Originally published October 13 2005
More people are taking vitamins to fight night cramps
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Quinine, magnesium and calcium are three vitamins that can help relieve the pains that attack your legs at night, known as night cramps.
Night cramps is a condition resulting from a muscle spasm (from muscles that contract too hard).
It usually occurs in one of the calf muscles, below and behind a knee, which sometimes affects the toes.
The intensity of the pain varies with the individual and the muscle may feel sore up to 24 hours after a leg cramp.
What causes night cramps is not known but it is thought to be due to a muscle that is well contracted (or shortened) and further contraction leads to muscle spasm.
This is seen in the sleeping position whereby the knees bend slightly with both feet pointing downwards, causing the calf muscle to shorten and prone to spasm or cramps.
Leg cramps are seen more often in older people and the frequency of attacks varies from three times a week to a daily occurrence in some.
Over-exertion of muscle is a major contributor especially for those who exercise strenuously late in the evening combined with an imbalance of salt electrolytes due to excess sweating and dehydration.
Later stages of pregnancy, people on kidney dialysis and people with underactive thyroid function may also experience leg cramps as well as excessive consumption of alcohol.
From a nutritional aspect, an imbalance in minerals such as potassium, magnesium and calcium contributes to muscle cramping.
Non-dairy sources of calcium include leafy green vegetables, small-boned fish such as sardines, soya milk, orange juice, cereals, seeds, nuts and dried fruits.
Magnesium is found in dark green leafy vegetables, beans, tofu, seed and nuts.
Quinine (found in small amounts in tonic water) seems to help in relaxing muscles and is sometimes prescribed at higher doses by doctors for severe regular attacks of night cramps.
To prevent or reduce the frequency and severity of attacks, try regular stretching exercises of affected muscles.
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