Some people taking magnesium may get relief from leg cramps right away, but a long-standing deficiency can take weeks to overcome with supplements, says Dr. Brilla. We like to recommend supplementing for four weeks, she says. That s how long we feel it takes before we have some kind of measurable outcome. Prescriptions for Healing Doctors recommend these nutrients to help end leg cramps. If you have kidney or heart problems, don't take magnesium supplements without medical supervision.
Excess magnesium can also cause diarrhea in some people.
If you are taking anticoagulant drugs, you should not take vitamin E supplements. By now nearly everyone on the planet knows that calcium can help ward off osteoporosis. Calcium by itself may not have much benefit for leg cramps, but calcium helps magnesium absorption. You re going to absorb more if they are both taken together, says Dr. Brilla. Getting enough calcium may be as simple as taking your magnesium supplement with skim milk.