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Email a friendMinerals Squelch Nighttime Leg Cramps
Newspaper Columns, Herb & Home Remedy Q&A April 3, 2008
Q. When I was teaching elementary school, I spent many sleep-deprived nights because I was awakened with leg cramps so severe they took my breath away. I mentioned this to my mother, and she said, “Take calcium-magnesium.”
I was already taking calcium, but her doctor had told her it must be the combination supplement. I took this with a grain of salt, thinking, “I’ll try it; it won’t work.”
As you might have guessed, it did work. I continue to take calcium-magnesium each night and no longer have cramps. One exception: I bowled six games in succession and later that afternoon awoke from a nap with an excruciating cramp in my leg. I took three calcium-magnesium tablets with a glass of water and the cramps were soon gone. Others might like to know about this.
A. Thanks for the suggestion. Calcium, magnesium and potassium are all essential minerals for muscle function. Other readers have also had success preventing leg cramps with magnesium or calcium supplements. Taking them together is a good idea. Anyone who would like additional remedies for leg cramps can find them by searching our Web site www.peoplespharmacy.com.
Tags: calcium, leg cramps, magnesium
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Joe Graedon is a pharmacologist. Teresa Graedon holds a doctorate in medical anthropology and is a nutrition expert. Their syndicated radio show can be heard on public radio. In their column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. Write to them in care of this newspaper or e-mail them via their Web site: www.PeoplesPharmacy.com.
© 2008 King Features Syndicate, Inc.
Reader Comments
I play three sets of tennis two nights a week and normally exercise on other days. After my tennis games I drink a medium sized glass with half tonic water and half orange juice. The tonic water is most important to my 68 year old body since it contains quinine. The OJ has potassium and adds a little taste to my after game drink.
Posted by: jmc | April 4, 2008 7:06 AM
tumeric in yellow mustard or tumeric tea at bedtime may help re muscle cramps!
Posted by: mariane | April 4, 2008 10:45 AM
A trick I learned from an experience in giving plasma and having terrible cramps in intercostal muscles is to immediately on the onset of the cramp chew a mouthful (5 or 6)of Tums (I use the pleasant tasting "Smoothies")- it works every time ! I now keep them in my besdide stand for those leg and foot cramps I get occasionally. I also do take a Cal/Mag/Pot suppliment daily.
Posted by: VF | April 4, 2008 10:46 AM
I had a similar experience with monthly cramps. I spent summers with my aunt who was into nutrition. She gave me bone meal tablets, high in Calcium, and the belly cramps were gone in an hour. Later, I learned that Calcium is crucial to the muscle relaxation reaction at the cellular level. You need lots of D3 too, to make best use of Calcium.
Posted by: Barbara | April 4, 2008 2:55 PM
(Corrected version)I had very bad night leg cramps (maybe 4 muscles in ea leg cramped) over approx 2 years. Calcium supps took care of it, but my spine had decalcified seriously during this time (62 yr old male). Hence I now think of leg cramps as leading indicators of serious cal deficiency.
Posted by: Jim Hartzell | April 5, 2008 5:21 PM
I have recommended taking
potassium, in the form of V-8
juice for leg cramps. There
are at least 4 different V-8
mixes: the one I recommend
is the "low sodium" mix; (80mg) in a small (5.5ounce can)which incidently has the
highest potassium (570mg)--and
this is the key. one of the
5.5ounce cans a day should be
a big help. I drink it and have recommended to people
for cramps for years and the results have been excellent.
Posted by: dewey barton,M.D. retired | April 6, 2008 9:03 PM
Tonic water an hour before bed and a bar of soap under the sheet does the trick for me. No more leg cramps.
Posted by: Ruth Weiner | April 11, 2008 8:36 AM