TLDR:

• A study investigated creatine monohydrate supplementation for recovery from exercise-induced muscle damage, involving participants taking 3g daily.

• Findings showed enhanced recovery of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) and reduced muscle fatigue in the creatine group.

• Creatine may promote muscle recovery, potentially benefiting athletes and general fitness practitioners, with a possible sex-specific effect in females regarding extracellular water.

If you like what you see here, check out our board-approved continuing education courses for PTs. We cover topics like:

- Nutrition interventions for chronic diseases (e.g., obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases)

- Advanced nutritional strategies to support physical therapy for patients with metabolic disorders

- Case studies demonstrating successful integration of nutrition into physical therapy care plans

Each physical therapy CEU course emphasizes practical, evidence-based learning, ensuring tha...

 TLDR:

• A study on 11 active males found that supplementing with branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) improved the body's ability to metabolize fats and carbohydrates, leading to an 11% increase in exercise efficiency.

• Subjective feelings of fatigue in the participants decreased by 24%, which correlated with a 19% reduction in post-exercise ammonia levels, a chemical linked to central fatigue.

• The research also noted a 41% decrease in post-exercise insulin, suggesting BCAAs may improve aerobic function and reduce fatigue during endurance activities.
  
  

If you like what you see here, check out our board-approved continuing education courses for PTs. We cover topics like:

- Nutrition interventions for chronic diseases (e.g., obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases)

- Advanced nutritional strategies to support physical therapy for patients with metabolic disorders

- Case studies demonstrating successful integration of nutrition into physical therapy care plans

Ea...

 TLDR:

• A new supplement called HelioCare containing Polypodium leucatomos is out.
• Dr. Wells researched this compound and found a 2025 study where it was used in a syrup and demonstrated a 24% reduction in skin redness from UVB exposure, acting like an SPF of 4.
• Dr. Wells suggests this compound could be beneficial for individuals with sun sensitivity or a history of skin cancers, highlighting its potential to mitigate sun damage internally, something relevant for sport and generalist PTs.

If you like what you see here, check out our board-approved continuing education courses for PTs. We cover topics like:

- Nutrition interventions for chronic diseases (e.g., obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases)

- Advanced nutritional strategies to support physical therapy for patients with metabolic disorders

- Case studies demonstrating successful integration of nutrition into physical therapy care plans

Each physical therapy CEU course emphasizes practical, evidence-based learnin...

The TLDR:

• SAMe for Osteoarthritis: The supplement SAMe ($S$-adenosylmethionine) shows emerging evidence of benefiting those with osteoarthritis by stimulating cartilage production and reducing joint inflammation and stiffness, with some studies showing its effects are comparable to anti-inflammatory drugs.
• Dual Benefit with Depression: SAMe also functions as a powerful antidepressant, with effectiveness similar to tricyclic antidepressants. This presents a potential dual-action treatment for osteoarthritis patients, who often experience depression due to chronic pain and reduced mobility.
• Need for Further Research in Physical Therapy: Current studies are limited because they don't compare SAMe supplementation against physical therapy interventions like exercise. More research is needed to understand how to integrate SAMe into a comprehensive rehabilitation plan.

If you like what you see here, check out our board-approved continuing education courses for PTs. We cover topics li...

The TLDR:

• Methylene blue is a synthetic compound originally used as a dye, which also has FDA-approved medical uses as an intravenous drug (ProvayBlue) to raise blood pressure in critical care situations by suppressing nitric oxide pathways.
• It is now being marketed as a supplement for anti-aging, energy, and cognitive enhancement, but current research shows minimal and inconclusive evidence for these benefits, with only a small, potentially placebo-level boost in short-term memory.
• A significant risk is that methylene blue acts as an MAO inhibitor and can cause life-threatening serotonin syndrome if taken with common antidepressant medications like SSRIs, making it crucial for individuals, especially those on such medications, to consult a physician before use.
  
  

If you like what you see here, check out our board-approved continuing education courses for PTs. We cover topics like:

- Nutrition interventions for chronic diseases (e.g., obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases...

