Muscle cramping can be caused by either muscle fatigue or low mineral levels. Magnesium is often used to help.
Magnesium To Reduce Cramps – Cramps can be a common problem for many people and we hope the following assists you. If pain persists, please contact us to discuss.
Mechanism of cramping
Muscle cramping can be caused by muscle fatigue or low level of minerals include sodium, potassium and magnesium. Magnesium is one of the most commonly used supplements to prevent cramping.
Why is magnesium important?
Magnesium play an important role in neurotransmission which control the contraction of muscle. As a result, a deficiency of magnesium is hypothesized to be one of the causes of muscle cramping.
What did the research say about the effectiveness of magnesium supplement?
A randomised controlled trial conducted by Sheila Sills and her colleagues in 2002 has compared the effectiveness of magnesium supplement and placebo treatment.
The study includes 46 volunteers who suffer regular leg cramps and the result suggested that the individuals who take magnesium supplement tend to have less frequent leg cramp than those who doesn’t.
Should I be taking magnesium?
Although the study above did support the use of magnesium, we recommend you consult your doctor before taking mineral supplements to ensure the cause of your cramps is targeted accurately.
Reference: Sills, S., Roffe, C., Crome, P., & Jones, P. (2002). Randomised, cross-over, placebo controlled trial of magnesium citrate in thetreatment of chronic persistent leg cramps. Medical Science Monitor, 8(5), CR326-CR330.