Posted on 11/01/2024 8:30:56 PM PDT by ConservativeMind
Researchers found that vitamin K2 supplementation reduces the frequency, intensity, and duration of nocturnal leg cramps (NLCs) in older individuals.
Approximately 50% to 60% of adults experience NLCs (sometimes referred to as a Charley horse) in their lifetime. There are no medical treatments without a substantial list of unpleasant side effects.
The multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial enrolled 199 individuals aged 65 years and older (mean age 72.3) who experienced two or more documented episodes of NLCs during a two-week screening period. Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive either vitamin K2 (menaquinone 7), 180 μg, or a placebo capsule daily for eight weeks.
The study's primary outcome was the mean number of NLCs per week between the vitamin K2 and placebo groups.
Secondary outcomes included the duration of muscle cramps measured in minutes and the severity of muscle cramps assessed using an analog scale ranging from 1 to 10.
At baseline, the mean number of NLCs per week was comparable in both groups, with 2.60 cramps in the vitamin K2 group and 2.71 in the placebo group.
During the eight-week intervention, the vitamin K2 group experienced a reduction in the mean weekly frequency of cramps to 0.96. In contrast, the placebo group maintained a mean weekly frequency of cramps at 3.63. A difference of 2.67 fewer cramps per week between the groups was statistically significant, and the trend was visible in just the first week.
The vitamin K2 group also significantly reduced NLC severity, with a mean decrease of 2.55 points compared to 1.24 points in the placebo group. The duration of NLCs decreased by a mean of 0.90 minutes in the vitamin K2 group, compared to 0.32 minutes in the placebo group. No adverse events related to vitamin K2 use were identified.
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
“heat is good.
Cramps are a terror.”
After the Almeda urban arson proven wildfire, I was homeless. No motels. The only place I found was a big old house without heat. It was 100 feet to the microwave. I couldn’t get any enzymes, except mail order and had bad pancreatitis. I would get them in both feet at the same time and had to crawl to the microwave. 2 months, every night. I honestly went mad. Truly.
So sorry to hear that, AuntB. I was almost at the point of being unable to go on when the vinegar worked. I would get almost no sleep at all for days at a time. I can only imagine your pain.
I do think my cramp situation has something to do with nutrients. The break-thoughs seem to come most often when I have not eaten much that day, or maybe not eaten enough of something I have not been able to pin down.
God bless you. You will be in my prayers today.
Thank you!
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