ANSWERS: 10
  • It is indeed possible that lack of potassium can lead to cramps. Eat potato peels, or bananas.
  • That was what my doctor told me when I was experiencing a lot of cramping and he told me to eat a banana every day! It worked. Or at least I think that's why they stopped.
  • yes... that thing where one toe folds over top of the other and feels like it is trying to snap it off is the only thing my feet like less than going to sleep.
  • Yes, leg cramps, chest pains and other numerous problems including strokes.
  • Yes cause I have that problem. Drinking Power Ade or eating a banana helps me. I get SEVERE muscles cramps in the night if I don't keep up on it. +5
  • Yes it's true, but not all of them. Sometimes just eating a banana each day is enough to stop those cramps. But what I do when I get those leg cramps is to press in the space between the bottom of my nose and my upper lip, in the center there, it should be a little indentation. I press there with my index finger and try to make a right angle with my ankle, pressing my heel down and toe towards my head and it will go away real quick. It's an acupressure point that is almost like a release for that part of the body.
  • So why are these three minerals so important to your body in helping or even preventing cramps? Magnesium is an essential mineral that is involved in several hundred enzymatic reactions in our bodies, but in reference to nocturnal leg cramps, it has an even bigger role. Approximately 26% of all magnesium in our bodies is found in our muscles, and the rest is in soft tissues and body fluids that are activated by water. Magnesium's largest role is in relaxing our muscles after calcium has stimulated them. This mineral is often referred to as a natural tranquilizer due to its therapeutic effects on both muscles and the nervous system. Besides helping with leg cramps, it also helps you to sleep better. Magnesium is found abundantly in grains, but 85% of the nutrient is lost in the milling process of the grains that we eat. Calcium deficiency is the leading cause of muscle tremors and twitching in muscles, and calcium is often referred to as the trigger for all muscle contractions. It serves a major role in the formation of all actions in the motor end plates of muscles as well as muscle contraction activities. Although milk and dairy products are rich sources of calcium, there are some issues with these products because the phosphorus levels in dairy products deplete calcium levels as well as depleting potassium levels. Potassium is the final mineral to play a critical role with your muscles and leg cramps as its major function in the body is to assist with both muscle and nerve transmission. When movement of potassium is blocked or not transmitted properly by a lack of water, both muscle and nerves become compromised. Potassium also is involved in the storage of carbohydrates for the use by our muscles for fuel and a deficiency of this mineral can lead to muscle weakness, fatigue, and cramping. Quinine has also been shown to be effective for leg cramps, but there are so many side affects and so many issues with the FDA, that it would be wise to avoid anything with quinine in it. Hydrating yourself properly is critical if you experience a lot of leg cramps, but the key is properly. Hydrating with liquids such as alcohol, caffeine drinks like coffee and the ever popular energy drinks, and soft drinks are all diuretics, which are agents that cause even more dehydration in the body. Hydrating properly means to drink water. Every cell in the body must have water including muscles, which are considered active tissues in your body. Water is also essential for moving and transporting minerals properly throughout our bodies.
  • True for sure, however let's not only blame poor potassium for it, a sedentary life style, lack of physical activity, cold climate...can all cause cramps.

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