Anyone know why I get cramps in the lower part of my legs?

[Aarya]

I used to get cramps in my calf all the time as a teenager, almost everyday usually in the morning when stretching in bed. At some point they stopped (I suspect it has something to do with diet, but not sure exactly what).

 

They have just recently come back. I am pretty active (and that is not a new thing) so I don't think it is related to movement at all. I do suspect it is diet, but I don't know how to figure out what I'm eating too little/too much of. Any ideas?

[sugarpiehoney]

Could be lack of potassium and calcium. Banana and a glass of gatorade works for this.

[Aarya]

I will try the banana. Can it really be calcium when I am having milk & dairy nearly everyday?

[Liraele]

Potassium would be my guess.

 

When you get the cramps, point your toes up toward your chin rather than down toward the earth. Helps alleviate them somewhat.

[Aarya]

Potassium would be my guess.

 

When you get the cramps, point your toes up toward your chin rather than down toward the earth. Helps alleviate them somewhat.

 

Yes! At some point I had to learn that trick. It works wonders. I will go have a banana now Thanks... Let's hope it works.

[tallydoo]

Yeah! It's potassium (potatoes work too!). I get them when I get dehydrated.

[luminousone]

A friend of mine had that problem last month and in her case potassium didnt work. I looked it up and suggested magnesium and that worked for her! So if potassium doesnt work then try some magnesium citrate supplements.

 

Calcium, magnesium, and potassium all work in different ways but a deficiency in one of them can result in muscle cramps.

[lilypadgirl]

Yes, I used to get them and potassium worked for me. Also bending your toes towards you trick helped with the cramps. Will have to remember to try magnesium too if potassium eventually doesn't. Thanks!

[Aarya]

Don't walnuts have magnesium? I eat them everyday these days. That and milk/dairy cover magnesium and calcium I suppose. I will drink more water and eat a banana and see if I have cramps tomorrow (or is it unrealistic to expect such fast results?)

[pl3asehelp]

When you say you're active, does that mean you exercise daily or close to daily?

[Aarya]

Daily or close to daily is about accurate. Today I walked something like 5 kms.

[Aarya]

Update:

 

Yesterday I tried to drink more water, took a vitamin (I had not been very regular with it lately as I'm travelling) had a banana, some almonds instead of the usual walnuts and va-la! Cramps gone this morning. They were there consistently past several mornings. Such a fast fix! I wish I knew this when I was a teenager. And I kept asking around too....

[abitbroken]

Keep it up. And make sure you are getting plenty of Vitamin D to process the calcium.

[Aarya]

It's very sunny where I am, so I'm sure I get plenty these days. Come winter - that's a different story.