A lack of potassium, calcium, or magnesium in the diet can contribute to leg cramps. Diuretic medications that are often prescribed for high blood pressure can also deplete these minerals. Perhaps the most well-known function of choline is its role as part of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which is a potent chemical messenger between nerve cells and muscles. Acetylcholine was the first neurotransmitter discovered.
It's the key physiological link that causes our muscles to contract. This is why medications (prescription and otherwise) that interfere with the acetylcholine messaging system can have potentially devastating side effects, such as paralysis and seizures. The role of choline in muscle contraction is well established. But clinically, most people intuitively think that muscle cramps are a magnesium deficiency.
However, magnesium deficiency isn't the only nutrient deficiency that can be manifested through muscle problems. Calcium and magnesium are the yin and yang of muscle contraction. To initiate a muscle contraction, calcium is used. However, for a muscle to relax, a sufficient level of magnesium is needed.
Muscle spasms can be caused by a calcium deficiency or a magnesium deficiency. Therefore, these cramps or spasms originate from the inability to contract or the inability to relax a muscle efficiently. Classically, with calcium deficiency, cramps occur more frequently during the day, while with magnesium deficiency, they are often more noticeable at night and during sleep. However, this is not a perfect correlation and more tests need to be done to determine which minerals are missing.
Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency can cause or worsen neck and back pain and muscle spasms. Correcting vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency plays an important role in treating chronic neck and back pain and muscle spasms in patients who have simultaneous vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency, since it can be easily prevented and treated. Fatigue or a general feeling of “exhaustion” is a common symptom associated with many types of nutritional deficiencies, including vitamin D, iron and magnesium deficiencies. Like calcium, vitamin D is also important for bone and muscle health.
The symptoms of a vitamin D deficiency can be quite vague and can manifest as muscle aches or general fatigue. Low iron levels are another common cause of fatigue, and when levels are too low, you can develop a condition called anemia, which occurs when your body doesn't have enough red blood cells to carry oxygen to the rest of the body. Pale skin is another sign of anemia and iron deficiency. Magnesium deficiency can cause fatigue, weakness, loss of appetite, nausea, abnormal heart rhythms, and even seizures.
Current research shows that a very severe vitamin D deficiency is likely to reduce muscle mass and increase muscle weakness. The objective of this report is to examine the association between vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency and chronic neck and back pain and muscle spasms, and the role of correcting vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency in the treatment of chronic pain and muscle spasms, especially in regions of the neck and back.
