Can low iodine cause leg cramps, muscle twitching? - PaleoHacks.com

Can low iodine cause leg cramps, muscle twitching?

2012-04-05T20:35:15Z

Sometimes I use that pink Himalaya fancy salt.
Sometimes I use Redmond RealSalt. I'm not sure if either contains iodine like the good old Morton's Regular Salt.

Could low iodine contribute in any way to muscle cramps or muscle twitching?

(Just a wild shot in the dark).

Thanks, Mike

Answer by LaurenM for Can low iodine cause leg cramps, muscle twitching?

2012-04-05T21:01:44Z

Twitching could be from an electrolyte/mineral imbalance, but whether it's iodine or not I can't say. Real salts will not have as much iodine as fortified table salt, but that's no reason to use the fortified stuff. Try adding dried seaweed to your pepper grinder or snacking on it straight up (my toddler loves it) as long as it's a "clean" source. Get to know the soil your food comes from. Eat more saltwater fish or invertebrates. The standard recommendation for cramps is magnesium - many people are deficient, particularly after a carb/sugar-heavy diet. Check that it's in balance with calcium (and potassium? not sure) if you're going to supplement. Upper dose is just shy of whatever gives you loose stools.

Answer by orust for Can low iodine cause leg cramps, muscle twitching?

2012-04-06T06:15:42Z

It's worth topping up your iodine intake which can drop on paleo as you exclude (minimally) fortified sources; a little seaweed weekly or regular seafood is enough for a reasonable amount.

However iodine isn't important in nerve conduction and muscle contraction compared with major electrolytes like potassium, sodium and calcium. Think about your intake for these. If you've recently started a low carb diet there are electrolyte shifts as you offload fluid, hence the advice to eat potassium rich greens/tomatoes/avocado/some fruit, and to drink salty broth/bouillon for sodium. Severe low calcium typically causes more dramatic spasm in muscles (in the wrist and feet - carpopedal spasm), and is typically preceded by tingling around the mouth.

For cramps magnesium seems to be the most common electrolyte cause, and in general I would suggest covering your bases with a good diet and considering a trial of magnesium supplements, like some cheap magnesium citrate. If the cause is potassium, supplements are pointless as you'd get greater amounts from the right foods. As there's not a video of you twitching away be your own judge of how bad it is, and if it's significant or persistent, or is combined with other symptoms have it looked into of course. All the best.

Also: http://paleohacks.com/questions/2693/paleo-diet-and-leg-cramps#axzz1rC8dpT7o

Answer by ngreen for Can low iodine cause leg cramps, muscle twitching?

2012-11-06T20:02:39Z

I recently decided that after eating Real Salt I have muscle cramps in my feet and lower legs. The cramps in my feet even come during the day. I have tested this theory several times with the same result - cramps when I take Real Salt. I don't understand it as Real Salt with all of its minerals are supposed to be useful to PREVENT muscle cramps. What is going on?