Thinking Nutrition

Creatine is one of the most well-researched and effective sports nutrition supplements for improving exercise performance. So it is no surprise that interest in using creatine supplements to enhance performance during intense activity has grown dramatically over the last few years. One of the most common ‘use cases’ for creatine supplements is for muscle and strength gains. This makes creatine a popular choice by strength and power sports athletes, bodybuilders and recreational exercisers to supplement their resistance training. In this podcast episode, I dig deeper into what creatine is, how it may work and importantly: what the latest scientific evidence has to say about how it performs in maximising muscle gains.Links referred to in the podcastIOC Consensus Statement on dietary supplements for use by high-performance athletes https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/52/7/439Systematic review of creatine supplementation and body composition https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39074168Episode transcriptTo access the full episode transcript, go to the following link and select the individual podcast episode and then click on the ‘Transcript’ tab https://thinkingnutrition.buzzsprout.comConnect with meInstagram doctimcroweFacebook Thinking NutritionX CroweTim

Heard about hydrogen water? It is regular water that has extra hydrogen infused in it and it’s one of the latest health trends with proponents claiming it will fight off disease, reduce inflammation, boost energy, improve mental health and enhance athletic performance. That’s quite a list of impressive claims. But what does the research have to say? That’s what I explore in this podcast to see if hydrogen water can live up to the hype or if it should be labelled the latest health hoax.Links referred to in the podcastSystematic review of molecular hydrogen and exercise performance https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2024.1387657/full Hydrogen water and long-COVID https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38794767Systematic review of health claims of hydrogen water https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10816294Episode transcriptTo access the full episode transcript, go to the following link and select the individual podcast episode and then click on the ‘Transcript’ tab https://thinkingnutrition.buzzsprout.comConnect with meInstagram doctimcroweFacebook Thinking NutritionX CroweTim

No one nutrient gets greater focus in the sports and performance world than protein – and for good reason. Protein builds and powers our muscles and with that comes strength and performance gains – something just about every athlete wants to have more of. Understanding how dietary protein improves muscle mass, strength and performance is crucial. Two topics that are hotly debated are the role of protein type and timing around a resistance training program. And they’re the topics I’m going to tackle in this podcast episode.Links referred to in the podcastNetwork meta-analysis on the effect of protein type and timing on muscle and physical performance https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38039960Systematic review on the effect of protein supplementation on resistance-training mass and strength gains 2017 https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/52/6/376.longRethinking protein intake and timing needs https://www.mysportscience.com/post/rethinking-protein-intake-needsEpisode transcriptTo access the full episode transcript, go to the following link and select the individual podcast episode and then click on the ‘Transcript’ tab https://thinkingnutrition.buzzsprout.comConnect with meInstagram doctimcroweFacebook Thinking NutritionX CroweTim

Some aspects of ageing may be inevitable, but when it happens together with an accelerated loss of weight, muscle mass and strength it makes an older person much more susceptible to disability, poor quality of life and earlier death. The condition is called sarcopenia and it is underpinned by chronic inflammation. Diet and lifestyle changes can go a long way in preventing and treating sarcopenia and inflammation. And now research is adding to this by looking at the role of probiotics as a way to influence the gut microbiome and with that, the muscle loss and inflammation seen in sarcopenia. That’s what I’ll be exploring in this podcast.Links referred to in the podcastSystematic review of probiotics in adults with markers of sarcopenia https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38370462Episode transcriptTo access the full episode transcript, go to the following link and select the individual podcast episode and then click on the ‘Transcript’ tab https://thinkingnutrition.buzzsprout.comConnect with meInstagram doctimcroweFacebook Thinking NutritionX CroweTim

Interest in collagen supplements continues to grow – and for good reason. That’s because despite rubbish claims that are way off the mark that there is ‘no evidence they work’ and ‘all the research is funded by the collagen industry’, the reality is very different. In past podcasts I’ve delved into the topic of hydrolysed collagen supplements and skin health and where there are now dozens of blinded randomised controlled trials showing a benefit in increasing skin moisture and elasticity and reducing wrinkles – with many of the studies free from any conflict of interest and all supported by plausible mechanisms as to why collagen, and not other protein sources, can do this. But for this podcast, I want to focus on one of the other reasons that people may take collagen: and that’s to give relief from joint pain and stiffness. So for this episode, I’m going to focus on arthritis and outline what the clinical evidence says and what unique biological mechanisms could be at play to support a unique effect of collagen supplements.Links referred to in the podcastPodcast Episode 82 - Collagen supplements: an update on the evidence for health benefits  https://thinkingnutrition.buzzsprout.com/808853/9137267-collagen-supplements-an-update-on-the-evidence-for-health-benefitsPodcast Episode 120 - Tendon troubles: can collagen supplements help with tendon repair? https://thinkingnutrition.buzzsprout.com/808853/13372233-tendon-troubles-can-collagen-supplements-help-with-tendon-repairSystematic review of hydrolysed collagen in skin ageing 2023 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10180699Systematic review of collagen supplementation in osteoarthritis 2018 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30368550Review of collagen supplementation for joint health 2023 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10058045Systematic review of undenatured collagen and osteoarthritis 2023 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37854210Episode transcriptTo access the full episode transcript, go to the following link and select the individual podcast episode and then click on the ‘Transcript’ tab https://thinkingnutrition.buzzsprout.comConnect with meInstagram doctimcroweFacebook Thinking NutritionX CroweTim

