Leg cramps are painful spasms that mostly appear in the calf muscles. Leg cramps are also called Charley horse or night cramps. These spasms appear in mostly in midnight. They may appear in the daytime after the physical activities like running and cycling. These spasms may end in a few seconds to 10 minutes. They are caused by strenuous exercises, dehydration, improper nutrition, pregnancy, certain medicines, etc. They are not a serious condition and can be managed with certain home remedies. They settle on their own. Some people suffer from frequent episodes of leg cramps. Nutritional deficiencies may trigger leg cramps. Diet modification and vitamin supplements can reduce the muscular cramps in the leg.
What Is The Best Vitamin For Leg Cramps?
Leg cramps are caused by strenuous exercises, lack of vitamins and minerals in the diet, dehydration, cold weather, metabolic disorders, pregnancy, certain medicines like diuretics, steroids, birth control pills, etc.
Vitamins play an important role in many biological processes that involve the production of red blood cells, the release of energy, and the functioning of nerve and muscle. The deficiency of vitamins can induce leg cramps. Vitamin supplements can improve the cramps in the leg.
The vitamins essential to reduce leg cramps are-
Vitamin B Complex- vitamin B complex is found in eggs, meat, dairy products, beans, whole grains, and green leafy vegetables. They are involved in various functions of our body like the function of muscles, nerves, digestive system, etc. According to a recent research study, many problems including leg cramps may arise due to deficiency of vitamin B complex. A review published in a journal of neurology states that vitamin B complex supplements improved the cases of muscle cramps in 86% of subjects involved in an experiment. (1)
Vitamin D– vitamin D is an essential vitamin required health of bone and muscle. With the reduction of normal levels of vitamin D in the body, many problems may arise that include muscle cramps. Vitamin D is derived from sunlight, fortified milk, and some fishes. Even after proper exposure to sunlight, and a proper diet, vitamin D deficiency may happen. Vitamin D supplements may resolve the deficiency and may improve leg cramps.
Vitamin E– vitamin E plays an important role for the good health of the muscles and nerves. The deficiency of Vitamin E can cause leg cramps. Vitamin E is found in eggs, liver oil, almonds, fishes, etc. introducing a sufficient amount of vitamin E in the diet or by supplements, leg cramps may improve. According to international standards, 400 international units of vitamin E consumed daily can remarkably reduce leg cramps. Vitamin E is also known to reduce free radicals in the body that can trigger leg cramps. (2)
Vitamin B complex is the best vitamin for leg cramps. Regular intake of this vitamin can reduce the incidences of leg cramps. They not only relieve the contractions but also improve the functioning of the muscles. Vitamin supplements should be taken under the prescription of the physicians as it may interfere with the action of other medicines like ACE inhibitors, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines, blood thinners, etc.
Leg cramps are involuntary contractions of the muscle due to the appearance of hard lumps in the muscle. They are a common type of muscle cramps happening in the age of 20-40 years. They are represented by hard lumps and cramping pain in the legs. These cramps are located in the calf muscles, muscles present in the back and front of the thigh. These cramps are mostly felt in the midnight. However, it can develop in the daytime when excess physical activities are performed such as cycling or running. It may end in few seconds to few minutes.
Conclusion
Leg cramps are the contractions of the calf muscles, front or back muscles of the thigh. Intake of vitamins and minerals can improve the condition. Vitamin B complex is the best vitamin for leg cramps.
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