Muscle Cramp
Ever get a wicked cramp in your calf or middle of the foot during exercise or occassionally in the middle of the night? Ever had an eye start twitching, seemingly out of the blue, that you couldn’t stop?
It may be a mineral deficiency, particularly Magnesium.
During exercise, the body is in a stressed or contracted state. While calcium affects muscle contractions, magnesium balances that effect and relaxes muscles.
Often, the depletion of Magnesium in the body stems from over-consumption of caffiene, alcohol and sugary foods (yes, most sport drinks count in the latter category). Consuming too much processed food in your diet will not provide enough Magnesium.
It is recommended that people consume an average of 400mg of Magnesium a day. That number may vary based on your current health conditions or other factors. If you think you may have a deficiency, visit your naturopath or doctor for some blood work to determine the cause.
