"nj_diver" wrote

You take potassium for leg cramps....not calcium. Bananas are a great
source of potassium. I take a potassium supplement daily and it has
eliminated 99% of the leg cramps in all situations.


Well, both calcium supplements in advance, and potassium
during sustained exercise are suggested by some. There are
many types and causes of cramps. Certain mineral imbalances
can make people more susceptible to cramps during exercise,
as also can dehydration. Sports drinks such as the Gatorade
supplement sodium and potassium,-- some better than others.
Consulting a physician who understands "sports medicine"
is prudent, as always, if leg cramps occur regularly.

In the original poster's assessment, the more likely cause
of his cramps seems to have been lactic acid buildup.

Here's an interesting except from a website: _MUSCLE SPASMS
/ CRAMPS: Nutritional Causes, Prevention and Therapies_.

Note the suggested food sources for lactic acid. %^P

Consuming foods or beverages containing lactic acid is
another acidifying strategy to reduce muscle cramps when
working out, despite the buildup of lactic acid in muscle
tissue during strenuous exercise being actually a common
cause of muscle spasms or cramps. This happens from
insufficient oxygen not being able to oxidize lactic acid,
which would otherwise get rid of it from muscle. Inosine
and creatin supplements also help to reduce the buildup
of lactic acid in muscle.

As exercise tolerance increases from repeated training, it
takes increasingly longer before lactic acid is produced
in muscle, so there is less of a chance of muscle cramps
to develop. Lactic acid is found in a number of foods
and beverages, and it is also commercially added to
increase their acidity (olives, sauerkraut, cheese, beer,
soft drinks, pickles...). Lactic acid-containing drinks
can serve as a valuable fluid replacement for athletes
before, during, and after competitive training and exercise.
-- http://www.acu-cell.com/dis-mus.html

Jon Meinecke