Leg Cramps Despite Magnesium: What Helps?

Why do some people have calf cramps despite magnesium? Here you can find out possible causes and what can help against the complaints.

Leg cramps despite magnesium: What is the reason for this?

In fact, a magnesium deficiency is often an obvious cause of nocturnal calf cramps. This is because magnesium is very important for the complex interaction of the muscles: it ensures that the muscles can relax again after a tension. If there is too little magnesium in the body, its antagonist calcium causes the muscles to contract involuntarily – a cramp begins.

If you are well supplied with magnesium, but still frequently suffer from calf cramps, this can have various causes – for example, calf cramps can be a sign of various illnesses despite magnesium.

Other mineral deficiency as cause

Not only magnesium is important to support the musculature. Minerals such as sodium, potassium and even calcium are also part of the electrolytes that the body needs. If we are undersupplied with them, the muscle function is disturbed – which can lead to muscle cramps, among other things.

So if you know that you are taking up enough magnesium (women over 25 should take 300 milligrams a day, for example), you should have a test carried out by your doctor to see whether another mineral deficiency could be the cause of the calf cramps. If there is a specific deficiency, this can often be remedied by a more balanced diet.

Drugs as causative agents of calf cramps

If leg cramps occur despite an adequate supply of magnesium, it is worth taking a look at the package inserts of various medications. Some medications promote cramps in the muscles – you will find more information in the section on side effects. The following medications, among others, can cause leg cramps:

• Blood pressure reducers (so-called ACE inhibitors)
• Diuretics (diuretic drugs)
• Laxatives

If symptoms can be traced back to such a preparation, those affected should talk to their doctor about whether there are alternative remedies.

Leg cramps despite magnesium: When illness is to blame

If the symptoms are not caused by a magnesium deficiency, various diseases should be excluded as possible causes. For example, muscle-related diseases could promote cramps. The following diseases are possible causes:

• Neurological diseases: The signals of certain nerves are needed to control the muscles. If there is a neurological disease such as nerve paralysis or a herniated disc, this can promote leg cramps.
• Muscle diseases (“myopathies”): Many muscle diseases, which can often be traced back to genetic factors, also result in muscle weakness. Especially nightly legcramps despite sufficient magnesium occur.
• Diabetes: Patients with diabetes often have a generally low magnesium level. There are two reasons for this: Firstly, they excrete increased amounts of magnesium in their urine, and secondly, they often have to avoid foods rich in carbohydrates that contain a lot of magnesium. People who are diabetic should therefore talk to their doctor about how they can keep their magnesium balance.
• Hypothyroidism: A hormone is produced in the parathyroid gland which influences the calcium level in the body. If the parathyroid gland is underactive, the calcium level drops – which can cause cramps that can last several hours.
• Kidney disease: Among other things, the kidney is responsible for the body’s fluid regulation. In the case of kidney disease, it can happen that an increased amount of important minerals are excreted in the urine, resulting in a continuous deficiency.
• Circulatory problems: Even general circulatory disorders can cause the muscles to no longer work properly. The lack of blood circulation causes the muscles to contract and cramp faster.

Leg cramps due to overstrained muscles

Athletes suffer comparatively often from calf cramps. There are several reasons for this. Competitive athletes in particular often tend to take too few breaks between training sessions for themselves and their muscles. The muscles are therefore under permanent tension and tend to cramp. Those who train a lot also excrete more magnesium through increased sweating and can thus fall into a magnesium deficiency.

Leg cramps due to underloaded muscles

The opposite to the previous point is also possible: if you do not move at all or move too little in everyday life, you not only break down muscles, but also have to expect that the muscles react with cramps with every sudden effort.

Muscle cramps during pregnancy

During pregnancy the risk of muscle cramps increases, especially in the calves. Pregnant women have a significantly increased need for minerals, including magnesium. If this requirement is not met, leg cramps are more likely to occur, especially at night. As the pregnancy progresses, the uterus can also press on various nerve tracts – this can also cause cramps.

Drug and alcohol abuse promote leg cramps

The abuse of drugs and alcohol has many harmful effects on the body. The muscles can also be damaged. In addition to cramps, uncontrollable muscle twitching and/or tingling or numbness can occur.

What can I do if leg cramps occur despite magnesium?

If cramps occur only occasionally, this is not directly a cause for concern. However, if muscle or calf cramps occur regularly and repeatedly, a doctor should research possible causes and treat them. If, for example, an underlying disease comes into consideration, it must first be treated. The following measures also help to prevent cramps:

• Eat a balanced diet, i.e. eat lots of fruit and vegetables as well as fish, fibre-rich foods (e.g. wholemeal), lean meat and a few dairy products.
• Regular sport, often it is enough to cycle or swim for 30 minutes three times a week.
• Prevent mineral deficiencies, whereby a healthy diet, among other things, helps. Pregnant women in particular should take care to cover their increased requirements.
• Replace medication with other preparations if muscle cramps are a side effect.
• Stop alcohol and drug abuse.
• Perform daily relaxation exercises to keep the muscles relaxed.
• Improve blood circulation, for example by alternating showers or gentle massages.