Irritable bowel syndrome is one of the most common gastrointestinal complaints. With no single identified trigger or treatment, IBS can be a minefield for a person to try and get on top of. Dietary changes like a low-FODMAP diet, supplements and stress modification all have a role to play. Another emerging treatment for IBS are probiotics. Probiotics may improve IBS symptoms by changing the gut microbiota and their metabolite production which can change gut motility, inflammation and gut hypersensitivity. In this podcast, I’ll look at the evidence for the use of probiotic supplements in IBS.Links referred to in the podcastSystematic review of probiotics in IBS https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37541528Episode transcriptTo access the full episode transcript, go to the following link and select the individual podcast episode and then click on the ‘Transcript’ tab https://thinkingnutrition.buzzsprout.com Connect with meInstagram doctimcroweFacebook Thinking NutritionX CroweTim

The establishment and development of the microbiome in the early stages of life can play a pivotal role in affecting our health throughout life. The formation of our microbiome happens during the perinatal period where it is influenced by the interaction between the microbiomes of mothers and infants. The microbial composition of breast milk plays an important part in this process. The microbiome of breast milk is also influenced by the gut microbiome of the mother through what is termed the gut-breast axis. In this podcast, I'll explore these mother-infant microbiome links and discover what the scientific evidence has to say about the potential for maternal probiotic supplements having a positive influence on the health of mother and infant.Links referred to in the podcastSystematic review on the effect of maternal probiotics on breastmilk and infant microbiomes and health https://www.ajogmfm.org/article/S2589-9333(23)00290-2/fulltextCochrane review on probiotics in reducing the risk of gestational diabetes https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD009951.pub3/fullEpisode transcriptTo access the full episode transcript, go to the following link and select the individual podcast episode and then click on the ‘Transcript’ tab https://thinkingnutrition.buzzsprout.comConnect with meInstagram doctimcroweFacebook Thinking NutritionX CroweTim

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common with women about 30 times more likely to develop one than men. The bacterial infection of a UTI can cause painful burning sensations when urinating, frequent and strong urges to urinate, and changes in the composition of the urine. Antibiotics are the most common first-line treatment for UTIs, but there is growing interest in the role that nutrition-related treatments can play in reducing the risk of developing a UTI in the first place. Enter the most common self-prescribed and best-researched treatment: the humble cranberry. In this podcast, I’ll look at the evidence for cranberries in all their forms for helping to reduce the risk of developing UTIs.Links referred to in the podcastCochrane review of cranberries and the risk of developing UTIs   https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD001321.pub6/fullEpisode transcriptTo access the full episode transcript, go to the following link and select the individual podcast episode and then click on the ‘Transcript’ tab https://thinkingnutrition.buzzsprout.comConnect with meInstagram: doctimcroweFacebook: Thinking NutritionTwitter: CroweTim

Tendons play a vital part in helping us move. They are a collagen-infused super-strong bridge that connects muscles to bones allowing you to move your limbs. When overused, overloaded or damaged, these same tendons can cause us a lot of pain and movement impairment. Outside of the well-defined medical treatments and physiotherapy rehabilitation programs that assist with recovering from tendon injuries, there has been growing interest in the role of specialised tendon-targeted nutritional supplements in aiding repair and recovery. And for good reason, hydrolysed collagen is a key component of many of these supplements. In this podcast, I’ll look at where the evidence stands for nutritional supplements helping with tendon healing.Links referred to in the podcastReview of nutritional supplements in the management of tendinopathy https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37146985Review of collagen peptide supplementation on joint injury and recovery https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8521576Collagen supplements: the science behind the health benefits https://www.thinkingnutrition.com.au/collagen-supplements-healthSystematic review of the effect of collagen supplements on skin ageing https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/15/9/2080Episode transcriptTo access the full episode transcript, go to the following link and select the individual podcast episode and then click on the ‘Transcript’ tab https://thinkingnutrition.buzzsprout.comConnect with meInstagram: doctimcroweFacebook: Thinking NutritionTwitter: CroweTim

