Solution to leg cramps

Hi Bruce, I have been meaning to answer this for a while. I was having quite a problem with leg cramps and I found my solution. I had to write a research paper for a course I'm taking and I finally submitted it tonight so I have some good answers (I hope). If my answers are no good, I have some good links to share which might help too. My problem was caused by a calcium deficiency. After putting up with cramps at every practice for 9 months and ingesting every known source of Potassium, I came across a table in my Chemistry text book that said Calcium deficiency resulted in muscle cramps and Potassium deficiency was responsible for muscle fatigue. I actually didn't believe it right away and thought it might be a mistake. When I googled 'muscle cramps" months earlier, everything came up Potassium related. So I googled "calcium and Muscle cramps" this time. I was really suprised by the results. Since deficiencies in both potassium and calcium ions can cause cramps, she should take a look at her diet and see if that is the cause. Three months before the cramps suddenly started, I went on a high protein/no dairy diet. What I thought would be a good diet for an athlete was the worst thing I could have done. Some things block calcium from being absorbed and some cause it to be flushed out in your urine. Calcium by its nature is highly reactive, so it can be affected by so many other things in the body that makes it hard to absorb. Overall, the excessive consumption of protein causes the depletion of calcium. The links below have more detail. here is something from the link: www.healthy.co.nz/.../1018-calcium-deficiency.html Is it easy for the body to absorb calcium? Many other factors influence the actual amount of calcium absorbed. When in need, the body absorbs calcium more effectively; therefore the greater the need and the smaller the dietary supply, the more efficient the absorption. Absorption is also increased during rapid periods of growth. Certain substances interfere with the absorption of calcium. When excess amounts of fat, protein or sugar combine with calcium an insoluble compound is formed which cannot be absorbed. Insufficient vitamin D intake or excess phosphorus and magnesium hinders the absorption of calcium. Oxalic acid found in chocolate, spinach, beet greens, swiss chard, soy beans, almonds, cashews, kale and rhubarb, when combined with calcium make another insoluble compound which may form into stones in the kidney or gall bladder. A typical diet should not cause this to happen. Large amounts of phytic acid present in unleavened grains may also inhibit absorption by the body. Other interfering factors include lack of exercise, physical and emotional stress, excitement, depression and too rapid a flow of food through the intestinal tract. Even moderate exercise encourages absorption. Drugs affecting absorption include caffeine, diuretics, fatty acids, fibre oxalates, glucocorticoids, fluoride, Mylanta, protein, thyroxine. Cortisol (or hydrocortisone) is the most important human glucocorticoid] carambola), black pepper, parsley, poppy seed, amaranth, spinach, chard, beets, cocoa, chocolate, most nuts, most berries, fishtail palms, New Zealand spinach (Tetragonia tetragonioides) and beans] What symptoms come with a deficiency of calcium? Calcium deficiencies are wide spread in human society with only 1/3 to ½ of the necessary requirements being consumed. One of the first signs of a deficiency is a nervous affliction called tetany, which is characterised by muscle cramps, numbness and tingling in the arms and legs. Other people who may be at risk for deficiencies are those who use antacids that contain aluminium; those who are alcohol drinkers; those on diets that are low calorie, high protein, or high fibre; those who are lactose intolerant; those who use cortisone; women who are pregnant and those who are basically inactive. Moderate cases of calcium deficiency may lead to cramps, joint pains, heart palpitations, increased cholesterol levels, slow pulse rates, insomnia, impaired growth, excessive irritability or nerves, muscle cramps, brittle nails, eczema and numbness of the arms and or legs. This was also interesting: Americans, whose calcium intake is among the highest in the world, also have one of the highest rates of osteoporosis. In any given population, the greater the intake of protein, the more common and more severe the incidence of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a condition caused by a number of factors, the most important of which is excess dietary protein. Low-protein diets create a positive calcium balance, and high-protein diets create a negative calcium balance. www.msu.edu/.../calcium protein.html arthritis.about.com/.../osteoporosis.htm However, protein also increases the body's need for calcium by increasing calcium excretion. Excess protein in the diet is used by the body for energy, just like fats and carbohydrates. However, as protein is burned for energy, it produces a chemical called sulfate, which the body excretes through the kidneys. Sulfate increases the excretion of calcium. here are some other good links I used: www.calciumdeficiency.co.uk/ www.jacn.org/.../119S.full Hope that helps.....

