Muscle aches and cramps affect everyone from time to time, whether it is after playing sports or a long day at the office. An appropriate diet and stretching routine can decrease the risk of muscle aches, and vitamins and supplements can be taken daily to lower the risk further. Knowing which vitamins are best is a tricky business, as some are better than others.
Magnesium
Magnesium can help keep muscles relaxed, notes MedlinePlus. Having too little magnesium in your body can cause muscle cramping. Magnesium is also essential for increasing muscle tone and improving the nervous system. This mineral will help your muscles receive signals from the brain to repair and contract faster.
Calcium
Calcium should be taken alongside magnesium to promote muscle relaxation and repair of damaged tissues. After you exercise, microscopic tears are formed in the muscle tissue, and added calcium can help to repair the tissue.
Multivitamins
A high-potency multivitamin that contains minerals such as calcium and magnesium will help relieve muscle cramping and aches. Multivitamins allow the body to restore all the minerals that have been used during exercise.
Vitamin B Complex
The American Cancer Society notes that a deficiency in vitamin B complex can cause muscle cramps. Taking the full range of B vitamins, such as B1, B2, folic acid and others, will boost muscle repair, resulting in less pain. Because muscle pain is caused by micro tears in the muscle tissue, the quickest way to repair this is through metabolism of protein which rebuilds the muscle tissue, so increasing vitamin B complex intake can help your body break down protein to repair muscles and relieve pain.
Vitamin A
According to Life Clinic, vitamin A deficiency has been linked to deterioration of the joints, which is a leading factor in muscle aches. Vitamin A can help to repair muscle tissue and make muscles stronger.
