Muscle spasms can leave you incapacitated for hours or even days due to intense pain, contraction and an inability to move the affected part of your body. Certain nutritional deficiencies can result in muscle spasms. Likewise, specific vitamin supplements may help to alleviate your symptoms. Do not use vitamin supplements to self-treat any symptoms you may be experiencing. Consult your doctor before using any dietary supplement.
About Muscle Spasms and Nutrition
Muscle spasms, also referred to as muscle cramps, are painful, involuntary contractions of a muscle, which can result in immobility, intense or unbearable pain and feelings of tightness or constriction. Muscle spasms can have a number of causes, including alcoholism, exercise, dehydration and pregnancy. Muscle spasms can also be caused by a deficiency of magnesium or calcium, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Other nutritional deficiencies can also result in muscle cramps or spasms. In addition to using over-the-counter pain relievers, stretching and ensuring that you eat a well-balanced diet, certain vitamin supplements can also help alleviate muscle cramps and spasms.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E, or tocopherol, is an antioxidant nutrient that helps to fight the effects of free radicals in your body. Free radicals are damaging substances that occur in substances such as smog and cigarette smoke, and may damage cells and contribute to the formation of certain diseases such as cancer, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements. A deficiency of vitamin E can cause muscle weakness. A study published in the August 1969 issue of the medical journal, "California Medicine," currently known as the "Western Journal of Medicine," showed that patients suffering from frequent and severe nocturnal leg cramps experienced relief from their symptoms after taking 100 I.U. of vitamin E three times a day before meals. Additionally, according to Dr. Michael Zimmerman in his book, "Pocket Guide to Micronutrients in Health and Disease," vitamin E can help protect against oxidative stress, which can cause exercise-related fatigue and muscle cramps.
Vitamin B-Complex
Eight different vitamins are in the B-complex family of vitamins - vitamin B1, or thiamin; vitamin B2, or riboflavin; vitamin B3, or niacin; vitamin B5, or pantothenic acid; vitamin B6, or pyridoxine; vitamin B7, or biotin; vitamin B9, or folate; and vitamin B12, or cobalamin. These vitamins play an important role in energy production and the synthesis of red blood cells, according to Dr. Zimmerman. The B complex vitamins, particularly thiamin, niacin and pantothenic acid, also help muscle cramps because they can help with the removal of excess lactate, which can cause cramping after exercise.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is a nutrient manufactured by your body in response to sunlight exposure and is also found naturally in a limited number of foods, such as fish and milk. Vitamin D helps maintain bone health, reduces inflammation and plays an important role in the absorption of certain minerals, including calcium and magnesium. A deficiency of vitamin D can be a contributing cause of muscle spasms. Additionally, a vitamin D deficiency can also cause joint and bone pain, according to Dr. James Dowd and Diane Stafford in their book, "The Vitamin D Cure." Dowd and Stafford state that vitamin D can help your muscles work more effectively, and reduce muscle twitching, pain and stiffness.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Muscle Cramps
- Office of Dietary Supplements: Vitamin E
- "California Medicine"; Leg Cramps (Systremma) and "Restless Legs" Syndrome --- Response to Vitamin E (Tocopherol); S. Ayres and R. Mihan; August 1969
- "Pocket Guide to Micronutrients in Health and Disease"; Michael Zimmerman, MD; 2001
- "The Vitamin D Cure"; James Dowd, MD and Diane Stafford; 2009
