We have been taught that when you have a muscle cramp or "Charlie Horse", you should eat bananas to increase your Potassium. That is true. However, Magnesium is usually the reason for muscle cramping. Low Magnesium levels affect heart, neuromuscular and renal tissues. Some of the symptoms of a Magnesium deficiency are weakness, confusion, personality changes, nausea, muscle tremors, and gastrointestinal issues. I have given it to patients that are on heart medications, and their cramping goes away. Some of the heart medications decrease the body's Magnesium levels and can cause severe muscle spasms. I also recommend it to my patients that have severe pain that is due to, or worsened by muscle spasms.I recommend 400-600 mgs of Magnesium/day. If you are taking too much for your body to utilize, you will have diarrhea. If this is the case, take less until you have normal bowel movements. Once you have increased your levels back to normal, you can stop taking it. This usually takes a couple of weeks.
It is very important to continue to consume foods that contain Magnesium so that you don't become deficient. Good sources of magnesium are legumes, nuts, whole grain breads, dark green vegetables, seafood, and soybeans. There are also small amounts in meat, poultry and eggs. So make sure you are consuming these foods to keep your levels up.
It is very important to continue to consume foods that contain Magnesium so that you don't become deficient. Good sources of magnesium are legumes, nuts, whole grain breads, dark green vegetables, seafood, and soybeans. There are also small amounts in meat, poultry and eggs. So make sure you are consuming these foods to keep your levels up.
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