According to the Mayo Clinic, most leg pain is a result from normal wear and tear or injuries. However, other conditions such as blood clots, bone cancer, bursitis, fibromyalgia, gout, night leg cramps, restless leg syndrome, pregnancy or osteoarthritis can also cause leg pain. Possible vitamin deficiencies and the use of vitamin and mineral supplements, such as magnesium, have been studied for their effectiveness in a number of leg pain causes. Before adding magnesium supplements, consult with your physician as there are some medication interactions you need to discuss.
Magnesium
Magnesium is a mineral that plays a role in over 300 chemical reactions in the body. It is essential for growth and maintenance of your bones, nerves and muscles. Magnesium can be supplied through the consumption of various vegetables and other foods or taken as a supplement. Some foods that provide a source of magnesium include fruits and vegetables such as bananas and avocados, nuts, legumes, soy products and whole grains.
Pregnancy-Induced Leg Cramps and Pain
In many women pregnancy has a tendency to induce leg cramps. A 1995 study published in the "American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology" looked at the effectiveness of magnesium supplementation on pregnancy-induced leg cramps. The study looked at 73 women who suffered from pregnancy-related leg cramps and administered either oral magnesium or a placebo for three weeks. The results showed that magnesium supplementation appears to be a valuable therapeutic tool in the treatment of pregnancy-induced leg cramps.
Nocturnal Leg Cramps and Pain
Nocturnal leg cramps, or more commonly known as a Charlie horse, are cramps that happen in the night with no real apparent cause. A 2002 study published in the "Medical Science Monitor" looked at the connection between these nocturnal leg cramps and the administration of magnesium supplements. Subjects in the study received either 300 mg of magnesium or a placebo for six weeks and they were asked to keep a cramp diary for the final four weeks of the study. While the side effect of diarrhea was reported from those receiving the magnesium, they also reported a reduction in cramps. The study concluded that magnesium was a potentially effective method of treatment for nocturnal leg cramps.
Restless Leg Syndrome
Restless leg syndrome, or RLS, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, is a neurological disorder that causes throbbing, pulling and other unpleasant sensations that create an uncontrollable urge to move them. A 1998 study published in "Sleep" looked at the connection between restless leg syndrome and the use of magnesium supplements. They determined that magnesium significantly reduced arousal from sleep due to restless leg syndrome and that magnesium treatment may be an effective alternative therapy in patients with mild to moderate RLS.
References
- MedlinePlus; Magnesium in Diet; March 9, 2009
- "American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology"; The Effect of Oral Magnesium Substitution on Pregnancy-Induced Leg Cramps; LO Dahle et al.; July 1995
- Cleveland Clinic; Nocturnal Leg Cramps; May 22, 2008
- "Medical Science Monitor"; Randomised, Cross-over, Placebo Controlled Trial of Magnesium Citrate in the Treatment of Chronic Persistent Leg Cramps; C. Roffe et al.; May 2002
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke; Restless Leg Syndrome Fact Sheet; September 2010
- "Sleep"; Magnesium Therapy for Periodic Leg Movements-related Insomnia and Restless Leg Syndrome: An Open Pilot Study; M. Hornyak et al.; August 1, 2998
