Hi all, I've been carnivore for almost 3 years now and still struggle with leg cramps almost every night.

I'm new to this community and I'm hoping someone can help me find the solution to the cramps.

I've tried several different ways of taking electrolytes. Also, had symptoms of dehydration though drinking excess water. I've reduced water intake and dehydration has gotten better. I've tried increasing salt intake and also reducing salt intake with no change. I've also tried exercising and stretching.

I'm now thinking I should try a blood test to see if something is missing or in excess. What kind of blood test should I take and how do I interpret the results? Is there anyone here that has similar issues and found relief?

Welcome to Carnivore Talk Cindy,

I’m sorry you are going through this cramping issue. Most of us do experience at time to time.

I think getting a blood test is a good idea rather than just guessing at it.

For me, I drink a lot of water and if I’m working outside all day in the heat I’ll have to take a LMNT packet or I’ll be getting cramps.

Cramps are generally not so much due to sodium as much as it is a magnesium deficiency. Because we are carnivores we tend to flush out electrolytes. Some people are capable of getting what they need from their food but some can’t so we must supplement.

I will put salt on my food and I also salt my water throughout the day. I also take a magnesium glycogen supplement every night before bed. Even at that I’ll sometimes get woke up in the middle of the night with a cramp and when I do I’ll take a heaping tablespoon of yellow mustard like a medicine. So far every time I do that it has alleviated the cramp.

Welcome to the community.

I have cramps on occasion. A couple heaping spoons of mustard fixes things just about immediately.

Usually, cramps fall between hydration, salt and magnesium. I think a blood test might help you get to a better spot quicker than trial and error.

Before then, the mustard and pickle juice can off some immediate relief. ( I know the mustard works and have heard/read the pickle juice works, some say better, but between pickle juice and cramps, I will take the cramps. LOL

Good luck, and again, welcome.

Scott

Something to consider;

Do you drink tea, red wine or coffee? Also, do you cook over Oak wood, especially smoking meat?

The reason I mention this is because some people, like me, are sensitive to tannins. Tea, especially black, green, and oolong teas, are high in tannins.

Likewise, Oak and some other hard woods also have tannins. While we don't usually eat Oak wood, tannins can be absorbed into the meat during smoking.

For me, tannins cause cramping and 'Charlie horses'. By eliminating iced tea, I got rid of my issue with tannins.

Thank you for the responses. I do still take magnesium glycinate every night. I haven't tried mustard, but would really like to be able to sleep all night without having to get up and eat mustard. Doesn't sound like something I'd want on my empty stomach. I will try it for relief though since the cramps can last for a long time.

I will also quit eating our smoked bacon we make to see if that doesn't help. We smoke it with red alder and use it for bacon burgers, eggs and bacon and hamburger.

In the meantime, what type of blood test should I get?

I forgot to mention, I don't drink tea or coffee. I only drink distilled water with redmans salt added.

The standard blood test used to check electrolytes is usually called a Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP) or a Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP).

These tests commonly measure:

• Sodium

• Potassium

• Chloride

• Bicarbonate (CO₂)

• Calcium (on many CMPs)

• Kidney function markers like creatinine and BUN

• Glucose

A CMP includes everything in a BMP plus additional liver-related tests and proteins.

If someone is specifically concerned about hydration, muscle cramps, weakness, heart rhythm issues, medication effects, or conditions affecting electrolyte balance, doctors may also order:

• Magnesium

• Phosphorus

• Sometimes ionized calcium or other specialized labs

You can also get an electrolyte panel...

https://ownyourlabs.com/test/77efb80e-2b60-4866-9823-886b3889fc87?back=%2Fshop

It's also worth noting that nighttime cramps may have other causes that are unrelated to electrolytes. You can start with the blood test, and you might see where you can add or back off on certain electrolytes. But it's things look fine, we night have to keep digging.

Thanks for the info on the blood tests. Are there sites on line that can help interpret the results once I get them?

I’m new to Carnivore(3.5 months). I’ve experienced nighttime legs cramps as well. I haven’t had and since I start drinking a little pickle juice morning and evening. I bought a gallon at Walmart for 3.98.

Yep.

Type in Basic metabolic Panel and there are hundreds of sites that will interpret the numbers for you.

Scott

Nice. Thanks so much Scott. Now I'll just need to get the blood drawn. Hopefully something will show up that I'll be able to address.