Help for Nighttime Leg Cramps

I came across a new study on leg cramps that I wanted to share- new research has shown that vitamin K can help with reducing painful nighttime leg cramps.

The study used vitamin K2, in the form of MK-7 (the best absorbing type of vitamin K) over 8 weeks. They found that daily use significantly reduced the occurrence of nighttime leg cramps and also reduced the duration of the leg cramps that did occur. 

The results were impressive- at the beginning of the study, most of the participants had nearly 3 nighttime leg cramps per week, and after using vitamin K2 (in the MK-7 form) the frequency of leg cramps was reduced to less than one a week. 

Vitamin K2 is best known for its benefits for bone health. It tells calcium where to go in the body, directing it to go into the bones and to stay out of the arteries. 

Vitamin K2 in research has shown benefits for helping to strengthen bones. Numerous studies have shown it's ability to reduce fractures and help with increasing bone strength. It's actually been approved in Japan for osteoporosis treatment since the 1990s.

Vitamin K2 can be beneficial for everyone, but it's shown the greatest results for bone health in postmenopausal women.

The only people who shouldn't take vitamin K are people on prescription blood thinners without speaking to their doctor first (anyone on prescription blood thinners needs to be very careful with the supplements they take due to interactions).

Stop in and see us for more information and to help us find the product that’s right for you. We’re at 7228 W. College Drive in Palos Heights and have a very kind, knowledgeable staff.

Natural Help for Leg Cramps

If you’ve ever experienced a leg cramp in the middle of the night, you know how awful it can be!  Leg cramps are very common, particularly as we get older. They can have a variety of causes, including dehydration, mineral deficiencies, and overexertion.

Thankfully, there are a number of simple natural remedies available that can help.

The first thing we’d recommend is to try to increase the amount of water you drink during the day (though try to do it earlier in the day so you’re not going to the bathroom all night long), since dehydration can cause muscle cramps.

Mineral deficiencies are another common cause of leg cramps. Increasing your potassium intake can help to make leg cramps less frequent. Here is a great list of potassium-containing foods on our website. 

Magnesium can also be extremely helpful for people suffering from leg cramps. The USDA has reported that between seventy five and eighty five percent of Americans do not receive the recommended dosages needed to meet their body’s requirements, and one of the ways that deficiency can present itself is through leg cramps, particularly since magnesium can help with relaxing the muscles. For helping to prevent leg cramps, we recommend supplementing with the glycinate form of magnesium, which is a very well absorbed form.

Topical magnesium can also be very effective for muscle cramping and pain. We have a great magnesium oil spray which works exceptionally well, and quickly. 

The last mineral that we wanted to mention in regards to muscle cramps is calcium. When we think of calcium, bones are usually the first thing we think of, but proper amounts of dietary calcium are also needed for the muscles to function properly and a deficiency can cause muscle tenderness and cramping, so if you aren’t consuming enough calcium through diet (and many aren’t), adding a bit of supplemental calcium can be a good idea.

Something else a little different for leg cramps that is actually a favorite at our store, is an old Amish remedy from a company called Caleb Treeze that is said to stop leg cramps in under two minutes. They recommend drinking a capful when you’re in the throes of a leg cramp. It can also be taken preventatively before bed. My aunt Joanne (one of the owners of the store) swears by it. She keeps a bottle by her bed just in case, but will also often take a capful before bed to prevent cramps, especially if she’s been on her feet a lot that day. It isn’t the best tasting thing around, but she really feels like it does work.

Stop by the store so we can help you further.