#578: Creatine For Brain Health: Overhyped Trend or Science-based Intervention? – Prof. Eric Rawson

Sigma Nutrition Radio

Content provided by Danny Lennon. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Danny Lennon or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.

1M ago 52:30

MP3•Episode home

Creatine is best known as a sports supplement for enhancing muscle strength and high-intensity performance. But could it also improve brain health and cognitive function? Or are such claims overhyped?

If creatine can support brain health, it could have implications for aging, neurodegenerative diseases, concussion recovery, and mental fatigue.

In this podcast episode, Professor Eric Rawson discusses what current science says about creatine's effects on the brain, including memory, executive function, and protection against neurological stress.

Professor Rawson provides context on how creatine works in the body, why the brain might benefit, and what evidence exists so far.

Eric Rawson, PhD is Professor and Chair in the Department of Health, Nutrition & Exercise Science at Messiah University. For over twenty years, his research has centered on the interplay between nutrition and skeletal muscle, notably investigating how creatine supplementation affects both muscle and brain function.

Timestamps

[03:14] Understanding creatine: biochemistry and history
[07:55] Creatine supplementation and muscle performance
[09:35] Creatine and brain health: emerging research
[14:03] Measuring brain creatine: challenges and techniques
[19:58] Cognitive benefits of creatine supplementation
[26:23] Evaluating the evidence: caution and promise
[30:45] Mega dosing and brain health protocols
[32:04] Creatine for brain health: context matters
[38:54] Creatine for brain injury and aging
[51:25] Key ideas segment (Premium-only)

Related Resources

Join the Sigma email newsletter for free
Subscribe to Sigma Nutrition Premium
Enroll in the next cohort of our Applied Nutrition Literacy course
Links to related studies (see Related Resources section)

619 episodes

#Science #Fitness #Bodybuilding #Diet #Dietetics #Evidence #Evidencebased #Sigma #Training #Danny Lennon #Nutrition #Health and Well-Being