Tuesday, July 13, 2010

     Painful muscular cramps are a very common problem in regular exercisers and I see it often in relatively new clients. We will be half way through an exercise, usually involving the lower extremities, and the client will put the dumbbells down so quickly you would think they were red hot and hold their calf, hip or foot in agonising pain. This also happens to many people in the middle of the night, usually in the muscles of the lower leg. The person has experienced excessive tension localised within a muscle, known commonly as cramp.

     Now, if you read a regular fitness magazine or (heaven forbid) a fitness article in a news paper, they will tell you that the exact cause of cramps are unknown or multi-faceted. This is true to a certain extent, but research has shown the solution to be far more simple than most people make out. I believe most people drink enough water when training, so dehydration is not a likely issue and is certainly not the problem most make it out to be. Research has shown clearly that excessive muscular tension is due, in the vast majority of cases, to a mineral deficiency. The highest success rate in alleviating cramp has come from optimising RBC (red blood cell) magnesium levels.

     Magnesium is the mineral in the body that is responsible for promoting a relaxed state in various soft tissues throughout the body. Magnesium researcher Carolyn Dean MD has stated that it is not possible to attain optimal amounts of magnesium through food alone. Supplementation is a must! In terms of quantity, don't just guess or go by the label on the back of a supermarket value magnesium product. Consult a professional.

For supplementation advice or to book a consultation, contact me- enquiries@xanderconditioning.co.uk