Hi Bruce, I have been meaning to answer this for a while. I was having quite a problem with leg cramps and I found my solution. I had to write a research paper for a course I'm taking and I finally submitted it tonight so I have some good answers (I hope). If my answers are no good, I have some good links to share which might help too. My problem was caused by a calcium deficiency. After putting up with cramps at every practice for 9 months and ingesting every known source of Potassium, I came across a table in my Chemistry text book that said Calcium deficiency resulted in muscle cramps and Potassium deficiency was responsible for muscle fatigue. I actually didn't believe it right away and thought it might be a mistake. When I googled 'muscle cramps" months earlier, everything came up Potassium related. So I googled "calcium and Muscle cramps" this time. I was really suprised by the results. Since deficiencies in both potassium and calcium ions can cause cramps, she should take a look at her diet and see if that is the cause. Three months before the cramps suddenly started, I went on a high protein/no dairy diet. What I thought would be a good diet for an athlete was the worst thing I could have done. Some things block calcium from being absorbed and some cause it to be flushed out in your urine. Calcium by its nature is highly reactive, so it can be affected by so many other things in the body that makes it hard to absorb. Overall, the excessive consumption of protein causes the depletion of calcium. The links below have more detail. here is something from the link: www.healthy.co.nz/.../1018-calcium-deficiency.html Is it easy for the body to absorb calcium? Many other factors influence the actual amount of calcium absorbed. When in need, the body absorbs calcium more effectively; therefore the greater the need and the smaller the dietary supply, the more efficient the absorption. Absorption is also increased during rapid periods of growth. Certain substances interfere with the absorption of calcium. When excess amounts of fat, protein or sugar combine with calcium an insoluble compound is formed which cannot be absorbed. Insufficient vitamin D intake or excess phosphorus and magnesium hinders the absorption of calcium. Oxalic acid found in chocolate, spinach, beet greens, swiss chard, soy beans, almonds, cashews, kale and rhubarb, when combined with calcium make another insoluble compound which may form into stones in the kidney or gall bladder. A typical diet should not cause this to happen. Large amounts of phytic acid present in unleavened grains may also inhibit absorption by the body. Other interfering factors include lack of exercise, physical and emotional stress, excitement, depression and too rapid a flow of food through the intestinal tract. Even moderate exercise encourages absorption. Drugs affecting absorption include caffeine, diuretics, fatty acids, fibre oxalates, glucocorticoids, fluoride, Mylanta, protein, thyroxine. Cortisol (or hydrocortisone) is the most important human glucocorticoid] carambola), black pepper, parsley, poppy seed, amaranth, spinach, chard, beets, cocoa, chocolate, most nuts, most berries, fishtail palms, New Zealand spinach (Tetragonia tetragonioides) and beans] What symptoms come with a deficiency of calcium? Calcium deficiencies are wide spread in human society with only 1/3 to ½ of the necessary requirements being consumed. One of the first signs of a deficiency is a nervous affliction called tetany, which is characterised by muscle cramps, numbness and tingling in the arms and legs. Other people who may be at risk for deficiencies are those who use antacids that contain aluminium; those who are alcohol drinkers; those on diets that are low calorie, high protein, or high fibre; those who are lactose intolerant; those who use cortisone; women who are pregnant and those who are basically inactive. Moderate cases of calcium deficiency may lead to cramps, joint pains, heart palpitations, increased cholesterol levels, slow pulse rates, insomnia, impaired growth, excessive irritability or nerves, muscle cramps, brittle nails, eczema and numbness of the arms and or legs. This was also interesting: Americans, whose calcium intake is among the highest in the world, also have one of the highest rates of osteoporosis. In any given population, the greater the intake of protein, the more common and more severe the incidence of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a condition caused by a number of factors, the most important of which is excess dietary protein. Low-protein diets create a positive calcium balance, and high-protein diets create a negative calcium balance. www.msu.edu/.../calcium protein.html arthritis.about.com/.../osteoporosis.htm However, protein also increases the body's need for calcium by increasing calcium excretion. Excess protein in the diet is used by the body for energy, just like fats and carbohydrates. However, as protein is burned for energy, it produces a chemical called sulfate, which the body excretes through the kidneys. Sulfate increases the excretion of calcium. here are some other good links I used: www.calciumdeficiency.co.uk/ www.jacn.org/.../119S.full Hope that helps.....