Imagine that you are suddenly awoken from a sound sleep by painful cramps in your leg muscles. Many of you don’t have to imagine it; you live with it.

SOURCE: https://cleverhthemag.com/2020/09/30/a-case-of-calf-muscle-cramps/

    A recent study showed that Vitamin K2 can reduce the frequency of nighttime leg cramps. Half the participants received 180 micrograms of Vitamin K2 (as the MK-7 form), the other half took an identical placebo. Compared to the placebo group, the K2 group had fewer cramps after one week. They continued to improve during the 8 weeks of the study.

    Based on this report, as well as a study done with dialysis patients, Vitamin K2 is effective and safe. However, it can neutralize the blood thinner warfarin (Coumadin). If you take warfarin, talk to the doctor who prescribed it before starting Vitamin K2. There are no interactions with other blood thinners.

    Vitamin K2 helps the body put calcium into bone, while preventing calcium deposition in the blood vessels. It is difficult to get from dietary sources, so I recommend that all of my patients take it.

    As for minerals and leg cramps, I find that magnesium is helpful for some people, calcium for others. But if you suffer from leg cramps and do not take Vitamin K2, it’s worth a try!