As the years have worn on, I've been experiencing severe cases of the cramps. All-over-the-body spasms that make it difficult, if not dangerous, to drive after a day of vball at the beach. In one case, I had just parked my car when both my hamstrings and quads spasmed so severely in both legs simultaneously that I was incapacitated for at least two to three minutes.
I've done just about everything I can to prevent them. The week before a tournament, I cut back on caffeine (tea) and drink plenty of fluids; drink and eat foods/drinks with electrolytes. Anyone who knows me knows I drink plenty of water/Gatorade during the day. I've eaten bananas, had V8 (which seems to have plenty of electrolytes) and still had cramps.
I typically cramp most on hot days, but some days are better/worse than others. Has anyone else with this problem been able to diagnose and rectify this curse?
Dave
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How To Prevent Cramps?
6 posts • Page 1 of 1
How To Prevent Cramps?
by Dave Bergevin on Fri Apr 03, 2009 10:44 pm
- Dave Bergevin
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Fri Apr 03, 2009 10:11 pm
Re: How To Prevent Cramps?
by ron avocado on Sat Apr 04, 2009 7:52 am
The quick answer for cramps is to look at your Vitamin D levels and also increase your selenium intake, eating small amounts of sunflower seeds and brazil nuts on a daily basis. The quick answer is what most people only want to hear. Adding a few good foods to a overall unhealthy diet may not help very much. Cramping is a sign that the fuel you are putting into your body is poor.
It is so important to get the junk food, alcohol, coffee, and sodas out of your diet. In time it catches up to everyone. Cut way back on your animal products and greatly increase your intake of fruits and vegetables, beans, nuts and seeds.
If you eat a high nutrient diet for a period of time your health will greatly improve and your cramping should go away.
It is so important to get the junk food, alcohol, coffee, and sodas out of your diet. In time it catches up to everyone. Cut way back on your animal products and greatly increase your intake of fruits and vegetables, beans, nuts and seeds.
If you eat a high nutrient diet for a period of time your health will greatly improve and your cramping should go away.
- ron avocado
- Posts: 7
- Joined: Sat Jan 17, 2009 5:46 am
Re: How To Prevent Cramps?
by Dave Bergevin on Mon Apr 06, 2009 11:47 pm
Thanks for the input. I should have mentioned that I regularly eat salads (lunch and dinner) with a good blend of veggies, beans, and nuts. Breakfast is usually the same (I know, I should vary my diet): oatmeal with walnuts, sunflower seeds, cranberries, almonds, various fruits, followed by an Odwalla juice. I drink tea--never any sodas--and I drink water all day long. I have an occasional glass of wine with dinner, but never the week before a tourney. The only thing I think that's lacking is more fruits, though I thought the fruit juices would be enough.
I can't help but think that if I have to eat any more healthy than this, I've got to give up volleyball. But that is why I posted this message since I feel I do have a healthy diet and still have severe cramping. I suspect that on hot days, I'm not realizing how much electrolytes I'm losing and am relying on Gatorade, instead of fruits/nuts, to replenish my stores throughout the day. I'll try increasing intake of fruits and fruits juices on hot days, and the days preceding hot days!
Thanks again!
DB
I can't help but think that if I have to eat any more healthy than this, I've got to give up volleyball. But that is why I posted this message since I feel I do have a healthy diet and still have severe cramping. I suspect that on hot days, I'm not realizing how much electrolytes I'm losing and am relying on Gatorade, instead of fruits/nuts, to replenish my stores throughout the day. I'll try increasing intake of fruits and fruits juices on hot days, and the days preceding hot days!
Thanks again!
DB
- Dave Bergevin
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Fri Apr 03, 2009 10:11 pm
Re: How To Prevent Cramps?
by ron avocado on Tue Apr 07, 2009 12:40 pm
From what you wrote in your last post, your diet sounds healthy. You listed all the healthy things you ate, but what about the unhealthy ones. Don't list them here but just think about it; are there foods you should avoid and get out of your diet. Almost everyone thinks they eat a pretty good diet. Also note to yourself are there any medications that could be causing your problem.
Whole fresh fruit is much healthier than store bought fruit juices, the exception is fresh orange juice. If you are`eating a plant based, low salt, high nutrient, high water content diet, you needs for extra water isnot as high as a conventional eater. 8 glasses of water a day may be way to much.