Do you want to lose weight, boost your metabolism, improve your digestion, detox your body, and have glowing skin all while keeping your body nicely alkalised and in balance? You can. All you need do is start each day with a glass of water with the juice of a freshly squeezed lemon in it. I mean water is good for you. And lemons, being a fruit, are good for you. So why not combine the two and get a quantum level of health-boosting synergy? Okay, so now for a dose of reality as I explore the whole lemon water trend and pull apart those amazing health claims to see what is hype and what is reality. Links referred to in the podcastEffect of lemon juice on the glycaemic response to bread https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35013789Effect of lemon juice on kidney stone recurrence https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8683665Episode transcriptTo access the full episode transcript, go to the following link and select the individual podcast episode and then click on the ‘Transcript’ tab https://thinkingnutrition.buzzsprout.comConnect with meInstagram: doctimcroweFacebook: Thinking NutritionTwitter: CroweTim

In recent years, there has been a surge of interest in the potential negative health effects of lectins. What are lectins? They’re a type of protein found in many plant foods such as legumes, wholegrains and some fruits and vegetables. If you take YouTube clips and popular diet books on their word, then these lectins are harmful to human health and are a major driver of inflammation, weight gain and many chronic diseases. Of course, to believe all this, you need to suspend the reality that humans have been eating these foods for thousands of years and it is only in modern times that we have been hit with all these major health problems. But hey, we need to blame it all on something I guess and lectins seem like a great way to sell books and get website clicks. In this podcast, I’ll explore the role of lectins in the diet, the alleged health risks, and counter that with the health benefits of eating lectin-containing foods.Episode transcriptTo access the full episode transcript, go to the following link and select the individual podcast episode and then click on the ‘Transcript’ tab https://thinkingnutrition.buzzsprout.comConnect with meInstagram: doctimcroweFacebook: Thinking NutritionTwitter: CroweTim

It is something that all regular and not-so-regular exercisers have experienced: muscle pain and soreness in the days following a particularly hard training session. It is the price paid for the benefits exercise, especially resistance training, can have on growing muscle mass and strength, stability, glucose tolerance and bone density. The list of ways that people deal with exercise-induced muscle soreness is long, but in this podcast, I’ll explore one aspect. And that’s how protein helps with the recovery process and how it can be doing you good even if the aches and pains don’t feel any less.Links referred to in the podcastMeta-analysis on the effect of protein supplementation on exercise-induced muscle damage https://www.nature.com/articles/s41430-022-01250-yReview of protein timing https://jissn.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1550-2783-10-5Episode transcriptTo access the full episode transcript, go to the following link and select the individual podcast episode and then click on the ‘Transcript’ tab https://thinkingnutrition.buzzsprout.comConnect with meInstagram: doctimcroweFacebook: Thinking NutritionTwitter: CroweTim

Olive oil is a core staple in a Mediterranean-style diet. And it is for good reasons that it takes a central place as a ‘go to’ salad and cooking oil in kitchens around the world. In this age where too many foods are dubiously anointed with the title of ‘superfood’, extra virgin olive oil may just be one food deserving of this name in the oil category. In this podcast, I’ll look at the unique properties of olive oil and delve into what the scientific evidence says about its health benefits.Links referred to in the podcastOlive oil consumption and risk of cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2022.1041203/fullThe PREDIMED Study https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4030221Coconut oil consumption and cardiovascular disease risk https://academic.oup.com/nutritionreviews/article/74/4/267/1807413Episode transcriptTo access the full episode transcript, go to the following link and select the individual podcast episode and then click on the ‘Transcript’ tab https://thinkingnutrition.buzzsprout.comConnect with meInstagram: doctimcroweFacebook: Thinking NutritionTwitter: CroweTim

If you’re active on social media in the health and nutrition space, it’s very likely you’ve seen health advice over the last few years warning you about the evils of seed oils. These seed oils are toxic don’t you know? And they’re blamed for a whole host of health ills such as inflammation, lowered immunity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer and more. But the reality about seed oils is far less scary and there are few health concerns you need worry about. And likely quite a few health benefits to be gained by having them. In this podcast, I’ll look at what seed oils are, explain where all those health warnings have come from and put this all into context for what it means for your health and the foods you choose to eat.Links referred to in the podcastBlood levels of omega-6 fatty acids and cardiovascular disease https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30971107Cochrane review of omega-6 fatty acids and cardiovascular disease https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD011094.pub4/fullDietary fats and inflammatory markers in IBD https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33084958Episode transcriptTo access the full episode transcript, go to the following link and select the individual podcast episode and then click on the ‘Transcript’ tab https://thinkingnutrition.buzzsprout.comConnect with meInstagram: doctimcroweFacebook: Thinking NutritionTwitter: CroweTim

