If you’re researching supplements for muscle cramps, look no further. Spaz-Out® is a mineral electrolyte-packed supplement by Metabolic Maintenance that is specifically designed to help prevent muscle cramps after exercise.
This product has been fine-tuned to provide optimal balance of minerals most at risk of deficiency after strenuous exercise. This formula contains calcium, magnesium, zinc, chromium, and potassium. Low levels of these mineral electrolytes can cause muscle cramping. Spaz-Out® can be taken before or after heavy exercise, or before bed to help you relax into sleep.
Aside from their relationship to cramping, electrolyte supplements such as Spaz-Out® can help retain hydration, improve exercise ability, and reduce exercise-related fatigue [1].
What Causes Muscle Cramps after Exercise
If you’re not typically prone to cramping, but have started experiencing muscle cramps after exercise, it may be a result of:
- Dehydration
- Lack of potassium or calcium
- Lack of other essential electrolytes
Electrolytes such as potassium, sodium, and magnesium play an important role in the electrical functions of your cells. Electrolytes break down into ions, which are electrically charged particles that contribute to certain functions within the body. These functions include blood pressure, nerve impulses, muscle movements and contractions, and fluid balance.
4 Ways to Reduce Your Risk of Muscle Cramping
If your muscle cramping is caused by heavy exercise and you haven’t suffered a significant injury, your cramping may be caused by dehydration, electrolyte deficiency, over exertion, or all of the above.
1. Hydrate
Drink water before, during, and after a workout. Try to drink at least 8-16 ounces (240-480 ml) of water before exercise and then continue to drink 7-10 ounces (200-300 ml) of water every 10-20 minutes during exercise and your cool down period to maintain hydration [2].
Every body is unique in its hydration requirements. Checking the color of your urine is the easiest way to know whether you are well-hydrated. Dehydration can be observed in urine that is dark yellow in color. Well-hydrated urine should be nearly clear. Very bright yellow urine can be a sign of excess water soluble vitamins (mostly B vitamins) passing through the body and is not a sign of dehydration.
2. Take Spaz-Out®
If your workouts cause significant sweating due to exertion, heat, or humidity, consider consuming electrolytes in advance. This may prevent a depletion occurring during exercise. It can still be taken after exercise to have a replenishing effect if a depletion does occur.
Spaz-Out® is a scientifically designed formula that replenishes specific essential minerals electrolytes that are lost during heavy exercise. By replenishing these minerals, your body is able to better regulate its fluid balance inside and outside cells, balance electrical impulses, and otherwise manage functions regulated by electrolytes [1].
3. Stretch & Warm Up
Stretching out the muscles you experience cramps in before and after exercising can help to prevent cramping. As can starting with gentler movements (warming up) before exerting yourself fully.
4. Maintain a Healthy Diet
Electrolytes and supplements for muscle cramps are great, but they are just that: supplementary. The basis of your diet should also be healthy and well-balanced. If you need help figuring out what that looks like for your particular exercise routine, try talking to a sports nutritionist, who specializes in athletic diet planning.
What about when you already have a cramp?
If you’re currently experiencing cramping in your muscles, one of the best things you can do is move around. Walk around, jiggle, or pump your legs or joints, and vigorously rub the muscles. A hot or cold compress may help cause a shift in the muscle. Rubbing a heating and cooling muscle rub into the muscle can also help bring relief.
Drink plenty of water and, if you believe you may be electrolyte deficient, take some electrolytes (or a Spaz-Out®) to help replenish those materials in your body.
Bottom Line
By maintaining hydration and electrolyte levels (in part through supplements for muscle cramps), athletes can better regulate fluid balance inside and outside of cells, and can better manage electrical impulses contributing to muscle movement and contraction. A multi-mineral electrolyte supplement like Spaz-Out® can be an essential tool for athletes looking to maintain balanced electrolyte levels without the added sugar or artificial flavorings found in sports drinks.
Learn more about Spaz-Out®, its nutritional makeup, and benefits here:
https://www.metabolicmaintenance.com/Musculoskeletal-Health/Spaz-Outreg/
References
- Choi, Dong-Hun, et al. “Effects of Electrolyte Supplements on Body Water Homeostasis and Exercise Performance during Exhaustive Exercise.” Applied Sciences 11.19 (2021): 9093.
- Coyle, Edward F. “Fluid and fuel intake during exercise.” Journal of sports sciences 22.1 (2004): 39-55.