If you frequently experience leg cramps, chances are that your body may require additional nutrients like magnesium, iron, etc. Magnesium is crucial for controlling how the human system works. More than 300 metabolic processes of the human body depend on it, including the contraction of muscles and the transmission of nerve signals.
Leg cramps can be treated with magnesium. But there is not much proof of its benefits. Here, we’ll examine the treatment options for leg cramps.
Should you try magnesium?
Many people use magnesium for muscle recovery, as it is helpful for certain individuals. And using it is risk-free.
Boosting the amount of magnesium in your system could result in additional impacts if you possess a magnesium deficiency.
Magnesium levels must be appropriate for performance, especially for athletes. Magnesium helps to treat persons with ailments like:
- Asthma
- Osteoporosis
- Migraines
- Depression
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
Recommended levels of magnesium
Gender, as well as age, will determine the amount of magnesium you require. The most likely demographics to be low in magnesium are men over the age of 70 and teenage girls, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Trusted Source.
The mineral magnesium and a few drugs can combine. Before using magnesium supplements, talk with your chemist or doctor.
Recommended sources of magnesium
Magnesium is present in foods like avocado, nuts, seeds, whole grains, legumes, leafy greens, bananas, tofu, and dark chocolate. It is made additionally available by nutritional supplements and topical magnesium lotions.
Eating magnesium-rich foods can help you meet the recommended daily dose. Your body absorbs approximately 30% to 40% of the magnesium in your diet.
It is recommended that your magnesium consumption be proportional to your calcium intake, with magnesium in your diet accounting for roughly half to two-thirds of your calcium intake.
Fast facts about magnesium deficiency
As you age, your body absorbs up to 30% less magnesium from diets. Smoking and drinking alcohol lower magnesium levels.
Processed foods have decreased magnesium content.
Many popular medications, such as statins and antacids, inhibit magnesium absorption.
Low vitamin D levels limit magnesium absorption.
Body lotions containing magnesium
Needless to say, a lack of this crucial nutrient will leave you feeling low and may pave the way for more significant health difficulties down the road.
Applying body lotions containing magnesium regularly is one of the simplest ways to enhance magnesium levels in the body. Not only does it replace vitamin stores, but it also moisturizes and softens the skin!
Other factors to consider
Magnesium is a popular treatment for leg cramps, notably in Latin America and Europe. However, practically all clinical research on magnesium therapy for cramps found it unsuccessful.
Magnesium supplements can be taken. According to the research, magnesium supplements are both safe and inexpensive.
You could be deficient in anything else. One possible explanation for the lack of effectiveness on cramping is the intricate interaction between magnesium and other nutrients. Calcium and potassium, for example, are also involved in muscle cramping. If muscle cramps occur because of a shortage of one of these other nutrients, magnesium will not assist.
Magnesium may help some people. Although the existing data demonstrate no overall association between magnesium use and leg cramp relief, some study participants reported magnesium is more beneficial than a placebo.
Finding a Positive Mindset to Navigate My Limb Loss Journey(Opens in a new browser tab)
Magnesium has several benefits and might help in reducing leg cramps, so you can use body lotions containing magnesium or consume it naturally or in supplement form after discussing the risks and benefits of using magnesium for muscle recovery.