Vitamins B1, B12, and D may help relieve them, along with potassium and magnesium.
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)
Vitamin B1 deficiency can cause heavy and tired legs after running, muscle cramps, fatigue, and odd sensations in your legs and feet. Some foods rich in vitamin B1 include whole grains, vegetables, legumes, milk products, and meat.
Answer: There is some evidence that vitamin D, vitamin B6, vitamin B-12, potassium, curcumin, tart cherry juice, omega-3 fatty acids, and taurine may be beneficial for certain types of muscle pain or leg cramps in some people.
Vitamin B12deficiency symptoms may include: strange sensations, numbness, or tingling in the hands, legs, or feet. difficulty walking (staggering, balance problems)
For muscles to contract properly, they need assistance from essential vitamins and minerals like Calcium, Magnesium, Iron, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sodium Chloride, and vitamins like Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, Vitamin D and Vitamin K. Each of these nutrients plays a significant role in healthy muscle contraction.
Since magnesium plays a role in neuromuscular transmission and muscle contraction, it has been hypothesised that magnesium deficiency may predispose to muscle cramps. Thus magnesium supplements are often recommended to prevent cramps.
Most leg pain results from wear and tear or overuse. It also can result from injuries or health conditions in joints, bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons, nerves or other soft tissues. Some types of leg pain can be traced to problems in your lower spine.
Key points about vitamin B12 deficiency anemia
Symptoms include weak muscles, numbness, trouble walking, nausea, weight loss, irritability, fatigue, and increased heart rate. Treatment may include vitamin B12 supplements. It is also important to eat a well-balanced diet.
Vitamin D can be used to help patients suffering from muscle pain or weakness. Providing Vitamin D supplementation can also prove to be beneficial for the elderly since they are more prone to suffering from falls.
Vitamin D and how it can help in Pain Management
New research has proven that low levels of Vitamin D can play a significant role in making joint and muscle problems worse.
If you have too much vitamin D in your blood, it will cause extra calcium absorption. This, in turn, can lead to symptoms like muscle pain, mood disorders, abdominal pain, frequent urination and kidney stones.
Make an appointment with your health care provider if:
You have pain during or after walking. You have swelling in both legs. Your pain gets worse. Your symptoms don't get better after a few days of treating them at home.
The sensation of heavy legs, also known as venous insufficiency, is related to poor circulation. It occurs when blood flow from the legs to the heart is impaired, causing the heaviness.
Muscle fatigue – too much high-intensity exercise is one of the most common links to leg pain, as overworking your muscles can cause them to cramp during the night. Nerve issues – a pinched nerve or spinal cord injury can put pressure on your nerves, causing muscle cramps in your legs.
Magnesium deficiency is diagnosed via a blood test and sometimes a urine test. Your doctor may order the blood test if you have symptoms such as weakness, irritability, abnormal heart rhythm, nausea and/or diarrhoea, or if you have abnormal calcium or potassium levels.
How much magnesium should I take for leg cramps? You should try your best to avoid a magnesium deficiency. For adults aged 19-51, the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of magnesium is 400-420 mg per day for men and 310-320 mg for women. Pregnancy changes the calculation slightly, upping the RDA to 350-360 mg.
Very low magnesium levels may cause:
Nighttime leg cramps. Numbness or tingling in the legs or hands. General body weakness. Tremors.