Cramps (mostly nighttime) - Magnesium supplements?

[NHAero]

I get cramps in my legs fairly easily at age 65, especially at night, and mostly feet and lower legs, outside front of shin. I keep track of my hydration carefully, and that's a good start. I also have a banana daily, and eat pumpkin seeds, arugula, and other food sources of minerals. I looked through the threads here on cramps and magnesium and calcium combined turn up as a daily supplement recommendation. Has that helped anyone here, and if so, what product/brand do you use?
Thanks!

[biker72]

Try a teaspoon of yellow mustard before bedtime. Works for me.

[jtakeda]

Originally Posted by NHAero

I get cramps in my legs fairly easily at age 65, especially at night, and mostly feet and lower legs, outside front of shin. I keep track of my hydration carefully, and that's a good start. I also have a banana daily, and eat pumpkin seeds, arugula, and other food sources of minerals. I looked through the threads here on cramps and magnesium and calcium combined turn up as a daily supplement recommendation. Has that helped anyone here, and if so, what product/brand do you use?
Thanks!

Mag helps me. I’d give it a shot

[kbone]

My mother had really bad leg cramps for years. She tried all sorts of stuff and nothing really helped. I turned her on to Nuun and she would drink some before bed and it stopped the cramps. You may want to try it.

[false_Aest]

I'm a huge Mg fan.
But I also cramp because of temp variation.
If I've been super warm during the day and my legs get too cold at night there's a good chance I'll cramp.

In the SoCal summer daytime highs might be in the 80s or 90s but the lows at night might be in the mid 60s. I pretty much have to wear long PJs and make sure my legs are covered -- though I'll still sleep with out a shirt.

My body is weird yo.

[rccardr]

I take a potassium-magnesium supplement every night at bed time.

No more cramps-ever!

[Ralph]

I'll just assume you don't take statins.

[David Tollefson]

I started having night cramp issues when I'd do an evening trainer session. Using a Stick massager and working the "stuff" out of my legs is what cured it for me.

[alessandro]

I’m thinking you need more potassium, and that might help stop the cramping. One banana may not be enough for you. I’m not a medical professional, so I’d talk to your primary care doc.

[Louis]

Originally Posted by David Tollefson

I started having night cramp issues when I'd do an evening trainer session. Using a Stick massager and working the "stuff" out of my legs is what cured it for me.

David,

Is this video a good example of what you do with the stick? Or do you do something different? How about quads and hamstrings?

TIA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EffbdrFoYG4

[SlowPokePete]

lots of water and Hammer Anti-Fatigue caps keeps night cramps away fro me following a long ride...

SPP

[martl]

there was an in-depth backgroud article about cramps and Mg etc. in a german magazine. The summary was:

- muscular cramping is not very well researched
- there is no real proof that supplementing Mg helps
- there is no proof it is related to dehydration or electrolyte levels in the bloodstream

Mg is recommended in some official medical advisories because it is *not* proven that it *doesn't* help and it has no side effects ("can't hurt")

The Mg recommendation stems from one article from 1983 about a tennis player (in "Physiology of Sports Medicine").
Subsequent small studies said Mg was almost as useless as a placebo, especially for nightly cramps/older test persons (https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr....pub2/abstract)

There is something that helps, which is chinin sulfate. It has severe sideeffects and should be taken on doctors advice only

[NHAero]

Which of their products has worked for her?

Thanks

Originally Posted by kbone

My mother had really bad leg cramps for years. She tried all sorts of stuff and nothing really helped. I turned her on to Nuun and she would drink some before bed and it stopped the cramps. You may want to try it.

[kbone]

I didn't realize they had so many options. She's been using that SPORT version with success for a few years.

[David Tollefson]

Originally Posted by Louis

David,

Is this video a good example of what you do with the stick? Or do you do something different? How about quads and hamstrings?

TIA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EffbdrFoYG4

I only work one direction -- back towards the heart. So up-strokes only on the legs. Working the waste products out of the muscles. Start with the calves, then go to hamstrings, then quads.