Muscle spasms, unpleasant and involuntary muscle contractions, can leave your muscles feeling achy and sore. Several types of vitamin deficiencies can cause muscle spasms. Ask your doctor before treating muscle spasms with vitamins or other supplements on your own; some vitamins, particularly the B vitamins, work together and may need to be taken as a group rather than as individual supplements.
Thiamine
Vitamin B-1, also called thiamine, one of the B-complex vitamins, plays an important role in nerve function as well as carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism. Thiamine deficiency can lead to Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, often seen in alcoholics who eat poorly. Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome can cause muscle twitching, especially around the eyes, and lack of muscle coordination. Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome may require intravenous infusion of thiamine.
Vitamin B-6
Pyridoxine, also known as vitamin B-6, helps break down amino acids that make up proteins. B-6 is necessary for normal nerve function as well as for building red blood cells and other proteins. A lack of B-6 can cause muscle spasms, leg cramps and numbness in the hands. Nausea, slow wound healing, rashes and pins and needles sensations can also occur. B-6 deficiency can cause seizures, particularly in infants. Alcoholics who don't consume enough food and people who have malabsorption disorders are especially likely to be deficient in the B-complex vitamins. Certain drugs, such as hydralazine, used to treat high blood pressure, the antibiotic isoniazid and penicillamine, used to treat rheumatoid arthritis may also cause B-6 deficiency.
Vitamin B-12
B-12, also called cyanocobalamin, is found in most meats. Because B-12 is stored in your body, nutritional deficiency is rare, although some strict vegetarians and the elderly may develop B-12 deficiency. If you have a lack of intrinsic factor, a substance produced by the stomach that binds to B-12 so it can be absorbed, you may develop B-12 deficiency. B-12 deficiency can lead to anemia. A lack of B-12 can cause muscle weakness and spasticity from nerve damage, according to MayoClinic.com. Muscle problems can arise when B-12 levels drop to just slightly lower than normal.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is essential for the absorption of calcium from the intestines. If you develop vitamin D deficiency, calcium levels can also drop. Muscles spasm of the hands and feet, called tetany, can occur if your calcium levels fall below the normal range. Muscle cramps, abnormal heart rhythms, tingling, numbness, weakness and twitching often accompany muscle spasms. Untreated calcium deficiency can lead to death.
References
- MayoClinic.com; Vitamin B12; April 2011
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Hand or Foot Spasms; David C. Dugdale, III, M.D.; August 2009
- University of Massachusetts: Vitamin B6
- Merck Manuals Online Medical Library; Vitamin B6; Larry Johnson, M.D.; Ausust 2007
- Office of Dietary Supplements: Calcium
