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Pregnant women are sometimes vulnerable to leg cramps, which usually occurs due to a change in their calcium metabolism. Calcium supplements can help. Please check with your obstetrician before beginning any supplements. Another help for nocturnal leg cramps is vitamin E.
If neither calcium nor vitamin E gives you relief, you may benefit from magnesium, potassium, or vitamin A.
Because it has been shown that sugar and caffeine reduce
absorption of vitamins and minerals (particularly calcium), people with cramping problems should eliminate as much sugar and caffeine from their diets as possible.
Natural Prescriptions for Leg Cramps
•Eliminate as much sugar and caffeine as possible from diet.
In addition to current daily supplements, add:
•1,200 mg. of Calcium at bedtime. If no results, you can discontinue but be sure you get 1,200 mg. of Calcium daily through diet and/or other supplements. If you are pregnant, check with your doctor before beginning and supplements.
•400 I.U. Vitamin E twice daily after meals for two weeks. If symptoms are relieved, cut down to 400 I.U. daily. If symptoms recur, increase dosage until symptoms are relieved but never take more than 1,200 I.U. daily.
•400 mg. Magnesium daily.
•10,000 I.U. Vitamin A daily
•100 mg. Potassium daily
None
