Evidence supporting the use of: Magnesium
For the health condition: Cramps and Spasms

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Magnesium is commonly used to support or treat muscle cramps and spasms, with its use grounded in both physiological rationale and scientific evidence, though the strength of evidence varies depending on the population and context. Magnesium is an essential mineral involved in neuromuscular transmission and muscle contraction. Deficiency in magnesium can increase neuromuscular excitability, leading to cramps and spasms. Clinical trials have shown that magnesium supplementation can reduce the frequency and severity of cramps in specific groups, such as pregnant women with leg cramps and individuals with magnesium deficiency. However, studies in the general population and in cases of idiopathic (cause unknown) muscle cramps have yielded mixed results, with some randomized controlled trials finding little to no benefit over placebo. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses, such as those published in the Cochrane Database, generally conclude that magnesium may be effective for cramps during pregnancy but shows limited benefit for idiopathic cramps in the general population. Despite this, magnesium supplementation is considered low risk and is widely used both in clinical practice and as an over-the-counter remedy for muscle cramps. In summary, while the evidence is not overwhelmingly strong for all populations, the physiological basis and positive results in certain groups justify the scientific rating.

More about magnesium
More about Cramps and Spasms

Other health conditions supported by magnesium

Addictions (drugs)
Addictions (general remedies for)
Aging (prevention)
Alcoholism
Alkalosis
Alzheimer's Disease
Angina
Anorexia
Anxiety
Anxiety Disorders
Apathy
Arrhythmia
Arteriosclerosis
Arthritis
Asthma
Athletic and Exercise Aids
Attention Deficit Disorder
Autism
Autoimmune Disorders
Backache
Bipolar Mood Disorder
Birth Control (countering side effects)
Body Building
Body Odor
Boils
Broken Bones
Bronchitis
Bulimia
Calcium Deficiency
Calcium Deposits
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Canker Sores
Carbuncles
Cardiac Arrest
Cardiovascular Disease
Chest Pain
Colon (atonic)
Dysmenorrhea
Emotional Sensitivity
Endurance (lack of)
Energy (lack of)
Epilepsy
Exercise
Fatigue
Fibromyalgia Syndrome
Headache (cluster)
Headache (tension)
Hearing Loss
Heart (weakness)
Mental Illness
Migraine
Mood Swings
Muscle Tone (lack of)
Nerve Damage
Nervous Exhaustion
Nervousness
Neurosis
Numbness
Osteoporosis
Oxygen Deficiency
Pain (general remedies for)
Paralysis
Pets (supplements for)
PMS (general)
PMS Type A
PMS Type C
PMS Type D
PMS Type H
PMS Type P
Post Partum Depression
Post Partum Weakness
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Pregnancy (herbs and supplements for)
Progesterone (low)
Psoriasis
Restless Leg Syndrome
Rhinitis
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Seizures
Senility
Shock
Skin (dry and/or flaky)
Skin Care (general)
Sleep (restless and disturbed)
Stress
Sugar Cravings
Surgery (healing from)
Surgery (preparation for)
Tachycardia
Tension
Testosterone (low)
Tetanus
Thinking (cloudy)
Tics
Tinnitus
TMJ
Tooth Decay
Toxemia
Triglycerides (high)
Twitching
Wasting
Wheezing
Worry
Wounds and Sores
Adrenal Fatigue
Abscesses
Allergies (respiratory)
Abdominal Pain
Acid Indigestion
Cholesterol (high)
Circulation (poor)
Constipation (adults)
Convulsions
Cramps (leg)
Cramps (menstrual)
Cramps and Spasms
Depression
Diabetes
Digestion (poor)
Dizziness
Gastritis
Headache (general)
Heart Fibrillation or Palpitations
Hypertension
Insomnia