i've been getting excruciating leg and foot cramps. thing is, i've always gotten these once in a while, and thought it was because i don't always stretch after my workouts. but since starting atkins the frequency of the cramps has increased. my multivitamin has about 50 mg of magnesium and i'm not sure how much calcium.

should i take more magnesium? i've heard this can also help with constipation, which would be good. but would adding calcium negate that effect? basically i'm trying to figure out what should i take and how much.

I had trouble in the beginning but taking a multiple vitamin and drinking lots of water, the cramps eventually went away. IT was only a problem the first couple of months.

Magnesium definitely helps with leg cramps. My bottle instructs taking one tablet 3xs daily with a tall glass of water. Preferable after a meal. Each tablet contains 167 mg of magnesium and 333 mg of calcium. I heard that it a;so helps with constipation and I notice that each tablet contains mineral oil.

Black57

Val, definitely increase the magnesium and calcium and it will help. Multi's don't come anywhere near the RDA for minerals / vitamins you need on a daily basis - they are designed solely to keep you from developing a deficiency.

The RDA for magnesium is 500mg a day; for calcium its 1000mg a day. You should get the two together; they work in tandem. The magensium will help with constipation, yes, and the calcium tends to have the opposite effect (a good reason to take them together). They both play a role in muscle relaxation and contraction. Magnesium will actually allow the calcium to work (as well as other supplements, like potassium). You want to ensure you get a chelated kind, look for citrate/malate and not carbonate (from oystershells - its hard to absorb). It's best to take these supplements throughout the day as your body can only handle so much at one time.

You should notice an end to those cramps almost immediately.

Nat

Leg cramps are an indication of Potassium Deficiency.

I used to get cramps in me calves & feet but since I've been taking calcium & pottasium I never get them anymore.

i'll look for a combined mag/cal pill then, though i didn't see that last time i was in the vitamin section.

nat, i have no clue what citrate/malate means or what they pertain to. the mag supplement i was looking at last time was just mag oxide. i'm confused. i should be looking for a chelated mag/cal combo pill?

can't take potassium as there's a warning against taking potassium on one of the meds i'm taking.

thanks guys!

Yes, val, look on the side of the bottle - if it ends in an 'ate' that isn't 'carbonate" you're fine

And potassium is no longer considered a cure for these cramps - it used to be, however, may years ago. Potassium is one of the big 3 LC supplements and it does help you feel better, but it's not going to effect leg cramps. However, if you have a difficiency in magnesium while you're taking your potassium you will not get the full benefit of it - you need the magnesium so the other minerals / salts can work.

Val - if you have been told not to take potassium then do not take it.
Nat

I have the Calcium Citrate Plus from GNC. It's $15 for 180 but you can get 20% off. I was going thru a GNC phase last year and got it. Might get the replacement from Sam's.