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It’s not pleasant. You wake up at night, or in the early morning when you’d like to lie in bed a little longer, and suddenly an unbearable cramp appears in the calf, the foot, or even in the whole leg. You start stretching your whole body in panic and try to drive the pain away. However, it decides for itself when it will ease. It is not a disease, but a symptom that something is not right in the body.
Cause 1: Lack of specific substances in the body
The most common explanation for muscle cramps is a deficiency of three substances in the body.
They are:
- potassium,
- calcium,
- magnesium.
If you want to correct a magnesium deficiency, reach primarily for wholegrain bread and dairy products (note, this does not mean processed cheese, which actually worsens the situation).
Sea fish also help, which will benefit your health in many other ways. Sunlight is an important source of vitamin D, which helps the proper absorption of calcium, which is actually contained in the same products as magnesium. You can compensate for a potassium deficiency by consuming dried apricots, figs, carrots, beans, potatoes and spinach.
Cause 2: Dehydration and fatigue
Muscle cramps in the lower half of the body may also be caused by dehydration, so carefully monitor the amount of fluids you drink during the day. It is recommended to pour the required amount of water into a bottle in advance and set a goal to drink that amount during the day. You can also place a glass of water on your desk so you constantly see that you need to drink. Ideally, you should drink 2-2.5 l of water.
Cause 3: Diabetes
However, cramps in the legs can also be an early warning sign of a more serious disease, such as diabetes. It is hard to recognize in the early stages. Therefore do not take these signs lightly and try to find the cause of your problems. Many people get by with preventive measures such as regularly stretching their limbs. However, that will not completely solve your problem!
