectional area and performance in a 6-minute walk test.
These findings underscore the anabolic potential of EAAs in promoting muscle retention and enhancing physical function, even amidst caloric restriction in populations not prone to responsive muscle synthesis. At Bitterroot Innovations, we integrate these insights into our nutritional strategies, formulating EAA-rich products designed to support muscle maintenance and metabolic health for military personnel and extreme athletes. By focusing on the specific amino acid profiles that drive anabolism, our products aim to enhance operational readiness and performance in demanding environments.
2018
Schalt A, Johannsen MM, Kim J, Chen R, Murphy CJ, Coker MS, Gunga HC, Coker RH, Steinach M. Negative Energy Balance Does Not Alter Fat-Free Mass During the Yukon Arctic Ultra-The Longest and the Coldest Ultramarathon. Front Physiol. 2018 Dec 20; 9:1761. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2018.01761. PMID: 30662406; PMCID: PMC6327832.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6327832/
In the realm of military operations, service members often endure extreme physical exertion and harsh environmental conditions, leading to significant energy deficits. Understanding how the body adapts to such challenges is crucial for maintaining operational readiness. The study titled “Negative Energy Balance Does Not Alter Fat-Free Mass During the Yukon Arctic Ultra—The Longest and the Coldest Ultramarathon” provides valuable insights into this area. Participants in this grueling 692-kilometer event faced an average caloric deficit of approximately 2,261 kcal per day. Despite this substantial energy shortfall and exposure to severe cold, they maintained their fat-free mass throughout the race. Notably, there were significant increases in regulatory proteins that regulate muscle remodeling, suggesting a physiological adaptation that may contribute to muscle preservation under such conditions.
At Bitterroot Innovations, we leverage these findings to develop advanced nutritional strategies tailored for military personnel operating in extreme environments. Our research focuses on formulating products that support muscle maintenance and metabolic resilience, even amidst significant energy deficits and environmental stressors. By integrating evidence from studies like the Yukon Arctic Ultra, we aim to equip warfighters with the nutritional tools necessary to sustain peak performance and readiness, regardless of the challenges they face.
2018
Coker RH, Coker MS, Bartlett L, Murphy CJ, Priebe K, Shriver TC, Schoeller DA, Ruby BC. The energy requirements and metabolic benefits of wilderness hunting in Alaska. Physiol Rep. 2018 Nov;6(21):e13925. doi: 10.14814/phy2.13925. PMID: 30430767; PMCID: PMC6236107.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6236107/
In the demanding contexts of military operations and extreme athletic endeavors, understanding the body’s energy requirements and metabolic adaptations is crucial. The study titled “The Energy Requirements and Metabolic Benefits of Wilderness Hunting in Alaska” offers valuable insights into how sustained physical activity in challenging environments influences metabolic health. Participants engaged in a 12-day Alaskan backcountry hunting expedition experienced a significant negative energy balance, averaging a deficit of 9.0 ± 1.3 MJ/day. Despite this substantial caloric shortfall, participants maintained lean tissue mass and muscle cross-sectional area. Notably, there were reductions in body fat percentage, total fat mass, visceral fat volume, and intrahepatic lipid content, alongside improvements in blood lipid profiles. These findings suggest that continuous physical activity, even under caloric deficit conditions, can confer metabolic benefits without compromising muscle integrity.
At Bitterroot Innovations, we apply these insights to develop advanced nutritional strategies tailored for military personnel and extreme athletes. Recognizing the parallels between the study’s conditions and the challenges faced in military operations, our research focuses on formulating products that support metabolic resilience, muscle preservation, and optimal energy utilization in austere environments. By integrating evidence from such rigorous field studies, we aim to equip individuals operating under extreme physical and environmental stress with the nutritional tools necessary to maintain peak performance and health.
2017
Coker RH, Weaver AN, Coker MS, Murphy CJ, Gunga HC, Steinach M. Metabolic Responses to the Yukon Arctic Ultra: Longest and Coldest in the World. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2017 Feb;49(2):357-362. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000001095. PMID: 27669446; PMCID: PMC5491706.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5491706/
In some of the most austere military operations, service members are often subjected to severe cold and prolonged physical exertion, conditions that can significantly impact metabolic function and overall performance. The study titled “Metabolic Responses to the Yukon Arctic Ultra: Longest and Coldest in the World” provides critical insights into how such harsh environments affect the human body. Participants in this 430-mile ultra-endurance event faced temperatures ranging from -45°C to -8°C, leading to notable physiological changes, including significant weight and fat mass loss. Additionally, there was a trend toward alterations in myokines that regulate energy expenditure and fat browning, suggesting that extreme cold and physical stress may enhance metabolic adaptations.
At Bitterroot Innovations, we draw upon these findings to develop advanced nutritional solutions specific to remote and extreme environments. Our research focuses on formulating condition-specific products that support metabolic resilience, muscle preservation, and optimal energy utilization under such demanding conditions. By integrating evidence from extreme endurance events like the Yukon Arctic Ultra, we aim to equip warfighters with the nutritional tools necessary to maintain peak performance, regardless of environmental challenges.