Magnesium is one of the most commonly recommended dietary supplements for muscle spasms, but its effectiveness in an acute attack is minimal. German researchers have discovered that most common cramps are not caused by a lack of minerals in the muscle. In addition, they also have an unusual solution to stop the spasm.
The magnesium paradox
When the cramp is mentioned, most of us immediately respond, “Magnesium deficiency!” But hand on heart. Have you ever tried drinking an effervescent magnesium tablet during a cramp? If so, then you know that nothing happened at all.
German sports doctors and neurologists took a closer look at this phenomenon and confirmed what many suspected. , but fails as a quick rescue in an acute attack. Why?
Because before swallowed magnesium is absorbed through the stomach into the bloodstream and reaches the contracting muscle, it takes tens of minutes, sometimes even hours. And you need that relief now, not after breakfast.
Which dietary supplements are appropriate to supplement?
Who suffers from cramps the most and when do they attack us?
Spasms do not choose, but they have their favorite victims and ideal timing. They most often affect:
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Active athletes: During prolonged exercise, when the body loses important electrolytes through sweat.
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Older people: With age, the length of muscle fibers naturally shortens and blood circulation deteriorates.
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Pregnant women: Hormonal changes and the pressure of the fetus on the nerve plexus play a role here.
Cramps most often occur either directly at peak physical performancewhen the muscle simply exhausts its energy reserves or, on the contrary, at complete rest, typically at night. Nocturnal cramps in the calves they are often the result of all-day dehydration or hidden stress, when the tired nervous system is unable to “shut down” properly.
What did German scientists discover? The problem is in the head
A team of experts in Germany came up with an interesting finding. Most common muscle spasms do not occur directly in the muscle due to a lack of any substance, but in the nervous system. A tired or overloaded receptor basically starts transmitting chaotic, hyperactive signals and commands the muscle to contract headlessly. It’s like an electrical short.
In order to stop the spasm, we don’t need to feed the muscle, but we need to act on the nerves. And for that, scientists discovered absolutely an unexpected helper.
Scientific experiments have shown that if you drink approximately fifty to seventy milliliters during the onset of a spasm sour pickle from pickled cucumbersthe spasm subsides in less than ninety seconds. To give you an idea, this is about twice as fast as when you just stretch the muscle mechanically.
How is it possible that ordinary nail polish works like a wave of a magic wand? The key is not what happens in the stomach, but what happens in the mouth and throat. The strong acidity of the vinegar and the specific taste of the spices in the pickle strongly irritates the receptors in the back of the mouth. This strong sensation sends an immediate reflex signal directly to the brain and spinal cord. The nervous center is “startled”, interrupts the confused transmission to the tested muscle and it relaxes.
So how to effectively help yourself?
- FIRST AID KIT: If you are leaving for a tough training session, a longer hike or a cycling trip, pour some cucumber juice into a small bottle with you. At the first sign of twitching, give a quick lok.
- Mechanical classics: At the same time, try to carefully but persistently stretch the affected muscle and breathe deeply. Oxygen helps to break down accumulated tension.
- Prevention with reason: Definitely don’t throw magnesium out of your life. But supplement it long-term and regularly, ideally through a varied diet (nuts, seeds, leafy greens), so that the body builds up a stable level.
