| Muscle cramps caused by nutritional deficiencies can | | | | which is a rich source of Vitamin E, to the diet. Organic |
| be treated successfully through diet. The patient should | | | | minerals, especially potassium, can be helpful in cases, |
| take a diet which contains liberal quantities of all the | | | | where the disease is caused by mental tension and |
| essential nutrients. This diet may consist of seeds, nuts | | | | nervous disorders. Elimination of contributory psychic |
| and whole grain, cereals, vegetables and fruits. The | | | | causes are, however, also essential in such cases. |
| emphasis should be on calcium and magnesium-rich | | | | Foot cramp may sometimes be caused by deficiency |
| foods, such as leafy green vegetables, fresh fruits, | | | | of Vitamin B6. Even many strong persons suffer from |
| particularly apricots, and soured milk products. The best | | | | foot cramps because of lack of this Vitamin. In such |
| sources of calcium are most vegetables, cereals like | | | | cases, it is essential to take Vitamin B6 on a regular |
| millet, oats, rice, sesame seeds, beans, milk and | | | | basis. This vitamin can be taken up to 50 mg daily for |
| homemade cottage cheese. | | | | months together without any ill effects. It is, however, |
| The patient should avoid excess of citrus fruits, | | | | essential that while taking Vitamin B6, the whole family |
| especially their juices, meats and excess of grains, | | | | of Vitamin B complex should be taken simultaneously, |
| especially wheat, as all of them are deficient in calcium. | | | | as too much of one of the B vitamin may cause |
| Millets are the best cereals for relieving muscle cramps | | | | imbalance of the other Vitamins of the B group. |
| and they should be consumed liberally by the patient. | | | | Cramps associated with menstrual cycle and |
| Other foods which are valuable in this disease are | | | | menopause can be treated successfully by large |
| sesame seeds and almond, especially in the form of | | | | doses of Vitamin E, B6 and B12. |
| milk. | | | | A useful method for relieving muscle cramps is to |
| The use of Vitamin C and E in large doses has been | | | | apply heating pad over the cramping area. Massaging |
| found beneficial in the treatment of muscle cramps | | | | the area will also be helpful. Persons suffering from leg |
| caused by oxygen deficiency in the tissue. Vitamin C | | | | cramps at night should keep bed covers loose, or use |
| has been found valuable in the assimilation of calcium in | | | | a foot cradle at night to keep the weight of the covers |
| the body and preventing it from piling in the joints. | | | | off the feet. Those sleeping on their stomach may |
| Vitamin E helps circulation in the legs. Leg cramps in | | | | extend their feet over the edge of the mattress to |
| some cases have responded to adding vegetable oils, | | | | maintain a neutral foot position. |