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Which vitamin deficiency causes muscle cramps? 🦵


Muscle cramps have various reasons, one of the most important of which is the reduction in the level of nutrients in the body. A cramp is a condition in which one or a group of muscles suddenly contract and cause excruciating, excruciating pain. Cramps occur mostly during exercise, but interestingly, you can also experience cramping while you are sleeping. What are the causes behind muscle cramps? Which vitamin deficiency causes muscle cramps?

What we read in this article

The effect of vitamin B deficiency on muscle cramps

The correct functioning of the nervous system in the human body depends on the consumption of adequate amounts of vitamin B. One of the most important B vitamins that play a role in muscle cramps is vitamin B6. Vitamin B6 can cause muscle cramps because it is responsible for transporting glucose to cells and is involved in many important body reactions. Muscle cramps caused by vitamin B6 deficiency are more common in people who drink alcohol.

Vitamin B12 also has a direct effect on muscle contraction. In addition to affecting DNA synthesis and neurotransmission, vitamin B12 deficiency will also lead to anemia. If you want to increase your B vitamin reserves, eat more eggs, milk, meat, seafood, nuts such as walnuts, and dark green vegetables. You can also purchase vitamin B complex.

Which vitamin deficiency causes muscle cramps? Vitamin D

Another vitamin whose deficiency indirectly contributes to muscle cramps is vitamin D. Vitamin D does not play a direct role in muscle contraction, but it is a vitamin that is very effective in absorbing and stabilizing calcium in the blood; So that its deficiency causes a lack of calcium in the body and increases the risk of muscle cramps.

To get adequate amounts of vitamin D, try to get enough exposure to sunlight. It is also recommended to eat foods such as fish. If you are severely deficient in vitamin D, don’t forget to take vitamin D tablets; Of course, the exact dosage for you should be determined by your doctor according to your age and the amount of deficiency.

Calcium deficiency and severe muscle cramps

It can be said that the most important mineral for maintaining the health of bones and joints is calcium. The ability of muscles to contract directly depends on the level of calcium in the blood. In case of calcium deficiency, the risk of muscle spasm and muscle pain will increase. Don’t forget dairy to make sure you’re getting enough calcium in your diet.

Muscle cramps due to calcium deficiency occur mostly in the back and legs. With a simple blood test, you can find out if you have a calcium deficiency or not! If you are deficient in calcium, your doctor will undoubtedly suggest you to take calcium tablets. The price of calcium tablets varies depending on the number of tablets and the manufacturer. Along with calcium, vitamin D must also be used to absorb this mineral in the body in the best way.

Use magnesium to avoid muscle cramps

In response to the question, which vitamin deficiency causes muscle cramps? We have introduced vitamin D and B vitamins to you and then discussed the role of calcium. While calcium is a mineral that plays a significant role in muscle contraction, magnesium is effective in muscle relaxation. Muscle cramps are often caused by impaired muscle contraction due to calcium and magnesium deficiency.

If your diet does not contain sufficient amounts of grains, legumes and vegetables, it is not at all unlikely that you will be magnesium deficient. Magnesium is a mineral that has unfortunately received less attention and many people are unaware of its essential role in the functioning of various body systems. For example, most people don’t know how magnesium deficiency contributes to depression symptoms. You can easily get magnesium supplements from the pharmacy.

Sources of magnesiumSources of magnesium

Potassium to prevent muscle cramps

An essential mineral for muscle contraction is potassium, which also plays a role in cell function. Muscle cramps can occur as a result of potassium deficiency. Potassium deficiency causes muscle weakness and spasms and reduces their ability to work. To make sure you get enough potassium, you need to include enough vegetables and fruits in your diet.

Foods rich in potassium include: apricots and dried fruits, fruits such as avocados, apples, oranges and bananas, vegetables such as spinach and beetroot, root vegetables such as carrots, legumes and types of meat such as chicken and fish.

In addition to potassium, sodium deficiency also contributes to muscle cramps. Sodium deficiency can occur as a result of excessive water consumption or excessive sweating and cause frequent muscle cramps with impaired kidney function. You can prevent sodium deficiency by consuming the right amount of salt in your diet.

Who gets more muscle cramps?

We explained which vitamins are good for muscle cramps. It should be noted that muscle cramps can happen at any age; But it is more likely to occur in the following groups:

  • Pregnant women: The growing fetus in the womb of pregnant women causes pressure on the nerves and blood vessels in the leg. In addition, another factor that increases the risk of muscle cramps in pregnant women is the imbalance of electrolytes during pregnancy.
  • Elderly people: with age, muscle and nerve function decreases and numbness in the limbs and muscle cramps occur.
  • Athletes: Athletes, especially swimmers or runners, who use their muscles a lot, if they do not warm up well before exercise, they will suffer from muscle cramps.

What to eat for muscle cramps?

You should pay attention to which vitamin deficiency causes muscle cramps. Keeping this in mind, you can easily include foods that are rich in these vitamins or minerals in your diet. Here are some foods that reduce the risk of muscle spasm:

  • Avocado
  • watermelon
  • coconut milk
  • sweet potato
  • Greek yogurt
  • Pen water
  • papaya
  • Fermented foods
  • Salmon fish
  • Sardine

What pill should we take for muscle cramps?

If muscle cramps are the result of a vitamin or mineral deficiency, you should take the same vitamin or mineral in the form of a supplement to treat it. You can also use the following drugs to relax muscles and treat muscle cramps:

  • Methocarbamol tablets
  • Carisoprodol tablets
  • Chlorzoxazone tablets
  • Cyclobenzaprine drug
  • Metaxalone tablets

We are waiting for your questions and comments in the comments. Our active doctors at Positive Green Online Pharmacy will respond to you as soon as possible.

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