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I suspect better load distribution combined with strengthening the affected muscle groups would have more compensatory value than dietary supplements alone.

My unit had physicals after a Reforger exercise and nearly all were surprised that they were at least 1/4 inch shorter after schlepping crap for two months with minimal rest time. Fortunately all recovered after returning to normal duties.

But these complaints are nothing compared to the suffering so many endured during World War II. Those guys had the disadvantage of heavy weapons, even heavier ammunition and glorious bastards like Patton forcing them to nearly sprint with all of it across many miles of terrain.

And those who survived with merely an incremental loss in height would have considered that a blessing.

You might appreciate my mother's cousin.

He was one of the battlin' bastards of Bastogne -- with the 101st Screamin' Eagles.

He also was captured at Normandy, but was released not too long after I guess when the Germans holding him surrendered or were captured by the advancing army.

Anyway, this cousin of my mother was badly injured at Bastogne.

So after the war, he was told not to lift anything heavy. I think he did move to Tucson, AZ, for health reasons, because of the injuries.

As for not lifting anything heavy, he became Mr. Arizona after working out with weights.

He had his own Weight Lifting factory/company at one time.

I believe he still participates in the Senior Olympics.

Being Airborne, I think they had to go some pretty rough training.

I believe it was Eisenhower that decided to move them to Bastogne because they were receiving extra-hazardous combat pay for being airborne, but they were in rear areas... (But I am somewhat vague on that point -- have to research some more).

Some were probably better for the experience. Maybe some had some permanent injuries -- don't know...

The worst thing for my mother's cousin in the 101st was the fact he lost his good buddy (KIA) at Bastogne. That probably hurt more than all the hardships...

I did make the mistake of saying that Patton rescued them at Bastogne. That was a big mistake -- which I shall never make again.

The only problem at Bastogne was for the rest of the US Army to join up with the Screamin' Eagles.

The Germans paid their price for attacking the 101st.

So maybe there is more truth in that answer of nuts than we comprehend -- first that Germans had to be nuts to attack the 101st, and, second, the 101st was one tough nut to crack...