Athletes are always on the lookout for a new sports supplement that could give them an edge. And there certainly are some sports supplements that deliver on their promises: creatine and caffeine are two clear examples. But a new supplement is starting to gain traction for its performance benefits: and that’s the humble mushroom. There's now emerging science suggesting that certain functional mushrooms, particularly the varieties of Cordyceps and reishi (also known as Ganoderma lucidum), may offer genuine benefits for endurance, recovery and immune function in athletes. In this podcast, I unpack the research behind these fungal supplements to see what's real, what's hype and whether these mushrooms deserve a spot in your supplement arsenal.

Links referred to in the podcast

• Review of the effect of mushroom supplementation on performance in athletes https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1670416/full

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If hearing that athletes are downing shots of beetroot juice to improve their performance makes you exclaim: “What sorcery is this?”, you’re not alone. But this isn’t just another passing fad - there’s some solid science showing that the nitrates found in beetroot juice can boost sports performance. From improving blood flow to enhancing muscle efficiency, beetroot juice has gained traction among endurance athletes and sprinters alike. In this podcast episode, I take a dive into what the research says about this vibrant supplement, its likely benefits, and what it might mean for your performance goals.

Links referred to in the podcast

• IOC consensus statement on dietary supplements and the high-performance athlete https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/52/7/439
• Review of beetroot juice and physical performance https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40573069
• Sports Dietitians Australia  www.sportsdietitians.com.au

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Cinnamon is a spice that has been used around the world for thousands of years. In addition to its use as a culinary ingredient, cinnamon contains bioactive compounds that have attracted attention for their potential health effects. One of these effects is how it can influence blood sugar levels which could have relevance for people with diabetes. In this podcast episode, I’ll look at what the clinical trials have to say on how cinnamon may help people with diabetes to keep their blood sugar levels under better control.

Links referred to in the podcast

• Review of cinnamon supplementation on metabolic markers in people with T2DM https://academic.oup.com/nutritionreviews/article-abstract/83/2/249/7699031

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Have you heard any of the buzz about NAD supplements? NAD is a molecule found in nearly every cell and sits at the heart of energy production and DNA repair. Our levels of NAD though can decline with age which has led to the idea that this could be one cause of many age-related diseases, chronic inflammation and cognitive decline. Enter the idea of boosting NAD levels by supplementing with NAD itself or its precursors called NMN and NR. A surface level reading of this topic will soon bring someone across all sorts of claims about benefits including extending lifespan, improving metabolic health and many more. In this podcast episode, I explain what these NAD family of molecules are and critique the clinical evidence to see how it stacks up in front of the health claims.

Links referred to in the podcast

• Review of effect of NR supplementation in humans https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adi4862
• Review of NMN and NR supplementation on muscle mass and function https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12022230

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Creatine is one of the most well-researched and effective sports nutrition supplements for improving exercise performance. But that isn’t what I’m going to talk about in this podcast episode. Instead, I want to give the spotlight to creatine’s new moment in the sun thanks to evolving research linking it to improving brain and bone health. And then tying all this together, I’ll profile why it may just be one supplement that women could especially benefit from over men during their reproductive lifespan and beyond.

Links referred to in the podcast

• Systematic review of creatine supplementation and cognitive function 2018 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6093191
• Systematic review of creatine supplementation and cognitive function 2022 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9999677
• Systematic review of creatine supplementation and cognitive function 2024 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11275561
• Clinical trial of creatine supplementation and CBT in the treatment of depression https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39488067
• Review of creatine supplementation and its applications for brain health https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10721691
• Dr Darren Candow on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dr.darrencandow
• Clinical trial of creatine supplementation on bone health in post-menopausal women https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10487398
• Creatine supplementation in women’s health: A lifespan perspective https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7998865

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Adopting a plant-based diet is a trend that continues to grow in popularity. However, for people focused on muscle growth and strength due to their athletic pursuits, there may be concerns about whether their muscle development and sports performance are being compromised by eating predominantly protein from plant foods. In this podcast episode, I’ll explore the fundamental differences between animal and plant-based proteins, discuss the primary supplements available for each type, and review recent research on the effect of these different protein sources on muscle growth, strength and physical performance.

Links referred to in the podcast

• Systematic review of animal vs plant protein on muscle mass, strength and physical performance https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39813010

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Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disorder characterised by high blood sugar levels due to insulin resistance or insufficient insulin production. It's a growing global health concern. While diet, exercise and medication form the cornerstone of diabetes management, researchers are continually exploring new avenues to improve blood sugar control. One such area gaining traction is the use of probiotics that can alter gut and metabolic health. But can these tiny microorganisms make a meaningful difference for people with type 2 diabetes? That’s what I explore in this episode.

Links referred to in the podcast

• Review of the effects of probiotics on glucose control in T2DM https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39349104

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Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal issue marked by abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhoea and constipation. This chronic condition can lead to anxiety, depression and a reduced quality of life. With no definitive trigger or treatment, managing IBS can be challenging. However, diet changes can positively influence IBS. In this podcast episode, I’ll outline evidence for various approaches, from supplements like probiotics right through to low-FODMAP diets.

Links referred to in the podcast

• Review of nutritional interventions in IBS https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39110917

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We’re all getting older and living longer lives than ever before. But as we age, we are faced with a higher risk of nutritional frailty. This is marked by unintentional weight loss, loss of muscle mass and strength which increases the likelihood of disability. In this podcast episode, I highlight how our nutrition needs change as we age and why a firm focus is needed in preserving muscle mass through a combination of resistance exercise and additional protein.

Links referred to in the podcast

• Review of protein supplementation combined with resistance training in older adults https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38753309

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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 podcast

• IOC Consensus Statement on dietary supplements for use by high-performance athletes https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/52/7/439
• Systematic review of creatine supplementation and body composition https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39074168

Episode transcript
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