Musvle cramps and lightheadedness

(Jessica) #1

Ive been following the keto WOE gor just over 2 months. Today I awoke with a terrible cramp in my calf. Throughout the day I was also very lightheaded on a few occasions. It would guess I may have low potassium/magnesim/calcium. My question is, should I go the supplement route (Id like to avoid that if possible), or try to up my intake through my diet (Is it possible to get enough eating keto?) I eat plenty of dark leafy greens, cheese, meat etc.

(Alec) #2

My recommendation is buy/find some salt you are happy to eat as is, and munch it through the day. For example, I just munch on this every hour.

image
FB358125-96A2-4653-8D6C-CDC6BF81C7A6.jpeg4032×3024 2.05 MB

(Jessica) #3

I already use that type of salt. I feel like I use a lot…Im not a huge salt fan though…

(Alec) #4

Do you mean taste wise or health wise?

(Greg A.) #5

Muscle cramps are typically a result of mineral depletion. Too little potassium, calcium or magnesium in your diet can contribute to leg cramps.

Are you getting in enough vegetables to account for this or helping with supplements?

(Luc) #6

I remember reading that cramps during exercise could mean a lack of magnesium. Cramps when not exercising, a lack of potassium. Try adding 1/4th of a teaspoon cream of tartar to your water and see if there’s any improvement?

(Jessica) #7

I dont take supplements. Most of what I eat is vegetables. Spinach, avacado, broccoli.

(Jessica) #8

Taste wise. I add it to pretty much everything though because I know I need to keep my electrolites in balance. I thought it would be enough but since Ive cut out all pre prepared foods maybe it isnt…

(Greg A.) #9

Numbers that I’ve heard is to be aiming for 7-10 cups of vegetables a day — which is a lot of veggies.

(Vijay Bhakta) #10

I had similar issues with leg cramps. Head over to the n=1 section and you will see how I approached the problem.

(Arlene) #11

More salt, more salt, more salt. This is the #1 answer, however I always keep a powdered magnesium citrate on hand to stir into some water at bedtime, especially on those days I didn’t ingest enough salt, or if I worked a lot in the sun. This has solved the majority of my muscle cramp issues. I used to struggle greatly with muscle cramps.

#12

The calf cramps are almost always magnesium, I also noticed you didn’t mention sodium! Can’t ignore the big one! Headache and dizziness can be caused by any of our electrolytes being outta whack. You can take a bath in epsom salts to hit yourself with a lot of magnesium at once without toilet related side effects, but in most cases you need supplementation to get yourself on track, whether you can maintain it via diet or not really depends on how you eat.