Sideline Science: Does REDs Exist?

In this inaugural episode of Sideline Science, Kaleigh Steelman is joined by Sports Pharmacy Network star Nilhan Uzman for a quick journal-club style review of the 2024 article “Does Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs) Syndrome Exist?”Together, we briefly break down the authors’ main arguments surrounding REDs, low energy availability (LEA), and the challenges of diagnosing REDs in athletes. We also touch on the idea that many symptoms commonly associated with REDs may be multifactorial and influenced by factors beyond energy intake alone.This episode is designed to provide concise, clinically relevant takeaways for sports healthcare professionals looking to stay current on emerging conversations in athlete health and performance.As a reminder, the information provided by the Sports Pharmacy Network is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.Reference:Jeukendrup AE, Areta JL, Van Genechten L, et al. Does Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs) Syndrome Exist?Sports Medicine. 2024;54:2793–2816.Athlete Health and Readiness Checklist: https://cdn.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/blobs/af59/11561064/b9f4a726c76a/40279_2024_2108_Fig4_HTML.jpg