Since magnesium plays a role in neuromuscular transmission and muscle contraction, it has been hypothesised that
Too little potassium, calcium or magnesium in the diet can cause leg cramps. Medicines often prescribed for high blood pressure can cause increased urination, which may drain the body of these minerals.
Very low magnesium levels may cause:
Nighttime leg cramps. Numbness or tingling in the legs or hands. General body weakness. Tremors.
Potassium. Potassium helps maintain normal cell function in the body, particularly in the nerves and muscles. It is relatively common for people to have a potassium deficiency. However, if a person has a severe deficiency , they may experience symptoms such as leg cramps.
You probably know that bananas are a good source of potassium. But they'll also give you magnesium and calcium. That's three out of four nutrients you need to ease muscle cramps tucked under that yellow peel. No wonder bananas are a popular, quick choice for cramp relief.
Ask the doctor
Q. It's been suggested that drinking 2 to 3 ounces of tonic water before bedtime can prevent leg cramps at night.
Magnesium deficiency can cause: loss of appetite. nausea and vomiting. fatigue and weakness.
confusion. constipation. an abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia) – skipped heartbeats or an irregular heartbeat. tingling or numbness.
A significant body of research has found that increasing your magnesium intake can help with the frequency of night time leg cramps, especially for pregnant women. Health experts recommend getting at least 300 milligrams of magnesium each day.
Causes of leg cramps
putting too much strain on muscles during exercise, which can be worse in hot or humid weather. pregnancy (usually in the later stage) certain medicines, for example medicine for lowering cholesterol (statins) or high blood pressure (diuretics) not drinking enough fluids (dehydration)
You can test your magnesium levels by purchasing a simple at-home finger prick test kit which is then analysed at an accredited lab. Forth offers a number of blood tests which include magnesium such as our Nutri-check test and Menopause Health blood test.
A low potassium level can make muscles feel weak, cramp, twitch, or even become paralyzed, and abnormal heart rhythms may develop. The diagnosis is based on blood tests to measure the potassium level. Usually, eating foods rich in potassium or taking potassium supplements by mouth is all that is needed.
Can I take the test at home? You can take a potassium test at home, either with a blood or urine sample. If using a 24-hour urine test, you will need to collect your urine wherever you are during the day. For blood tests, you often need to visit a local laboratory to have your sample collected.
Refining or processing of food may deplete magnesium content by nearly 85%. Furthermore, cooking, especially boiling of magnesium-rich foods, will result in significant loss of magnesium. The processing and cooking of food may therefore explain the apparently high prevalence of low magnesium intake in many populations.
Vitamin D and Calcium Deficiency are the prime reasons to cause muscle cramps and joint pains. It is important for each of us to know our vitamin levels in the body so that accordingly we can take supplements, and special nutrients to our diet and most importantly if required, seek medical help.
Apply heat or cold.
Use a warm towel or heating pad on tense or tight muscles. Taking a warm bath or directing the stream of a hot shower onto the cramped muscle also can help. Rubbing the sore muscle with ice also might relieve pain.
The cramp usually goes away after a few minutes. Take a warm shower or bath to relax the muscle. Some people find that a heating pad placed on the muscle can also help. Others get relief by rubbing the calf with an ice pack.