Summary answer
No vitamin is likely to help with a leg cramp 100% of the time. However, some experts do recommend that you take a vitamin B12 complex
What vitamin is lacking when you have leg cramps?
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) Vitamin B1 deficiency can cause heavy and tired legs after running, muscle cramps, fatigue, and odd sensations in your legs and feet. Some foods rich in vitamin B1 include whole grains, vegetables, legumes, milk products, and meat
What deficiency causes leg cramps at night?
Potassium. Potassium helps maintain normal cell function in the body, particularly in the nerves and muscles. It is relatively common for people to have a potassium deficiency. However, if a person has a severe deficiency , they may experience symptoms such as leg cramps.
What vitamins should I take to prevent leg cramps at night?
Additionally, certain vitamins and minerals impact muscle function, particularly potassium and magnesium. A significant body of research has found that increasing your magnesium intake can help with the frequency of night time leg cramps, especially for pregnant women
What vitamins stop cramps?
One way to stop cramps is to stretch or massage your muscles and to eat enough of these key nutrients: potassium, sodium, calcium, and magnesium
Does B12 help leg cramps?
There is some evidence that taking a daily capsule containing eight B vitamins—B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B5 (pantothenic acid), B6, B7 (biotin), B9 (folate), and B12—may prevent cramps.
How much magnesium should I take for leg cramps?
Women who took 300 mg of magnesium daily experienced less frequent and less intense leg cramps, compared with women who took a placebo ( 27 ). Although further research is needed on magnesium and muscle cramps, taking 300 mg of magnesium daily has been shown to decrease symptoms.
Does B12 deficiency cause leg cramps?
People with diabetes, intestinal disease, heart disease or kidney disease should not take magnesium before speaking with their health care provider. Overdose. Signs of a magnesium overdose can include nausea, diarrhea, low blood pressure, muscle weakness, and fatigue. At very high doses, magnesium can be fatal
Who should not take a magnesium supplement?
People with diabetes, intestinal disease, heart disease or kidney disease should not take magnesium before speaking with their health care provider. Overdose. Signs of a magnesium overdose can include nausea, diarrhea, low blood pressure, muscle weakness, and fatigue. At very high doses, magnesium can be fatal
Does zinc help with leg cramps?
Does vitamin D cause leg cramps?
Despite unequivocal vitamin D repletion, vitamin D had no effect on muscle cramps. Pain levels, disability, and dietary potassium predicted presence of cramps. Serum albumin and physical activity were inversely associated with, and disability was positively associated with, severity of muscle cramps.
Is there a pill for leg cramps?
Because of the low quality of evidence, no medication can be recommended for routine treatment of leg cramps; however, carisoprodol (Soma), diltiazem, gabapentin, orphenadrine (Norflex), verapamil, and vitamin B12 complex may be considered in some patients.
What can I drink for leg cramps?
Drink plenty of fluids. Sports drinks, such as Gatorade, will often help leg cramps.
What deficiency causes muscle cramps?
Vitamin D and Calcium Deficiency are the prime reasons to cause muscle cramps and joint pains. It is important for each of us to know our vitamin levels in the body so that accordingly we can take supplements, and special nutrients to our diet and most importantly if required, seek medical help.