Water - Electrolytes - Salt - Cramps
PaulaKro
Posts: 5,789 Member
I've been getting cramps fairly regularly and have been buying pills, popping salt straight from the shaker, and drinking pickle juice to increase/replace electrolytes; but still my calves and feet are cramping really easily. Sometimes a cramp will completely freeze my foot, and I have to free it by hand!
I was reading another keto'er today and she mentioned the need for not only salt, but also for lots and lots of water. I have a tendency to drink coffee rather than water but will now start hydrating as much as possible (thank goodness keto is good for memory :laugh: ). We'll see if it helps.
But in the meantime, I'd love feedback from anyone with similar experiences!
I was reading another keto'er today and she mentioned the need for not only salt, but also for lots and lots of water. I have a tendency to drink coffee rather than water but will now start hydrating as much as possible (thank goodness keto is good for memory :laugh: ). We'll see if it helps.
But in the meantime, I'd love feedback from anyone with similar experiences!
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Replies
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I use a topical magnesium for muscle cramps, it works pretty instantly.2
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Drinking more water also increases your need for salt.
You really don’t need to drink more than you’re thirsty for.
Increase the salt even more.
Aim to get 2tsp a day in addition to salting all food as a minimum. Some people need even more.1 -
How much magnesium are you getting daily? If you don't know the answer to this, start supplementing. I take a 400 MG tab of magnesium before bed. Most people are deficient in magnesium. A bonus is it also helps you sleep.
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I take Potassium and Magnesium daily as i was having the worse calf cramps at night. I haven't had them since I started taking the pills. I also drink 128oz of clear water daily so that helps as well. Hope you find your solution, I know how awful cramping can be... Good luck!2
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This is timely. I woke up with a bad cramp in my left calf last night. I have been getting between 4000 and 5000 mg of sodium on the MFP diary recently. In addition, I liberally salt everything and don't attempt to estimate and log that.
Looks for some magnesium...0 -
My husband has the same problem, some with leg cramps at night, magnesium helps him.....1
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I also get frequent leg & foot cramps. It seems to happen after days with more than normal walking. I have been gradually increasing salt. I already take magnesium glycinate and occasionally cream of tartar for potassium (I don't do it often as I've read it can be bad for some people).
I'm also a heavy coffee drinker and try to drink a cup of water between each cup of coffee.1 -
Thank you everyone, I've ordered a bunch (4 kinds) of pills that say magnesium and potassium and salt and "prevent cramps" and if doesn't create too much of a dose of anything, I'm going to take all of them every day!
@Sunny_bunny_ I measured out 2tsp of salt and it wa a lot! I tried to start eating it but it is awful! Left it out on the counter and the kitten stuck her nose in it, LOL! ...poor silly inquisitive kitten...
Cramps, ugh, ugh, ugh!
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@Sunny_bunny_ I measured out 2tsp of salt and it wa a lot! I tried to start eating it but it is awful! Left it out on the counter and the kitten stuck her nose in it, LOL! ...poor silly inquisitive kitten...
Cramps, ugh, ugh, ugh!
Noooooo kitty!!!
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Thank you everyone, I've ordered a bunch (4 kinds) of pills that say magnesium and potassium and salt and "prevent cramps" and if doesn't create too much of a dose of anything, I'm going to take all of them every day!
@Sunny_bunny_ I measured out 2tsp of salt and it wa a lot! I tried to start eating it but it is awful! Left it out on the counter and the kitten stuck her nose in it, LOL! ...poor silly inquisitive kitten...
Cramps, ugh, ugh, ugh!
Don’t take it all at once.
Take 1/4 to 1/2 tsp coarse salt several times a day. Just swallow it like a pill2 -
Increase your potassium intake. I notice I get leg cramps whenever I’m below 1000mg per day. I take at least 3 potassium pills everyday (it’s only 99mg per pill). You should get the rest from your food intake. Avocado, sunflower seeds and pepperoni are great sources of potassium.1
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I sneak in a bite of banana once in a blue moon too. (it's worth having almost no other carbs that day!)Increase your potassium intake. I notice I get leg cramps whenever I’m below 1000mg per day. I take at least 3 potassium pills everyday (it’s only 99mg per pill). You should get the rest from your food intake. Avocado, sunflower seeds and pepperoni are great sources of potassium.0 -
I'll try it! It'd be nice to get this figured out. :ohwell:Sunny_Bunny_ wrote: »Thank you everyone, I've ordered a bunch (4 kinds) of pills that say magnesium and potassium and salt and "prevent cramps" and if doesn't create too much of a dose of anything, I'm going to take all of them every day!
@Sunny_bunny_ I measured out 2tsp of salt and it wa a lot! I tried to start eating it but it is awful! Left it out on the counter and the kitten stuck her nose in it, LOL! ...poor silly inquisitive kitten...
Cramps, ugh, ugh, ugh!
Don’t take it all at once.
Take 1/4 to 1/2 tsp coarse salt several times a day. Just swallow it like a pill1 -
I sneak in a bite of banana once in a blue moon too. (it's worth having almost no other carbs that day!)Increase your potassium intake. I notice I get leg cramps whenever I’m below 1000mg per day. I take at least 3 potassium pills everyday (it’s only 99mg per pill). You should get the rest from your food intake. Avocado, sunflower seeds and pepperoni are great sources of potassium.
Just FYI avocado has a lot more potassium than banana.
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Even coffee and beef does really well providing potassium and you not only get more of other nutrients from them but you you don’t get a ton of sugar.
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@Sunny_bunny_ I keep a salt shaker in my desk at work, one of the mini kind, and today I realized that instead of being my go-to stash for salt, that little mini-shaker was a single dose! :laugh: getting new quantities fixed in my brain.
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