Leg Cramps

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Usually people associate leg cramps with the term “charley-horse,” which are painful sensations of tightness and tension in the muscles of the leg. There are three primary areas where uncomfortable cramping may occur. These are the calf, the foot, and the thigh. Nocturnal leg cramps are muscle pains that occur during the night, disturbing normal sleep.

Nocturnal leg cramps predominantly affect the elderly and pregnant women, two groups that tend to have relatively poor blood circulation in the limbs, although they can afflict individuals of any age group.

Dehydration from not drinking enough water may be the cause of nocturnal leg cramps. Water is important for transporting vitamins, minerals, and other substances throughout the body. Drinking soda, coffee or alcohol does not hydrate, since they are diuretics and end up dehydrating a person even further. Muscles need hydration to function properly; without it cramping is more likely to occur. That is why athletes who do not replenish water lost from sports and exercise end up with a charley-horse. Likewise, low water intake in an otherwise sedentary person can cause muscle twitches during sleep.

Another reason for nocturnal leg cramps is mineral deficiencies. Low levels of potassium, and magnesium are cited as causal factors of nocturnal leg cramps. While they can all be found in things we eat, some foods lose mineral levels when processed or refined. For example, nearly 85% of magnesium in grains is lost when finely milled.

Milk and other dairy products may actually cause leg cramps by giving you too much calcium in ratio to phosphorus, magnesium and potassium.

Another mineral easily depleted is potassium, which is the most important mineral regarding muscle activity, serving as an electrolyte in the body and helping to balance body fluids. It also plays an essential role in muscle control and acts as a co-factor in muscle building.

Home Remedy to increase potassium: Cream of tartar is a potassium salt derived from grapes during the wine making process.

Fill a glass with warm water.

Cut a lemon or lime and squeeze the juice into your glass of water.

Add 2 tsp. cream of tartar to your juice/water mixture and stir well.

Drink this mixture once a day for three days. Rest for two days, then repeat again for three days if symptoms continue.

To combat nocturnal leg cramps, there are several criteria to check. Make sure that your intake of magnesium and potassium are at sufficient levels. Potassium-rich foods in your diet should include bananas, broccoli, cantaloupe, and citrus fruits. Also, try to eliminate or reduce caffeine and sugar from your daily regimen. Check that you are properly hydrated by drinking  32 oz. or more of distilled water with ShopFreeMart Hydration Drops added daily.

Nocturnal leg cramps can be associated with lack of magnesium. Calcium is the mineral that contracts the muscles and Magnesium and Boron are the minerals that allows muscles to relax. Too much Calcium in ratio to Magnesium can result in cramping. Regularly taking ShopFreeMart Pure Mag Concentrate and drinking plenty of ShopFreeMart Hydration Drops before going to bed completely eliminated my leg cramps.

A sudden onset of leg cramps can often be immediately relieved by taking Pure Mag Concentrate under the tongue and rubbing Pure Mag Concentrate topically into the cramped muscle and then following up with a large glass of Hydration Drops.

If that doesn’t totally do the trick, then add ShopFreeMart D-Cal Boron and try taking some cream of tartar also.

Finally, relieving any current discomfort with local massage, movement, or heat may help you avoid nocturnal leg cramps. For massage, rub the site of the tension in a circular rhythm to loosen the muscle tension beneath the skin. Stretch the calf muscles by holding your toes, pulling them up toward your knee and extending the leg straight out. This will exhaust the stretch reflex before you go to bed. If pain persists, apply a heat compress for about 10 minutes or take a warm bath or shower.

Artificial sweeteners like Aspartame and Sugar are a major cause of muscle cramps. Poor Circulation is also a major cause of leg cramps. Dehydration and lack of Salt may also cause muscle cramps. Magnesium may also be helpful for leg cramps.

Toxins in the body are also an underlying cause of all health problems. Taking hot baths using 1-2 Tbs. of NVIRO soap can help remove toxins.

Epsom salt can be added to your bath, which may also help reduce leg cramps.

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