One of the biggest fears of any runner is getting muscle cramps on race day. Step up your nutrition plan to make sure your muscles have sufficient levels of all the nutrients that could help prevent muscle cramps.

Did you know?

Leg cramps are not always caused by nutrient deficiencies. Exercise induced muscle cramps may occur due to decreased blood supply to the muscles, which is why the cramps stop when you stop running. Overtraining, or starting with a new exercise regime, may also result in muscle cramps during exercise. A biokineticist will help you to manage these factors to reduce muscle cramps.

Nutrition related causes of muscle cramps

An imbalance in, or a shortage of some nutrients may trigger or contribute to muscle cramps.

Magnesium and Calcium: These two minerals work closely together in supporting muscle contraction. A deficiency in either of these may trigger or aggravate muscle cramps. During exercise, the body loses magnesium through sweat and urinary losses may also contribute to a magnesium deficiency. Most people do not consume sufficient levels of magnesium and calcium through their diets, which is why supplementation is recommended.

Sodium and Potassium: These two nutrients are called electrolytes (or salts), which participate in energy and muscle metabolism during exercise. Sodium and potassium is lost through perspiration (that is why your sweat tastes salty), so supplementation before and during exercise is recommended.

Water: Dehydration, or over-hydration during exercise is very likely to cause muscle cramps, notably because it is associated with an imbalance in electrolytes in the blood and muscles.

5 Calcium sources

Tinned fish (tinned sardines, pilchards, mackerel)

Dairy (milk, yoghurt, cheese)

Nuts (almonds, cashew nuts, pecan nuts, hazelnuts)

Seeds (sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds)

Soya milk (enriched with calcium)

6 Magnesium sources

Dark green leafy vegetables (spinach, swiss chard, rocket)

Dark chocolate

Pumpkin seeds

Coconut

Avocado

Red meat

6 Sodium sources

Salt: ideally vegetable, sea salt or Himalayan salt

Soy sauce

Feta cheese

Olives

Biltong

Pickled gherkins

6 Potassium sources

Guava (dried guava roll, fresh guavas or guava juice)

Celery

Tomato

Potato

Banana

Beans

Pre-exercise booster

This recipe is packed with magnesium, calcium and potassium – the ideal pre-run meal, to enjoy 60 minutes or longer before exercise.

RECIPE: Cashew-Cocoa-Coconut Booster:

In a blender, combine 1 small banana, ¼ cup cashew nuts, 1 tablespoon desiccated coconut or coconut shavings, 1 heaped teaspoon cocoa powder (or Nomu Skinny Hot Chocolate powder) and 250ml milk, to make a delicious smoothie (or replace the milk with yoghurt for a thicker smoothie bowl consistency).

In your race belt / pack:

Calcium & magnesium tablets: for events longer than two hours, take 200-400mg calcium and 100-200mg magnesium after the first two hours.

Rehydrat Sport: for events longer than one hour, take one sachet Rehydrat Sport every hour, especially on hot days when you perspire a lot.

Post-exercise recovery:

Magnesium tablets: 100-200 mg magnesium taken immediately after exercise will help with recovery and prevent muscle cramps.

Rehydrat Sport: one sachet immediately after exercise will help muscle recovery and may help prevent muscle cramps.

RECIPE: Biltong, Avo & Rocket Recovery Salad:

On a bed of rocket, place sliced biltong, sliced gherkins, pumpkin seeds, cocktail tomatoes and celery slices. Top with avocado slices, sprinkle with crumbled feta and drizzle with balsamic glaze for an extra punch of flavour and potassium.

Supplement Shopping List:

Magnesium & calcium: because they work so closely together, magnesium in combination with calcium is ideal.

Potassium & sodium: These electrolytes are found in combination in Rehydrat and Rehydrat Sport.

For more information, visit: http://www.capetownmarathon.com/; www.fedhealth.co.za

For any nutrition related questions, visit: www.facebook.com/andreaduplessis.nutrition.expert