Research Corner - Q&A Muscle Cramps and Potassium by John Mamana | Date Released : 16 Jun 2003 0 comments Print Close Question: My 27 year old male client is an ex-collegiate basketball player who is now a little over weight but definitely active. He plays basketball at least three times per week along with some light strength training. We are working on a program to reduce body fat and improve his overall fitness, especially posture. His lower back and hamstrings are extremely inflexible, and in discussing this, he revealed to me that he feels as though he can never relax his muscles. We discussed both relaxation methods (he's tried meditation, aromatherapy, massage and a warm bath, but none has worked thus far) and nutrition. He says his doctor has prescribed potassium supplements for him for years. Any ideas on why his doctor would prescribe potassium? Couldn't this be dangerous? Answer: The symptoms of low potassium can include muscle cramps, so I believe the doctor prescribed the potassium supplement to see if it eliminated the muscle tightness and cramps. My impression is that it has not produced the desired effects after significant time, and if serum potassium levels (blood levels) are normal, it can be discontinued. The kidneys regulate potassium levels very effectively in the body, so an individual with normal kidney function would not be in danger by taking a potassium supplement in a case like this. You mention that a calcium and magnesium supplement has not been tried. I agree with you that this would be the next logical approach. Many times, muscle cramps or tightness occur in individuals with calcium deficiencies. I would recommend your client ask his doctor if a trial of 500 mg of calcium and 250 mg of magnesium a day is worth trying. Your approach to this client has been very thoughtful. I hope you find a way to help him. Back to top About the author: John Mamana John Mamana, M.D., is a Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at Georgetown University and the Chairman, CEO and Founder of American Health Sciences, Inc. Dr. Mamana is a graduate of Harvard University, Boston University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine at the University of Pennsylvania Hospitals. After completing his residency, he served as a Full Surgeon in the US Public Health Services. He then founded and became CEO of a multi-specialty group practice, Virginia Medical Associates, which under his tenure became one of the largest group practices in the US. For 17 years, Dr. Mamana served as Chief of Staff and Chief of Internal Medicine at Fairfax Hospital, a 700-bed teaching hospital in Northern Virginia. He has been a Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at Georgetown University since 1987. Dr. Mamana continues to practice medicine a few hours a week in order to stay engaged in patient care and uncover the perceived needs of the patient/consumer. His practice resides in Springfield, Virginia near the corporate headquarters of American Health Sciences. Full Author Details Related content Content from John Mamana Cause of Muscle Cramps Bob Seebohar | Articles Abdominal Spasms with Running Paul Chek | Articles Muscle Cramps Bob Seebohar | Articles Leg Cramps while Swimming Bob Seebohar | Articles Muscle Cramps With Ab Work Steve Rhyan | Articles Leg Cramps while Running Steve Rhyan | Articles Side Aches from Running Steve Rhyan | Articles Protein 101 John Mamana | Articles Whey and Soy Protein John Mamana | Articles Vitamin E: Friend or Foe? - The Truth About Vitamin E John Mamana | Articles Extremely High Heart Rate John Mamana | Articles Black Vomit While Running John Mamana | Articles Defining Osteoarthritis John Mamana | Articles Ideal Body Weight with Diabetes John Mamana | Articles Blood Doping John Mamana | Articles CLA for Fat Loss? John Mamana | Articles Reactive Hypoglycemia John Mamana | Articles What’s the Skinny About Fatty Acids? Omega 3 Fats John Mamana | Articles Fibromyalgia: A Nutritional Approach John Mamana | Articles Osteopenia John Mamana | Articles Homocysteine John Mamana | Articles Cod Liver Oil During Pregnancy John Mamana | Articles Human Growth Hormone John Mamana | Articles Performance Enhancing Supplements John Mamana | Articles Weight Loss and Diabetes John Mamana | Articles Amino Acids and Vegetarianism John Mamana | Articles Low White Blood Cell Count John Mamana | Articles Sugar After Exercise? John Mamana | Articles Carb Blockers with Phaseolamin John Mamana | Articles The Multivitamin John Mamana | Articles Ribose John Mamana | Articles The Truth About Antioxidants John Mamana | Articles Vitamins C & E and Heart Disease John Mamana | Articles Muscle Cramps and Potassium John Mamana | Articles Walking and LDL Cholesterol John Mamana | Articles Osteoporosis Prevention through Fitness and Nutrition John Mamana | Articles Please login to leave a comment Comments (0) Back to top