Supplements to prevent night cramps.

When I went low carb I got night cramps in my lower legs. I read about magnesium deficiency being the cause and that magnesium wasn’t always absorbed well orally. I invested in Magnesium spray which I applied to the crampy areas every night before I went to bed. This worked well. I now just use pink Himalayan salt in my diet, I don’t use much salt but the magnesium in the salt seems to be sufficient to keep the cramps away.

Rachox said:

When I went low carb I got night cramps in my lower legs. I read about magnesium deficiency being the cause and that magnesium wasn’t always absorbed well orally. I invested in Magnesium spray which I applied to the crampy areas every night before I went to bed. This worked well. I now just use pink Himalayan salt in my diet, I don’t use much salt but the magnesium in the salt seems to be sufficient to keep the cramps away.

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It is interesting that your cramps began only after you statted low-carb. My non-diabetic sister has suffers from cramps for decades, and so do I. I have found that the Magnesium spray you mentioned works well. I use it if I get really bad cramps during night. I also take Solgar Magnesium Citrate tablets every day (NO Gluten, Wheat, Dairy, Soya, Yeast, Preservatives, Sweeteners or Artificial Flavours). Magnesium is one of the supplement that Dr Malcolm Kendrick recommends as beneficial for general health. Two of the Solgar Magnesium Citrate tablets give me the 400 mg a day that he suggests. I have been taking these Magnesium Citrate for years. Now my cramps are very rare, and mostly I get them if I have some virus brewing. But we are all different, and what works for me may not help another person. My sister's cramps have returned since she had operations in her feet and knees.

Another vote for magnesium.

Also a common cause not previously mentioned is dehydration. We tend to underestimate the fluid lost through perspiration, especially when physically active, so make sure you have plenty to drink. You can't beat water out of the tap, but almost any sugar-free beverage will do. Unfortunately, alcohol tends to exacerbate the problem.

Diabetics are known to be more susceptible to cramps than the general population. It can occur with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, but appears to be even more prevalent in type 2, possibly because patients with insulin resistance tend to lose magnesium in their urine, contributing to lower levels.

Should you be unfortunate enough to experience another bout of cramps in your legs, whatever you do, don't point your feet! It's a natural reaction, but prolongs the agony. Instead grab your toes and pull upwards towards your knees.

You may want to support your feet in bed with a pillow. I find that simple precaution prevents me from flexing my feet in my sleep.

Another vote for the magnesium citrate, and salt and hydration.
Although there may be some magnesium in you all in one tablet it may be either the wrong type or too lower a dose?

I tried all sorts and found that the problem was water - in the summer I sometimes needed a pint of water before they subsided.
These days I add salt to my food and make sure I drink soon after I get up and shortly before going to bed and that seems to sort it.

Resurgam said:

I tried all sorts and found that the problem was water - in the summer I sometimes needed a pint of water before they subsided.
These days I add salt to my food and make sure I drink soon after I get up and shortly before going to bed and that seems to sort it.

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Likewise, on waking I record my FBG reading then, while listening to the radio, slowly sip a mug of water. Straight from the fridge it tastes wonderful.

When out on the hoof, I carry a reusable water bottle. At home, I drink water at breakfast, mid-morning, lunch, mid-afternoon and dinner. Can't get away with a drink at bedtime though. Waterworks practically guaranteed to wake me an hour early, if I do.

I used to get calf cramp (legs, not bovine) regularly until I started drinking lots of water twice a day with chemo pills. Plus a glassful as usual at lunch & tea. Coincidence? Maybe not.

LivingLightly said:

Likewise, on waking I record my FBG reading then, while listening to the radio, slowly sip a mug of water. Straight from the fridge it tastes wonderful.

When out on the hoof, I carry a reusable water bottle. At home, I drink water at breakfast, mid-morning, lunch, mid-afternoon and dinner. Can't get away with a drink at bedtime though. Waterworks practically guaranteed to wake me an hour early, if I do.

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I find that warm water will not make me get up at night I am OK from 11pm until 6.AM

I used to get bad cramp after being at work 12 1/2 hour shifts on my feet. I tried magnesium supplements they worked for a very short while. I’m now prescribed Qunine and haven’t had cramp since!