I have heard that during or before a muscle cramp, someone can take a calcium supplement, and the cramp ends, or does not begin. Can someone explain the physiology behind this?
2006-09-11 09:33:59 · 2 answers · asked by CK 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
Or potassium, how would these ions inhibit muscle cramps?
2006-09-11 09:49:08 · update #1
A muscle contracts via a reaction in which Calcium binds to one part of the muscle fibre and joins it to the other. A cramp is an inability to stretch the muscle due to lack of Calcium. The energy to contract the muscle comes from the Na-K pump of the cell. Any of these ions can stop a muscle cramp.
2006-09-11 20:28:57 · answer #1 · answered by Sarab s 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Calcium and magnesium are both required for control of muscle contraction and relaxation respectively. An imbalance of those two minerals can lead to muscle cramps.
Potassium is another compound required for control of muscle relaxation and contraction.
2006-09-11 11:52:31 · answer #2 · answered by C.K. 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