Boost mineral intake for muscle cramps
Question : I HAVE been suffering from muscle cramps, especially
after playing football and exercising. What is the cause of the
muscle cramps and how can I prevent them?
Answer : CRAMPS usually occur due to the sudden involuntary
contraction of a muscle. Often, there is no obvious cause, but
it may occur with over exertion or chilling of the muscles, for
example, when doing strenuous physical activity. Common causes
of muscle cramps are inadequate flow of blood to muscle, the
body is over acidic, exhaustion, muscle injury, poor posture,
over exertion of certain muscles and excessive loss of minerals
(potassium, magnesium, sodium, calcium). It is uncommon for
cramps to be caused by a serious underlying disorder. In most
cases, the cramp goes away within a few minutes.
During muscle cramps, try to stretch and then relax the affected
muscle. Always warm up and cool down by stretching before and
after workouts to prevent cramps. A gentle massage is useful to
extend and stretch the contracted muscles. It is also advisable
to drink lots of fluids to rehydrate the body.
Increase the intake of minerals that are needed for muscle
contraction and nerve conduction such as calcium and magnesium.
Take a vitamin B complex, which contains water- soluble vitamins
that help maintain the nervous system and muscle tone and
possess soothing and relaxing effects.
The ginkgo herb may also help to relieve muscle cramps as it is
used to stimulate blood circulation.