Posted by JLx on December 9, 2006, at 15:17:21
In reply to Foot cramps, posted by Wildflower on December 4, 2006, at 19:38:12
> Does anyone know the cause of foot cramps? I seem to get them every time I workout. I even bought new tennis shoes trying to avoid them. I've heard that it could be dehydration, potassium or ill-fitting shoes but I still can't figure this out. Any suggestions?
I get foot cramps when I need more magnesium. I also get foot cramps when I am taking a lot of magnesium and then need more calcium.
In your case if you're not already taking magnesium, I'd try that first because exercise depletes magnesium. If that doesn't help, try experimenting a little with different magnesium, calcium ratios. Potassium can enter in too, but magnesium and/or calcium are more likely the culprits.
Magnesium oxide is what you will find most commonly in multis or grocery store supplements, but magnesium oxide is poorly absorbed by many people. Magnesium citrate, magnesium taurate, magnesium glycinate, magnesium orotate, magnesium malate are all good well absorbed magnesium sources. Epsom Salts are magnesium sulphate and one reason why soaking sore muscles in an Epsom Salt bath is so relaxing is because magnesium is absorbed through the skin, dilates blood vessels and has to do with the relaxant mechanism in muscle (calcium is contracting).
This nutritionist's site has a good formula for calculating magnesium supplement needs: http://www.krispin.com/magnes.html#Formula
There's also magnesium rich foods: http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=nutrient&dbid=75
JL
poster:JLx
thread:710418
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/health/20061106/msgs/711928.html