Research shows that it is not just individuals who are deficient that benefit from magnesium supplements, but rather it is believed that everyone can benefit from its ability to aid in stabilizing cellular membranes. Magnesium is important for cellular functioning in terms of producing energy, cell reproduction and the formation of protein and at the same time essential in maintaining the potassium and sodium pump.
A cramp is that short, involuntary contractions of a muscle. Your muscle literally decides to do a flex, and briefly stay in that position. Magnesium for muscle cramps is a very effective way of preventing it.
If you frequently experience cramps, it is likely linked to low levels of electrolytes or the minerals in your body such as magnesium, calcium, potassium and sodium. This is common to swimmers and marathon runners who frequently sweat out the miles that they swim or run. Some drugs like diuretics or the water pills for the heart and for those with high blood pressure are also cited as a cause for cramps in the legs. Dialysis patients, whose blood is filtered by a machine due to their kidneys not working properly, also often complain of muscle and leg cramps. Pregnancy or menstruation can also lead to many cramps and pains, and would benefit from magnesium supplements.
Here are some dietary tips that can help you keep magnesium and vitamin E in your body:
- Cut the cocktails. Alcohol decreases the supply of magnesium in your body. A single drink greatly lowers your body’s magnesium levels.
- Exercise, and trim the fat. Dietary fat makes it hard for the body to absorb magnesium, increasing the chances that it will only go to waste.
- Cap your sweet tooth. Magnesium is used by the body to metabolize the sweet stuff. The more sweets you take in, the more magnesium you use up.
- Keep the cola at a minimum. Soft drinks have phosphates in them, which deplete your body of calcium and magnesium.
Muscles need both calcium and magnesium to function properly. Calcium tenses your muscles, while magnesium for muscle cramps serves to relax them.This balance is critical. So when your body takes in calcium, magnesium should be supplemented as well because they work hand in hand for the body.
Although there is no known toxicity in magnesium, it potentially has a laxative effect when taken orally. As a result, magnesium supplementation taken orally can be a bit inconvenient. This is could also be the reason why sufficient magnesium is usually not added to multi-vitamin formulation. This is why magnesium chloride, or magnesium oil, when taken through the skin, is the best way to get the proper magnesium needed to fight muscle cramps.
Always take your vitamins, and your daily dose of magnesium. Magnesium for muscle cramps is very safe, even if you take it at high amounts, except for people with impaired kidney function.