Many people experience muscle twitches at some point in their life. While muscles twitch for many reasons, few cases happen as a result of serious, underlying conditions. For the most part, fatigue due to exercise as well as dietary deficiency account for many forms of muscle twitches throughout the body. Ensuring that you consume a nutritious diet of whole foods, including fruit, vegetables and whole grains, will reduce their severity or eliminate them entirely.
Calcium
Calcium helps build muscles and gives them the strength to contract. When your body becomes deficient in calcium, your muscles lose their finer motor control, which can result in twitching as well as stiffening and spasms of the muscles, also known as tetany. U.S. Daily Recommended Intakes (DRI) of calcium for adults is 1,000mg elemental calcium.
Magnesium
Magnesium works by opposing the action of calcium--calcium helps muscles contract properly and magnesium relaxes them, as in the beating of the heart. Insufficient magnesium intake may cause muscle spasms and twitches, as well as impair the ability of your body to make use of calcium intakes. U.S. DRI for adults of magnesium is roughly half the amount of calcium, specifically 420mg for males and 320mg for females.
Vitamin D
This important vitamin works to increase the absorption of calcium, strengthening bones as well as muscle function. Vitamin D doesn't come readily from food sources except for D-enriched dairy and some mushrooms. The best source comes from the sun's rays, which are absorbed through the skin and combine with the body's cholesterol to produce calcitriol in the kidneys. Current DRI for adults stands at 400 IU a day, while emerging research indicates higher amounts may be needed to maintain muscle and bone health.
Electrolytes
Electrolyte imbalances contribute to muscle twitches. The most common deficiencies include potassium and sodium. These deficiencies occur for many reasons, including too much exercise without proper nutritional replenishment and gastrointestinal illness. Potassium allowances are high, but supplements are sold in low doses of 99mg, accounting for just 3 percent of the daily allowance. Both sodium and potassium are much better absorbed through consumption of fruit, vegetables and whole grains.
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