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DISORDERS
(Their description, characteristics or symptoms,
causes, and complementary or alternative treatments)
Disorder: MUSCLE CRAMPS
Description: A muscle cramp is defined as an involuntary contraction of a muscle.
Symptoms: Tightness, discomfort, pain and sometimes tingling and burning are associated with areas in which the muscle tone has become excessive and/or the muscles are impinging on the associated tissues or nerves.
Incidence: Everyone sometime during his or her life experiences muscle cramping. People who sit most of the day, do not exercise regularly, have poor posture and poor circulation are more susceptible to muscle cramps. Muscle cramps occurring at night and affecting the legs, especially the calf muscles and feet, are more frequent in elderly people.
Causes: Common causes are insufficient exercise, low thyroid, deficiency in iron (anemia), magnesium, calcium, vitamin E, folic acid, dietary imbalances, excessive coffee consumption, maladjustment of the spine or local area, stress, poor circulation, problems secondary to disease such as diabetes or arthritis, or fatigue in general. Certain drugs, such as diuretics for the heart and for high blood pressure, have also been cited as a cause of leg cramps. Dialysis patients often complain of leg crams. Pregnancy is also a factor.
Treatments: Vitamin and mineral therapy, nutritional supplements, and a diet high in calcium-rich and magnesium-rich foods may help.
Nutrients:
Supplement Dosage Comments
|
Calcium And Magnesium |
1500 mg. daily.
750 mg. daily and up. |
Deficiencies are most often the cause of cramping in the legs and feet at night. |
|
Vitamin E |
Start with 400 IU daily and increase slowly to 1000 IU daily. |
Improves circulation. Deficiency may cause leg cramps while standing or walking. Especially good if cramping is related to varicose veins. |
|
Potassium |
99 mg. daily |
Needed for proper calcium and magnesium metabolism; aids in relieving muscle cramps. |
|
Vitamin B complex |
50 mg. 3 times daily. |
For improved circulation and cellular function. |
|
Vitamin C with bioflavonoids |
3000-6000 mg. daily. |
Improves circulation. |
|
Vitamin D |
400 IU daily. |
Needed for calcium intake. |
Herbs:
 | Alfalfa, don quai, ginkgo biloba, and horsetail grass are good for circulation. |
| Taking valerian root at bedtime helps to relax the muscles. |
Recommendations:
| Eat alfalfa, brewer’s yeast, and plenty of dark-green leafy vegetables. |
| Drink a large glass of quality water every three hours throughout the day. |
| Massage the muscles and use heat to relieve pain. |
| If you are on diuretic medication for high blood pressure or heart disease, be sure to take supplemental potassium daily. |
| Rub pure olive or flaxseed oil into your muscles before and after strenuous exercise. |
| Before bedtime, take a hot bath using mineral salts or add 25 drops of oil to a hot bath and soak. |
| Consult your doctor if you have cramps during the day while you are active. This can be a sign of impaired circulation or arteriosclerosis. |
Considerations:
| If you have a job that requires sustained periods of sitting, take intermittent exercise/stretching periods throughout the day. |
Vitamin For Life Recommended Regimen and cost:
|
Product No 59618- |
Description |
Comments |
Cost |
|
112-17 |
Calcium Oyscal 500 mg. with D Tabs. |
1 tablet 3 times daily |
$5.75/120 |
|
232-15 |
Magnesium 200 mg. caps. |
1 tablet 3 times daily, taken with calcium |
$4.95/100 |
|
234-15 |
Vitamin E 400 IU (D-alpha tocopheryl) softgels |
2 softgels daily |
$8.95/100 |
|
248-15 |
Potassium Gluconate tablets |
As directed on label |
$2.00/100 |
|
891-15 |
B Complex 50 mg. tabs. |
1 tablet 3 times daily |
$6.95/100 |
|
970-12 |
C 1000 mg. with rose hips tabs. |
1 tablet 3 times daily |
$5.75/60 |
Sources:
Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 2nd Edition
By James F. Balch, M.D. & Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C.
Prevention’s Healing with Vitamins, by the Editors of
Prevention Magazine Health Books
Alternative Medicine, The Definitive GuideCompiled by the Burton Goldberg Group
