I've been dieting for about 3 weeks now, getting ready for spring. I've slowly cut down on carbs since this seems to be the best way for me to lose BF. This has always happened to me in the past, and it started again with this diet. My calves cramp while I'm asleep. It usually happens in the early morning hours-today at 4:00a.m. My diet consists of 2-3 protein shakes a day, 2 servings of lean red meat, or chicken with a salad(mostly lettuce), and about 1 to 2 times a week, a baked potato. On weekends, I eat more carbs such as pasta etc., but not a large amount. I also drink a lot of coffee during the day

What supps or foods can prevent the cramping. I used to take a mag/calcium supp every day, but haven't done that lately. I don't take any extra potassium, since I'm on an ACE inhibitor(although I wonder if the warning pertains to prescription potassium supps as opposed to over the counter supps).

I'm going to add the mag/calcium again, and maybe a potassium supp to supply what I don't get since I cut out potatoes most of the week. Any other suggestions? Thanks, Jon.

How much water do you drink a day? And how much of it do you drink before bed?

I mix my shakes with water, but if you mean plain old water, probably less than .5 gal. I also take 2-3 grms of vit.C a day which is a natural diuretic, so I think you're on to something here. I want to drink about 1 gal/day but it's been so god-awful cold here the last 2 months, that I wind up drinking more hot coffee instead. I know I don't have prostate problems(cause I pee like a race-horse)-so I should add a lot more water. Thanks, Rob.

Maybe consider adding in a few grams of taurine as well...? It's good stuff!

It helps a bit if I increase sodium and water intake, keep my muscles a bit warmer.

I still get cramps from carb depletion, just not as often -- I think one's body adapts.

Yeah, you need to find a balance. Not enough water and you'll dehydrate somewhat. too much and you can wash out a lot of your minerals, causing electrical imbalances.

I'm on an ACE inhibitor and was told by my doctor to avoid potassium supplements and stuff like that salt substitute. Normal food intake is OK.

I have to eat a LOT of salt just to keep my blood sodium level at the low end of normal range. My blood potassium levels are consistently mid normal range. YMMV. I salt everything liberally before I even taste it.

Have you had your blood electrolyte levels checked lately? I strongly suggest doing so. I was hospitalized for having a dangerously low level of sodium once, a long story....

[quote name='tlow4u' date='Mar 13 2007, 03:32 AM' post='391948']
I'm on an ACE inhibitor and was told by my doctor to avoid potassium supplements and stuff like that salt substitute. Normal food intake is OK.

Me too. I take 12.5mgs of Captapril each night. I mainly take it because Spook recommended it along with fish oil and low dose asprin to help reduce VAT. My BP is usually around 117-120 over 70 something, so if I lose the wt. I plan on this spring, I may just get off altogether.

I've been drinking a lot more water this week, and I've had no cramping since. I also went back to a Cal/Mag cap with lunch, and ZMA before bed. Something is working!

How has the captapril, fish oil, and low dose aspirin worked for reducing VAT?

I will try and search for the thread where spook posts this advice.

I lost a couple of inches, but I seem to have more SAT now-almost like I exchanged some VAT for some SAT There's all kinds of books out now on the "metabolic syndrome" and they all give a generic number for waist size-over 40" for a man is dangerous, but they don't differenciate between VAT and SAT. They do say that a fat ass isn't as dangerous as a fat gut. I presented this argument to my doc. I'm 6'1" and have a 43" waistline. I can guarantee that if I got rid of all my SAT, I would have a 36"37" waist. According to the books, I would then be out of the danger zone. I'm back on a more intense diet program now, and plan on losing 15-20lbs by Memorial Day.

ps, I also had hernia surgery a couple of years ago, and recently saw something on T.V. about a recall on certain meshes used during abdominal surgery. I should call and find out if I have one of these, but I'm so sick of hospitals at this point, I've been putting it off. This could be a reason for some of the stomach sag that I attribute to VAT, but I don't know at this point. Anyhow, I think Spook's advice helped somewhat.