Re: Quinine for leg cramps and electrolyte balance

[Guest guest]

I use quinine as a treatment when I get a cramp. It works great in preventing

another one.

In the summer (here in Italy, summer means all days between March of one year

and January of the next!) I drink Gin and Tonic sans Gin. I sweat so much I need

to be sure my electrolytes stay in balance.

Gin and Tonic was developed by the Raj in India as a way to get a daily dose of

chichnona (or Jesuits or Peruvian) bark to fight malaria. The active ingredient

in the bark is quinine. Gin was " ... the spoonful of sugar " that made the

medicine go down, and kept the Raj very happy.

Straight tonic is very refreshing, but a bit bitter. I add a bit of lemon juice

and do enjoy it. Once I erred and tried " sugar free " tonic. I think I was

granted multiple indulgences for even trying that devil's brew.

My simple view of muscle cramps is that they are caused by low serum sodium/high

serum potassium levels that interfere with normal muscle action. A (very) simple

view of muscle contraction is the active transport of sodium into muscle fibers

and a corresponding transport of potassium out of the muscle fibers. When a

muscle relaxes, sodium leaves the fibers and potassium is absorbed. If this

transport is impaired, the muscle remains contracted which is what we call a

cramp.

This very simple model infers we must maintain electrolyte balance through diet,

and if needed, through safe supplementation.

Regards.

--Larry