Women's sports supplements: what every athlete needs to know with Dr. Susan Kleiner

Dr. Erin Ayala talks with Dr. Susan Kleiner, a pioneering high‑performance sports dietitian, to cut through the noise surrounding women’s sports supplements.

She debunks common myths about creatine, explains why under‑fueling is a hidden threat for female athletes, and shows how to spot fraudulent supplement brands. Listeners will leave with clear, science‑backed strategies to optimize performance and make smarter supplement choices.

• Creatine does not cause bloating; the myth is marketing, not science.
• Women need tailored dosing and timing for supplements based on menstrual cycle and training demands.
• Under‑fueling—especially low‑carb diets—remains the biggest performance risk for female athletes.
• Always verify third‑party certification on the product label (BSCG, NSF for Sport, Informed Choice, etc.) before purchasing.
• Use reputable resources and experts (e.g., Dr. Abby Smith Ryan, Dr. Stacy Sims) for evidence‑based nutrition guidance.

Dr. Susan Kleiner is Registered Dietitian, high‑performance dietitian, author of Power Eating, co‑founder of the International Society of Sport Nutrition, and former nutrition consultant for elite teams such as the Seattle Storm (WNBA) and Seattle Rain (soccer). Dr. Kleiner’s website: https://www.drskleiner.com/

BSCG certification: http://bscg.org/

NSF for Sport: https://www.nsfsport.com/

Informed Choice: https://choice.wetestyoutrust.com/

Dr. Abbie Smith-Ryan: https://asmithryan.com/

International Society of Sport Nutrition: https://www.sportsnutritionsociety.org/

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