Not Another Nutrition Podcast

In this episode, I talk about an often frustrating and difficult to navigate topic, giving nutrition advice to friends and family. I delve into the problems you may come across as a practitioner, or just someone that wants to help someone close to you and how to tackle these in a non judgemental and empathetic way.You can buy my PCOS talk on my website, use the coupon code FUPCOS to get the talk for £10 - www.martin-macdonald.com/product/pcos-management-talk References and links discussed can be found at www.Martin-MacDonald.com/Ep41TOPICS 02:46 - Should you work with friends and family members in a professional capacity04:39 - How to change your or someone you know's life for just £1006:46 - How to get your friends and family to buy into your advice13:56 - "People don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care"24:30 - Why empathy is the highest form of intelligence29:23 - Should I talk to my children about nutrition?

One big episode with all you need to know about BCAAs (Branch Chain Amino Acids). I discuss what they are, what they do, when it might be worth taking them & all the situations it is NOT worth taking them in!References for the studies discussed can be found at www.Martin-MacDonald.com/Ep40TOPICS01:41 - What are BCAAs and why do we need them in our diet?06:18 - Busting the common BCAA myths14:07 - What is the optimal amount of leucine?16:30 - Why BCAAs are the new viagra22:40 - The truth about BCAAs and DOMS26:38 - Do vegans need BCAAs?29:24 - Could BCAAs help the elderly? 

This episode is from my guest appearance on Paul Dermody's podcast: ’The Paul Dermody Podcast’. We discuss how MNU and MN School of Nutrition are filling gaps in the world of nutrition, the necessity of critical thinking, extreme nutrition cult followings, social justice, aggressive dieting & more!A mammoth episode! Enjoy!!References and links discussed can be found at www.Martin-MacDonald.com/Ep39TOPICS05:14 - How MNU filled a gap in the world of nutrition13:29 - The importance of having a fundamental understanding of nutrition19:50 - How to improve critical thinking through accepting your own bias36:40 - Why the anti-diet movement has become extremist01:1:23 - How 'cancel culture’ is affecting society01:15:16 - My experience with hate on social media and how I overcome it01:34:40 - The benefits of and misconceptions around aggressive dieting

This episode is from my guest appearance on Kate Neudeckers Podcast: ’The Fitness Mindset Podcast’.We discuss how the pandemic has affected peoples attitude to nutrition. It gets pretty deep at times! We delve into guilt, stress, gratitude, stoicism & more.We also discuss PCOS, when to begin a fat loss phase and how to avoid misinformation and charlatans on social media.References and links discussed can be found at www.Martin-MacDonald.com/Ep38TOPICS01:55 - When is it right to use tough love?11:05 - The story behind the creation of the MN School of Nutrition22:13 - Strategies for coping with stress and dealing with guilt42:10 - How to assess if it's the right time for you to start a fat loss phase47:50 - PCOS and how to differentiate between the good and bad information01:04:12 - Stoicism & Gratitude as tools for happiness

The final episode! 20+ quick fire listener questions all answered! More than ever I hope the timepoints below will prove useful for you!References and links discussed can be found at www.Martin-MacDonald.com/Ep37TOPICS 01:18 - Why does creatine have such a bad reputation?06:05 - What can I take creatine with to increase absorption?07:04 - Should I avoid creatine and glutamine together?07:18 - If I take creatine with sodium, will it increase intracellular uptake?09:04 - I've heard great things about CreGAAtin! What's your opinion?10:40 - Creatine and Libido11:55 - Does creatine have an impact on your mood?13:22 - Is there a difference between men and women for water retention?14:10 - Does water retention last for the whole duration of supplementing?14:17 - How much weight will I gain when using creatine?14:54 - Why are my clients getting headaches?15:39 - Can I take creatine if I have Type 2 Diabetes?16:19 - Should I use creatine during Ramadan?16:58 - Can creatine help with fatigue and the effects of long Covid?17:38 - I get really bloated and gassy taking creatine and inositol, am I taking too much?18:19 - What effect does creatine have on PCOS?19:47 - Are there any benefits to taking creatine during the menopause?20:26 - Can it make your skin tingle?20:41 - Is creatine an anabolic steroid?20:45 - Can vegans get the same benefits from creatine as vegetarians do?21:26 - Should you take creatine when on an aggressive cut?

In this episode, we reach the pinnacle of the creatine series! I discuss exactly how to work out HOW MUCH creatine YOU need. I tell you exactly WHEN you need to take it. I also discuss a couple of things to avoid!References for the studies discussed can be found at www.Martin-MacDonald.com/Ep36TOPICS00:50 - How exactly I put creatine in my mouth03:40 - How to work out exactly HOW MUCH creatine YOU need06:37  - The two effective strategies for Creatine loading14:40 - The optimal time to take creatine 19:21 - The truth about taking creatine & caffeine together24:10 - Should you cycle your creatine27:20 - Responders vs Non responders

In this episode I give you the final word on the hot topics of hair loss & acne. I also discuss all of the evidence & nuance around using creatine during pregnancy & whilst breastfeeding. I also give some interesting insights into how to stop creatine upsetting your stomach & how it might actually help gut health!! This is a good one not to be missed!References for the studies discussed can be found at www.Martin-MacDonald.com/Ep35TOPICS01:09 - Does creatine lead to hair loss?06:53 - Creatine, skin health and acne09:08 - How to optimise your creatine dose for a happy gut16:34 - What you should know about taking creatine in pregnancy24:09 - Can you take creatine whilst breastfeeding? 26:31 - Can children benefit from creatine?

In this episode, I respond to three of the most common questions/concerns surrounding creatine. I discuss the issue/stigma around creatine & water retention plus address concerns relating to dehydration, injury, cramping & the big one - kidney damage!References for the studies discussed can be found at www.Martin-MacDonald.com/Ep34TOPICS 02:43 - Does creatine cause water retention?11:16 - Should you be consuming more water?15:05 - Creatine, dehydration and muscle cramps19:43 - Will supplementing with creatine damage your kidneys?28:54 - Creatine and Type 2 Diabetes

Hopefully you've realised by now, creatine is not just for gym-goers. It's an evidence-based supplement for athletes, young and old. Not only can it help with endurance (especially in the heat!) and team sports performance it can also be beneficial around rehabilitation from injury! Is there anything it can't do!?  References and links discussed can be found at www.Martin-MacDonald.com/Ep33TOPICS04:38  - What creatine ACTUALLY does!07:49 - Can creatine actually make you last longer?14:14 - Creatine stops the detriments associated with a lack of sleep!20:11 - Creatine and weight gain27:30 - Creatine, endurance performance & rectal thermometers37:39 - Is there any point in creatine when you’re injured? 

In this episode, I talk about how taking creatine affects the health of older people and the concept of ‘life is the training stimulus’. I discuss the amazing effects it can have on the older brain but reveal whether it is even safe for them to take. Reference and links discussed can be found at www.Martin-MacDonald.com/Ep32TOPICS02:25 - Is creatine ageist? 06:08 - The use of 'relative' dosing with creatine06:54 - You don't even have to exercise for creatine to make you stronger11:55 - The safety of creatine in older populations13:10 - Creatine can benefit the ageing brain