I had posted a couple of weeks ago seeking advice for the terrible leg cramps I had been suffering. Many of you gave me advice and suggestions of things to check on to help me, and I greatly appreciated it.

Upon following some of the suggestions, I reviewed what I was eating and the supplements I was taking; I found that I had started taking a chromium supplements around the time the leg cramps started. I decided to stop taking it for a while to see if it made a difference, and IT DID !! No more leg cramps. I can't be absolutely positive that the chromium was the cause, but I am NOT going to start taking it again to find out.

Has anyone else had this experience?

liftmyburden

Hi LMB,

IMO, while it's unlikely chromium was the culprit, everyone is different and we all can have individual reactions. It may also depend on how much you were taking. I take 200mcg twice a day with 100mg biotin.

Chromium excess is extremely rare; there isn't any chromium in the American soil; therefore Chromium deficiency is very common, for the same reason. Chromium deficiency characteristics are craving for high glycemic foods, always hungry, on and off again thirst, and an energy drop in the afternoon.

According to Atkins ("The Vita-Nutrient Solution"), "Chromium is far and away the the most pivotal nutrient involved insugar metabolism." Like any other supplement, it should be taken only with knowledge and care.


Mineral Excess and Deficiency Consequences



BC
172/108/108
Zone since 4/98

Thanks for the link BC. My hypothesis was incorrect anyway as the leg cramps have surfaced again. I think I'll go to the doc and get labs done again as I can't keep going like this. I have bad varicose veins in my legs and the cramps just intensify the daily discomfort the veins already cause.

I am taking (and have been for months) calcium, magnesium, and potassium supplements in addition to my daily multivitamin/mineral plus fish oil and flax seed oil- a regular drug store....lol. Plus, I eat raw vegetables daily, including tomato, cauliflower, romaine lettuce, and/or spinach. I just don't know what else to do. Hopefully, the doc can guide me.

Thanks again.

liftmyburden

You might try stretching exercises and wearing support hose. If you are taking calcium/potassium/magnesium already it seems kind of strange to me that you are having this problem.

Good luck sweetie and let us know what you discover. I am very interested.

Michelle -- 208/196/140
Started Atkins 9/03
On my way to finding the new me.... WATCH OUT WORLD!!

I'm relieved you're going to the doctor. My fiance's father has recently been diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a form of lymphoma. The first symptom was leg cramps, which he treated as a potassium deficiency for a couple years. By the time other symptoms surfaced, his illness was quite advanced.

Now I'm not trying to spook you! Because someone close to me is ill, I'm just seeing the world through that lens, I think. I just wanted to chime in that since you've tried other solutions to no avail, that a doctor's opinion is a great idea, especially since I wish a loved one had done the same.

Take care of yourself! Best wishes!
xoxo,
claire

Michelle,

Pat yourself on the back! The leg cramps are "exercise induced". My levels are fine, and the doc approved the amount of potassium I am taking- says it is not too much. I have decreased the intensity level of my aerobic routine and have increased my stretching time. It has helped greatly. I haven't had any significant cramping in almost two weeks.

Thanks to all for the advice and the concern. It is so nice to have web-friends!

liftmyburden