The TLDR:

• This study compared two diet plans over a 12-month period to see which one was more effective for weight loss: 4:3 intermittent fasting (eating normally for four days and significantly reducing calories for three non-consecutive days) and daily calorie restriction (reducing calorie intake by the same amount every day).
• The participants were adults with overweight or obesity. Both groups also received behavioral weight loss support.
• The results showed that the 4:3 intermittent fasting plan led to a slightly greater amount of weight loss compared to the daily calorie restriction plan, but other studies show some conflicting results.
  
  

If you like what you see here, check out our board-approved continuing education courses for PTs. We cover topics like:

- Nutrition interventions for chronic diseases (e.g., obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases)

- Advanced nutritional strategies to support physical therapy for patients with metabolic disorders

- Case studies demon...

The TLDR: 

• This 6-week study examined if high protein intake could help 12 resistance-trained athletes on a 25% calorie deficit diet preserve muscle and physical performance.
• Higher protein intake (up to ~2.2g/kg) offered no significant advantage over lower intakes (~1.2g/kg) for retaining fat-free mass, losing fat, or maintaining performance. All groups successfully reduced fat mass and increased upper body strength.
•  The findings suggest that the standard ACSM protein recommendation of 1.2-1.7g/kg is sufficient for dieting athletes who are resistance training. The study also noted that the athletes' metabolisms slowed more than expected, irrespective of protein consumption.

If you like what you see here, check out our board-approved continuing education courses for PTs. We cover topics like:

- Nutrition interventions for chronic diseases (e.g., obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases)

- Advanced nutritional strategies to support physical therapy for patients with metab...

The TLDR: 

• Protein-enriched ultra-processed foods (UPFs) led to lower calorie intake and higher energy expenditure compared to standard UPFs in a short-term study.

• Despite these effects, protein-enriched UPFs did not prevent overeating, showing only modest improvement in overall energy balance.

• Hormonal responses suggested better appetite regulation and nutrient partitioning with the high-protein UPF diet.

If you like what you see here, check out our board-approved continuing education courses for PTs. We cover topics like:

- Nutrition interventions for chronic diseases (e.g., obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases)

- Advanced nutritional strategies to support physical therapy for patients with metabolic disorders

- Case studies demonstrating successful integration of nutrition into physical therapy care plans

Each physical therapy CEU course emphasizes practical, evidence-based learning, ensuring that participants can immediately apply the skills to th...

The TLDR: 

• Beetroot juice supplementation increased nitrate and nitrite levels in a dose-dependent manner, but this did not translate into improved performance in resistance exercises like squats, bench press, or countermovement jumps.

• No dose of dietary nitrate (low, moderate, or high) enhanced resistance training performance in resistance-trained men compared to a placebo.

• Only the low-dose nitrate condition showed a significant correlation between increased blood nitrite and improved squat power and velocity, suggesting a possible narrow performance window that warrants further investigation.

If you like what you see here, check out our board-approved continuing education courses for PTs. We cover topics like:

- Nutrition interventions for chronic diseases (e.g., obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases)

- Advanced nutritional strategies to support physical therapy for patients with metabolic disorders

- Case studies demonstrating successful integration...

Why Breakfast Timing Might Matter More Than You Think: What PTs Should Know About Metabolism and Meal Timing

As physical therapists, we understand the importance of movement, but what about meal timing? A new study sheds light on how the timing of breakfast—not just whether you eat it—can significantly impact blood sugar regulation later in the day, particularly in adolescent girls.

The Study at a Glance

Researchers looked at how eating breakfast early (8:30 a.m.), late (10:30 a.m.), or skipping it altogether affected blood sugar after lunch. The study included 15 girls around age 13 who didn’t usually eat breakfast. They ate a carb-rich breakfast and lunch on test days, separated by a 3–30 day washout period.

Here’s what they found:

• Before lunch: Blood sugar and insulin levels were higher when breakfast was eaten (early or late) versus skipping it.

• After lunch: Girls who ate a late breakfast had lower blood sugar levels than those who ate early or skipped breakfast.

...