Nuts and seeds should be eaten raw or lightly roasted and they should never eaten roasted in oil and with added salt. One doesn't need added salt.
I would get the Gatorade out of my life and all similar sport drink products.
Also make sure you are getting enough Vit d, as I mentioned earlier. There are many new studies showing low levels of vit D are linked to numerous health problems
There is a cause far your problem. I would want to rule out all dietary causes first before I started looking in other places.
Give the changes you make enough time to work.
Whole fresh fruit is much healthier than store bought fruit juices, the exception is fresh orange juice. If you are`eating a plant based, low salt, high nutrient, high water content diet, you needs for extra water isnot as high as a conventional eater. 8 glasses of water a day may be way to much.
Nuts and seeds should be eaten raw or lightly roasted and they should never eaten roasted in oil and with added salt. One doesn't need added salt.
I would get the Gatorade out of my life and all similar sport drink products.
Also make sure you are getting enough Vit d, as I mentioned earlier. There are many new studies showing low levels of vit D are linked to numerous health problems
There is a cause far your problem. I would want to rule out all dietary causes first before I started looking in other places.
Give the changes you make enough time to work.
- ron avocado
- Posts: 7
- Joined: Sat Jan 17, 2009 5:46 am
Re: How To Prevent Cramps?
by Rene Denevan on Sun Aug 16, 2009 7:25 pm
Hi Dave,
I used to have muscle cramps after/during volleyball but I rarely do anymore. After research I found that calcium levels and magnesium levels must be stabilized to prevent cramping. Magnesium is what aids muscles in the release of contractions during all muscular activity. Hydration is important, as you already know, but replenishing sodium, plain old salt, is as important as replenishing potassium and electrolytes. So all through a day of volleyball it helps to nibble on small amounts of very salty foods, especially while you are sweating.
My cramping absolutely ended when I started using something called CALM, which I purchased at Way of Life in Santa Cruz. Way of Life is on 41st Ave. in the New Leaf Market shopping center. CALM is a powder made up of minerals including a high level of magnesium, and you simply mix it in with any liquid you drink. (It is not the same as sports drinks ingredients). You start out with a small amount, maybe 1/4 or a 1/2 a teaspoon, with food, so your stomach can get used to it, and then increase to one or two teaspoons a day. If you mix it with water it simply tastes tart. If you mix it with juice, it just tarts it up a bit. For me, I didn't care what it tasted like, because it stopped the cramping almost immediately - within a few days. I drank a half to one teaspoon in a 1/2 glass of oj every morning for the first month, now I only drink it on the days I know I will be exerting myself a lot, and sometimes not at all. I encourage you to try it. I had great success with it. Good Luck!!
I used to have muscle cramps after/during volleyball but I rarely do anymore. After research I found that calcium levels and magnesium levels must be stabilized to prevent cramping. Magnesium is what aids muscles in the release of contractions during all muscular activity. Hydration is important, as you already know, but replenishing sodium, plain old salt, is as important as replenishing potassium and electrolytes. So all through a day of volleyball it helps to nibble on small amounts of very salty foods, especially while you are sweating.
My cramping absolutely ended when I started using something called CALM, which I purchased at Way of Life in Santa Cruz. Way of Life is on 41st Ave. in the New Leaf Market shopping center. CALM is a powder made up of minerals including a high level of magnesium, and you simply mix it in with any liquid you drink. (It is not the same as sports drinks ingredients). You start out with a small amount, maybe 1/4 or a 1/2 a teaspoon, with food, so your stomach can get used to it, and then increase to one or two teaspoons a day. If you mix it with water it simply tastes tart. If you mix it with juice, it just tarts it up a bit. For me, I didn't care what it tasted like, because it stopped the cramping almost immediately - within a few days. I drank a half to one teaspoon in a 1/2 glass of oj every morning for the first month, now I only drink it on the days I know I will be exerting myself a lot, and sometimes not at all. I encourage you to try it. I had great success with it. Good Luck!!
- Rene Denevan
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Sun Aug 16, 2009 5:23 pm
Re: How To Prevent Cramps?
by Rene Denevan on Mon Aug 17, 2009 12:20 pm
Hi again Dave! For more specific info, google calmnatural.com/nutrition-world-class-athletes. Bye! Rene'
- Rene Denevan
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Sun Aug 16, 2009 5:23 pm
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