Nightshades are a group of plants that belong to the Solanaceae family. They include some very commonly eaten foods such as tomatoes, peppers, eggplants and potatoes. These foods have been eaten for centuries by many cultures around the world and are considered a staple food in many traditional diets. Despite this, if you go digging into ‘health and wellness’ advice on the Internet, you’ll sometimes come across health warnings about nightshades. Digestive issues and inflammation feature prominently. In this podcast, I explore the evidence for any health harms arising from eating nightshades and put this into context for the many health benefits that they also provide.Episode transcriptTo access the full episode transcript, go to the following link and select the individual podcast episode and then click on the ‘Transcript’ tab https://thinkingnutrition.buzzsprout.comConnect with meInstagram: doctimcroweFacebook: Thinking NutritionTwitter: CroweTim

From the common cold right through to the flu, it is something most people are faced with many times over in their life. And all of us could do with less coughing, sore throat, runny nose, body aches and fatigue in our lives. Our gut microbiota plays an important part in our immune system, so scientists for some years have looked at how changing our gut microbiota could influence respiratory tract infections. In this podcast, I’ll look at the current state of play for the role of supplemental probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics in tackling acute respiratory tract infections.Links referred to in the podcastSystematic review of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics for respiratory tract infections https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35948276Episode transcriptTo access the full episode transcript, go to the following link and select the individual podcast episode and then click on the ‘Transcript’ tab https://thinkingnutrition.buzzsprout.comConnect with meInstagram: doctimcroweFacebook: Thinking NutritionTwitter: CroweTim

What we eat is increasingly recognised as an important element in influencing fertility. With almost one in six couples experiencing fertility problems, knowing more about lifestyle factors such as diet that can alter this has major consequences. Most research in this area has focused on specific nutrients or food groups. But we don’t eat foods or nutrients - we eat whole diets which are described as dietary patterns. In this podcast episode, I profile new research into the area of dietary patterns and fertility to see what clues it can give to an optimal ‘fertility diet’.Links referred to in the podcastDietary patterns and fertility in two large cohorts https://ajcn.nutrition.org/article/S0002-9165(23)03668-7/fulltextEpisode transcriptTo access the full episode transcript, go to the following link and select the individual podcast episode and then click on the ‘Transcript’ tab https://thinkingnutrition.buzzsprout.comConnect with meInstagram: doctimcroweFacebook: Thinking NutritionTwitter: CroweTim

Food porn is all about posting and engaging with photos of desirable and stylised food on social media. And those digital images can do real things to our brains. Researchers are now digging below the surface level of social media trends and are exploring how the sharing of food porn images can influence the food choices we make. In this podcast, I look at how that influence can help nudge us in the direction of better food choices.Links referred to in the podcastCan food porn prime healthy eating? https://www.nature.com/articles/s41430-022-01139-wAssociation between indulgent descriptions and vegetable consumption: twisted carrots and dynamite beets https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2630753Episode transcriptTo access the full episode transcript, go to the following link and select the individual podcast episode and then click on the ‘Transcript’ tab https://thinkingnutrition.buzzsprout.comConnect with meInstagram: doctimcroweFacebook: Thinking NutritionTwitter: CroweTim

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an umbrella term that describes chronic inflammatory disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are the two most common forms of IBD. In recent years, research into the role of diet in the cause and treatment of IBD has been gaining traction. In this podcast episode, I look at some of that evolving research into potential dietary triggers linked to causing IBD as well as possible treatments for managing IBD with diet.Links referred to in the podcastReview of diet for IBD https://www.nature.com/articles/s41430-021-01051-9Faecal microbiota transplantation for the treatment of IBD https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2020.574533/fullEpisode transcriptTo access the full episode transcript, go to the following link and select the individual podcast episode and then click on the ‘Transcript’ tab https://thinkingnutrition.buzzsprout.comConnect with meInstagram: doctimcroweFacebook: Thinking NutritionTwitter: CroweTim

For decades, carbohydrates have been at the centre of sports nutrition guidelines to help maximise physical performance and maintain muscle glycogen levels. But interest in an alternative approach, that being very low-carbohydrate ketogenic diets, has been growing for some time. With the dual aim of reducing body fat and enhancing the use of fat as a primary fuel source during exercise, there are plenty of glowing social media testimonials attesting to the benefits of this way of eating for athletes. But the research evidence for some years has been painting a very different, and often, opposing picture. And that’s what I explore in this podcast episode when I look at the findings of a recent systematic review on the topic of how the keto diet performs on exercise performance and body composition in athletes and trained individuals. Links referred to in the podcastEffect of a ketogenic diet on performance and body composition in athletes and trained individuals https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35757868Episode transcriptTo access the full episode transcript, go to the following link and select the individual podcast episode and then click on the ‘Transcript’ tab https://thinkingnutrition.buzzsprout.comConnect with meInstagram: doctimcroweFacebook: Thinking NutritionTwitter: CroweTim