B12 and Potassium

[asecretchord]

How much B12 do you need in a day? I'm having some serious cramping in my calves, progressively getting worse. I could barely walk a few minutes ago.

[Humanist]

This does not sound like B12 deficiency. B12 does not need to be taken every day. One B12 shot should cover you up to a year.

I was once paralyzed in both legs from metabolic arthritis, caused by vitamin and mineral supplements. I stopped all supplementation cold turkey and made a full recovery.

If you think your electrolytes are out of balance, get counseling.

[asecretchord]

I just got off the phone with a dietician. She said it's either a protein deficiency or B12 deficiency.

Why would I need counseling for an electrolyte imbalance? From my knowledge, electrolyte imbalance is caused by lack of certain vitamins and minerals. It's not psychological.

[Humanist]

I just got off the phone with a dietician. She said it's either a protein deficiency or B12 deficiency.

Why would I need counseling for an electrolyte imbalance? From my knowledge, electrolyte imbalance is caused by lack of certain vitamins and minerals. It's not psychological.

I meant nutritional counseling, not psychological counseling.

[asecretchord]

I meant nutritional counseling, not psychological counseling.

Sorry. My misunderstanding.

[sprouts2go]

Are you getting enough calcium in your diet?
When I was a kid I had to take calcium magnesium pills for pains in my legs.

[asecretchord]

I'm taking calcium supplements so it can't be that. :confused:

[oceanluv]

I'm taking calcium supplements so it can't be that.
yes it could, not all supplements are bioavailable.many of them pass right through your system. IMHO, your symptoms sound very much like an electrolyte imbalance, rather than calcium defficencey (sp?) if you are drinking lots and lots of water, it could be flushing out your electrolytes. try some homemade "gatoraid" see if that helps. OJ, water, pinch of salt

[asecretchord]

I've had anorexia before with electrolyte imbalance and it was a lot more than cramping in the legs. I was blacking out and having dizzy spells and chest pains. I'm not having any of those symptoms.

I will try and increase my water and see if that helps though. Thank you!

[Humanist]

I'm taking calcium supplements so it can't be that. :confused:

If you are taking supplements I hope you are getting professional supervision, because supplements can be very dangerous if not not properly balanced. Blood and urine tests might be helpful, and there are computer programs that can point out potential problems.

If your urine is clear you are drinking enough water. Drinking too much water can dilute your electrolytes.

[RAWmen-Noodles]

A girl on my football team always got bad calf cramps if she did not take a salt pill or keep some gatorate in her system. You might need more sodium.

[asecretchord]

I'll load my salads up with salt!

My pee is clear so I'm definitely not dehydrated.

[Humanist]

I'll load my salads up with salt!

My pee is clear so I'm definitely not dehydrated.

NO! Don't use salt! It is poison. The safest policy is not to take supplements. They are very concentrated and need to be carefully balanced against one another. As it is almost impossible to do this, they are best eliminated. Let your body balance itself. I see that your weight is higher than your desired weight so you should not be deficient in anything if you are eating raw.

[Dirtymick]

If you are having issues with electrolyte imbalance you may try drinking coconut water from young coconuts. It has tons of electrolytes and would be better than adding more salt to your diet. Iodized salt is definitely bad for you but it's debatable whether sea or Hymalayan salt are problematic. I have read good arguments both ways. If it's an issue with potassium you could add some bananas, peaches or some beet greens to a smoothie. Adding natural foods to try to correct the issue would be safer than trying to address it through pills. I doubt it is a protein deficiency but you would know if that was the case by examining what you eat (average 150lb person needs about 50 grams of protein per day.... if that much really.) Just some thoughts. Good luck correcting the issue.

[asecretchord]

NO! Don't use salt! It is poison. The safest policy is not to take supplements. They are very concentrated and need to be carefully balanced against one another. As it is almost impossible to do this, they are best eliminated. Let your body balance itself. I see that your weight is higher than your desired weight so you should not be deficient in anything if you are eating raw.

I've been using sea salt, as someone recommend here. That's not okay?

So far today has been good and I've only had a smoothie. Maybe it's just something that came and went. I hope.

[Humanist]

Salt is salt, whether it comes from the sea or from a mine. I totally eliminated salt seven years ago because it was giving me chest pains. Since then, my electrolytes have always tested normal and my chest pains have stopped. Only my iodine levels dropped.

[asecretchord]

I thought that your body needs salt?

[kaybee]

there are alot of different opinions on salt. personally, i think its natural to need it, as even animals like deer seek out salt-licks in nature. i would go ahead and use the unrefined sea salt, i think there are bigger things to worry about.

MAGNESIUM is what helps relax your muscles. calcium helps them contract and magnesium helps them relax. alot of people are magnesium deficient. i would try supplementing with magnesium or magnesium oil (david wolfe)... supposedly the oil is more readily absorbed and if you are already magnesium deficient, it is ironically difficult for you to absorb magnesiumn from supplements. i didnt notice much difference using the oil though, personally. but anyway, might want to try mag supplements. i know they sometimes work for menstrual cramps becasue they relax the muscles.

[Humanist]

I thought that your body needs salt?

Your body needs sodium and chloride, which are in raw food, in a form that your body can assimilate. It does not need salt.

[asecretchord]

Thanks for all the advice. No problems with my legs today. :)