BellaOnline Forums Health and Fitness Holistic Health Need advice on foot & leg cramps

I get foot and leg cramps frequently, sometimes in both feet at once. (And is THAT fun.) Is there something other than walking it off and stretching that might help...like a dietary adjustment?

Lots of times muscle cramping has to do with hydration, so make sure you are drinking enough hydrating fluids during the day, also potassium plays a factor in leg cramps so eat a banana a couple of times a week. hope this helps. I hate when I get cramps in my feet!

Magnesium is also very good for muscle spasms.

Sue, someone told my dad about drinking more water for his leg cramps and he tried that and never had another one. I've read too that magnesium is good.

Thanks, everyone. Dehydration hadn't occurred to me. I have a hunch that's what it is!

Some people have leg cramps at night while sleeping, Cramps may be caused by inadequate blood flow to the muscles; Low levels of certain minerals known as electrolytes-magnesium,potassium,calcium,and sodium- have been long linked to leg cramps.Certain drugs, such as diuretics (water pills) for the heart and for high blood pressure,have also been cited as a cause of leg cramps.;
Dehydration is a common cause of muscle cramps,to much caffeine,Two very common causes of night cramps in leg muscles are tobacco and inactivity.

Yes, the book by Dr. F. Batmanghelidj "Your Body's Many Cries For Water", talks about the many symptoms and problems caused by not getting enough water. Not coke, coffee, tea or any other drinks. A lot of those "cause" dehydration.

Another cause of leg cramps is statin drugs. The drugs that docs are pushing on almost everyone to lower their cholestrol.
Docs wanted to put my 84yr old Mom on them, but we modified her diet and she ate lots of foods that are known to lower bad cholestrol and her next checkup was fine. Doctors are way too fast to prescribe drugs these days.

As my friend say Magnesium is very good for muscle spasms and also oiling.

Try a cal/mag supplement....Gilliam's Natural Calm with Calcium is what I always recommend, and it's best taken in the evening before bed. It takes care of my husband's charley horses and RLS at night.

It would probably help to see a doctor because there are different things that can cause them. So, the "cure" probably depends on the cause. Also, they could be a sign of a more significant problem. Seeing a doctor is important for any persistant problem.

But with that said, I took a glucosamine chondroitin supplement and it helped. It took a while before I started to feel better, but it did help.

I have also heard that a lack of calcium can cause leg cramps. I don't know if it's true.