Muscle cramps caused by nutritional deficiencies can be treated successfully through diet. The patient should take a diet which contains liberal quantities of all the essential nutrients. This diet may consist of seeds, nuts and whole grain, cereals, vegetables and fruits. The emphasis should be on calcium and magnesium-rich foods, such as leafy green vegetables, fresh fruits, particularly apricots, and soured milk products. The best sources of calcium are most vegetables, cereals like millet, oats, rice, sesame seeds, beans, milk and homemade cottage cheese.



The patient should avoid excess of citrus fruits, especially their juices, meats and excess of grains, especially wheat, as all of them are deficient in calcium. Millets are the best cereals for relieving muscle cramps and they should be consumed liberally by the patient. Other foods which are valuable in this disease are sesame seeds and almond, especially in the form of milk.

The use of Vitamin C and E in large doses has been found beneficial in the treatment of muscle cramps caused by oxygen deficiency in the tissue. Vitamin C has been found valuable in the assimilation of calcium in the body and preventing it from piling in the joints. Vitamin E helps circulation in the legs. Leg cramps in some cases have responded to adding vegetable oils, which is a rich source of Vitamin E, to the diet. Organic minerals, especially potassium, can be helpful in cases, where the disease is caused by mental tension and nervous disorders. Elimination of contributory psychic causes are, however, also essential in such cases.

Foot cramp may sometimes be caused by deficiency of Vitamin B6. Even many strong persons suffer from foot cramps because of lack of this Vitamin. In such cases, it is essential to take Vitamin B6 on a regular basis. This vitamin can be taken up to 50 mg daily for months together without any ill effects. It is, however, essential that while taking Vitamin B6, the whole family of Vitamin B complex should be taken simultaneously, as too much of one of the B vitamin may cause imbalance of the other Vitamins of the B group.

Cramps associated with menstrual cycle and menopause can be treated successfully by large doses of Vitamin E, B6 and B12.

A useful method for relieving muscle cramps is to apply heating pad over the cramping area. Massaging the area will also be helpful. Persons suffering from leg cramps at night should keep bed covers loose, or use a foot cradle at night to keep the weight of the covers off the feet. Those sleeping on their stomach may extend their feet over the edge of the mattress to maintain a neutral foot position.