A bodybuilder told me at the competition, they take potassium to stop cramps. Then if they take too much potassium, they take some salt to balance it out. is this true? if you are a body builder do you do it?
Thing
Favorite Answer
Cramping can be prevented by increasing your potassium intake. Your muscles need potassium to expand and contract (basically what's needed for muscle movement). When they don't have enough potassium, they basically freeze up and can't move. So when they freeze up while they are contracted, that's what's called a cramp.
zackmurphy
That's funny. Bodybuilders think they know so much....
Potassium can help with cramping if you're dehydrated. Salt (sodium) is ALSO an electrolyte, just like potassium, so they do mostly the same thing. One doesn't balance the other. Both will serve to hold water in the body.
Stay hydrated, and eat some fruit if you're getting cramps. Bananas are good for this.
lv_consultant
I am not a competitive bodybuilder but that is common practice. during a bulking period most just eat more banana's. when dieting down for a show and every calorie is counted calorie free supplements are utilized.
the sodium/potassium (Na+/K-) pump as some call it utilizes both sodium and potassium to optimize cell efficiency and cell volume. sodium is removed from the cell and potassium is increased in the cell.
?
Potassium is "Part" of it.
You being low on Calcium and Magnesium is most often the cause of muscle cramps.(even for those that don't work out)