Leg cramps that occur when you're resting or sleeping can be aggravating, especially when they happen on a regular basis and disrupt your sleep. Research results on whether vitamin E works for preventing nocturnal leg cramps is conflicting, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Consult a qualified health care provider before taking vitamin E supplements.
Leg Cramps
Nocturnal leg cramps are most likely to take place in the calf muscles but sometimes involve the feet. They develop suddenly and may last up to 10 minutes, and you may still have soreness after the cramp dissipates, says the Cleveland Clinic. It is unclear what causes leg cramps, but sometimes they are associated with sitting for a long time or sitting improperly, standing on a concrete floor, overexerting your leg muscles or being dehydrated.
Research
During a study on the effectiveness of vitamin E for skin conditions that was published in the August 1969 issue of "California Medicine," researchers found an apparent beneficial side effect. Participants who were experiencing frequent and severe nocturnal leg cramps were seeing benefits from the vitamin. Participants in this study were taking 100 intravenous units (IU) of vitamin E three times per day before meals. In contrast, a study appearing in the September 1992 issue of the "Archives of Internal Medicine" did not report benefits of 800 IU of vitamin E per day for decreasing the severity or frequency of leg cramps and the resulting sleep disturbances.
Dosage
The amounts of vitamin E that participants took in these studies were much higher than the recommended dosage set by the food and nutrition board. Most people do not experience any side effects when taking that daily dosage, which is 15 mg, or 22.4 IU, according to MedlinePlus. Taking amounts above the recommended daily dosage can cause abdominal cramps, nausea, diarrhea, fatigue, weakness, headaches, blurred vision, rashes, bruising and an increased risk of bleeding. Although the food and nutrition board set the tolerable upper intake level for vitamin E at 1,000 mg, or 1,500 IU, per day, taking vitamin E at doses of 300 IU and higher may increase the risk of a hemorrhagic stroke, according to MedlinePlus. Doses of 400 IU per day or more may increase the chances of death in people with health conditions such as heart disease or diabetes. Vitamin E interacts with numerous medications and other substances as well.
Additional Methods
There is insufficient evidence to judge the effectiveness of vitamin E for leg cramps, according to MedlinePlus. The Cleveland Clinic recommends additional methods for preventing this problem. Drink six to eight glasses of water every day to stay hydrated, wear appropriate shoes and make sure your blankets and sheets are loose around your feet when you go to sleep. The clinic also suggests doing stretching exercises for your calf muscles or riding a stationary bicycle for a few minutes before going to bed.
