Cramps are an involuntary and short contraction of the muscle, wherein one of the muscles flexes and briefly stay that way. People who have low level of magnesium, calcium, sodium and potassium are prone to leg cramps. Marathon runners and those people who are taking diuretics drugs that controls the heart stability and high blood pressure are also prone to leg and muscle cramps. Other factors that triggers leg cramps include pregnancy and dialysis treatments.

Using magnesium for leg cramps is one of the best ways in fighting it. Supplying the body with enough magnesium, sodium and calcium helps minimize or even eliminate cramping. However, most people are unaware of the fact that the body may be depleted of magnesium even before the next supply is taken especially if the magnesium source depends only on food intake. This is the reason why magnesium supplement are recommended to people. The body is also deprived of its magnesium supply when it undergoes treatments on high blood pressure and heart diseases.

Magnesium is a natural cure against muscle and leg cramps, this is what some Canadian doctors have discovered after conducting a research. It was further proven that muscle and leg cramps are caused by low magnesium concentration in the person’s blood. For severe cases of muscle and leg cramps, magnesium provides immediate relief to patients within the next twenty four hours. Magnesium oil when applied through the skin is the best way to target muscle cramps and get high levels of magnesium into your body without laxative effects.  It is even used to supplement massage oils for increased relaxation both for stress and cramps and pains, so for leg cramps, it becomes a perfect way to hone in on those sore muscles with a self-massage application.

Magnesium is so effective because it works at least a half-dozen ways. It:

  1. Loosens muscles by counteracting the effect of calcium, which tightens muscles. As people age, excess calcium accumulates in the muscles, causing leg cramps. Also, when people eat a lot of dairy and/or take calcium supplements, (especially with Vitamin D) it is easy to get calcium overload. Vitamin D is important to take, but we recommend easing back on the extra calcium for a 2 week trial basis, to see if that helps.
  2. Increases the absorption of potassium, which is critical for proper muscle function.
  3. Decreases pain by blocking the NMDA receptor in the brain and nervous system.
  4. Dampens inflammation by inhibiting cytokine release in muscles and the entire body.
  5. Relaxes blood vessels and decreases blood pressure, which restores healthy circulation.
  6. Increases the production of serotonin, GABA and melatonin, which helps you relax and fall asleep.