Muscle cramps can occur in any part of your body and may be associated with injury, overuse or dehydration. Cramps can also be the result of not getting enough vitamins or minerals or, conversely, overdosing on vitamins. Mineral toxicity can also cause cramping.
Vitamin-Deficiency Anemia
A deficiency in vitamins can lower your count of healthy red-blood cells and lead to symptoms including muscle weakness and cramping, irritability, dizziness, shortness of breath and pale skin. Vitamins that are linked to this kind of deficiency are B-9 -- folic acid -- B-12 and vitamin C. A deficiency can develop if you don't get enough of these vitamins or if you have an absorption problem.
Multiple Vitamin Overdose
You can suffer an overdose if you take more than the recommended daily amounts of fat-soluble vitamins. Taking excess vitamin A, D, E or K -- in either single-supplement or multivitamin form -- can cause cramping, joint pain, muscle weakness, confusion, fainting, headache, increased urination and nausea or vomiting. Medline Plus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, recommends calling poison control if you overdose on vitamins.
Concerns
Because leg cramps can have many different causes, it is best to have any recurrent leg cramping checked by your physician. Leg cramps may be caused by overstretched muscles, a malfunction in the nerves, a pinched nerve or a spinal injury. Leg cramps can be also be caused by deep-vein thrombosis or atherosclerosis, which are medical emergencies. Do not treat leg cramps by taking multivitamins or vitamin supplements without the direction of your dietitian or physician.
Considerations
Eating regular meals that contain the five food groups can provide you with all of the vitamins and minerals you need to maintain good health and to prevent deficiencies. This limits your need to take multivitamins, which reduces the risk of exposure to multiple vitamin overdose. Eating healthy balanced meals can also reduce your risk of developing supplement-related leg cramps or leg cramps from the lack of vitamins and minerals.
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