i went to buy potassium and only found potassium gluconate .. is that okay to take and how much do i take??? would just a muti vitamins with minerals do? and should i take calcium and magnese as well..??? thanks for any info...

I have had really bad leg cramps all my life (since puberty, I think, even before) but since I started taking calcium regularly (or when I remember) the cramps have gone. If I remember, I take capsules that have 333 mg. of calcium and 167 mg of magnesium, one twice a day and during PMS week, I double it. It helps with the leg cramps, I seem to sleep better and theoretically, is supposed to help with those insane carb cravings I get during PMS week.

Julie

Potassium gluconate is fine. Any chelated potassium salt will get into your body faster than an ordinary potassium salt. I've seen it recommended that you take around 90 mg a day. My Holland and Barret chelated potassium is 99 mg per tablet. I also take a general multivitamin and mineral which also contains, potassium, calcium, magnesium, etc, etc. The other supplement you may want to take is chromium - often as picolinate - which may help with energy conversion at the cellular level.

I did not take extra potassium until recently when I discovered that it probably the lack of this that was causing me to feel a little faint when at the gym.

Julie,

I live in Florida too and I picked up some chelated calcium at Eckerd pretty cheap. I also take a calcium/mag/zinc supplement I bought there along with my multi. I felt better after I started taking it. Hope this helps. Have a great day.

Betsy

The link below came from the "Hot Links!" thread atop the Newbies' Questions forum - it contains a lot of useful information and is worth bookmarking

Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium - Doses and sources

Nat