Vitamin reduces nighttime leg cramps by 50%
Some people wake up in the middle of the night due to sudden painful cramps in the thigh, leg or foot, and the frequency of these nighttime disorders increases with age.
About 40% of people over the age of 50 suffer from nighttime cramps - known by many names, such as sleep or nocturnal leg cramps (NLC), in which the muscles in the lower extremities contract painfully and can take up to several minutes to subside.
Unfortunately, only a minority of patients bother to report this suffering to their doctor, according to what was published by the New Atlas website, citing the journal JAMA Internal Medicine.
Nightmares of waking up at night
The new thing is that researchers from the Third People's Hospital in China and several medical schools have succeeded in discovering a solution that reduces nightmares of waking up due to leg cramps. The results of a clinical trial conducted on 199 people revealed that vitamin K2 significantly reduced the pain attacks and the duration of the cramp.
The researchers noted that “this study builds on previous research that has shown the effectiveness of vitamin K2 in relieving muscle cramps associated with dialysis,” while “this is the first study to explore the use of vitamin K2 specifically for treating” nighttime leg cramps.
Imperfect means
Until now, lifestyle interventions such as exercise and hydration have been imperfect means of reducing the chances of developing recurrent NLC, which becomes more frequent with age and is often independent of any underlying disease or condition. While magnesium supplements have shown some effectiveness in relieving cramps in pregnant women, they have generally not helped other conditions.
Older patients
“Daily vitamin K2 supplementation reduces muscle cramps in older individuals, which are manifested by decreased frequency, shorter duration, and decreased intensity,” the researchers noted in the initial study protocol paper last year.
Important Warning
While K2 supplements, when taken within the dosage range, are considered low-risk when it comes to side effects, some people have reported mild initial digestive issues such as bloating, gas or headaches.
The team of researchers warn that anyone should consult a medical professional before taking new supplements, as K2 can cause problems for people who are taking other medications, including anticoagulant treatments.
