They’re nothing but intense spasms of the muscle,( trust you to know how intense they are) mostly in the legs or the feet. They are so bad and sudden that they may even occur in your sleep sometimes and wake you up in the worst possible fashion. They may stop an amazing workout or even occur randomly while running or during a sport! The three main causes of muscle cramps though, are –
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Dehydration
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Muscle Strains
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Vitamin and Mineral Deficiencies
While dehydration can be taken care of by loading up on the H2o, it isn’t that simple. The real secret lies in the mineral deficiencies and supplying and supplementing your body with the right minerals in adequate amounts is going to get you out of the corner you’re ‘cramped up in’, in no time! The first mineral we’re going to look at is Magnesium. Coming back to dehydration, it causes cramps because of an imbalance of the electrolytes. Magnesium is one of the most important electrolytes because it regulates the calcium and potassium flow in and out of the cells that makes the muscles contract ultimately. A deficiency of Magnesium could lead to a few cramps, guaranteed! Almonds, Cashews, Spinach and beans are your best sources for this mineral.
Next up is Calcium, and it happens to be another important electrolyte that regulates nerve function, muscle contraction and relaxation. So you don’t want a dearth of calcium in your diet unless you’re willing to go one on one with leg cramps! Make sure to eat dairy products such as milk, cheese, yogurt to fulfill the daily needs for ‘Ca’.
Finally, we have Alia Bhatt’s favourite, Potassium! (k? ) This is an electrolyte that is responsible for conducting nerve impulses throughout the body. It plays a major role in muscle contractions as well, and having a low potassium level can lead to cramps. Eating certain fish, meat, dairy products and signature potassium source foods such as bananas, tomatoes and potatoes can do the trick for you.
Make sure to supplement workouts and sports with Glucose drinks and energy drinks that help restore the balance of electrolytes and prevent deficiencies and dehydration.