A question to the older gripsters (50+)

[maidenfan]

I’ve noticed as I’ve aged (I’ll be 55 this year) muscle cramps have really increased (just in the last few years).  I drink a fair amount of water per day (.75 to 1.5 gallons per day), so I don’t think it’s a hydration problem.  Maybe a mineral deficiency?  Any experience with this?   Would love to hear your thoughts. 

[Blacksmith513]

37 minutes ago, maidenfan said:

I’ve noticed as I’ve aged (I’ll be 55 this year) muscle cramps have really increased (just in the last few years).  I drink a fair amount of water per day (.75 to 1.5 gallons per day), so I don’t think it’s a hydration problem.  Maybe a mineral deficiency?  Any experience with this?   Would love to hear your thoughts. 

I’ve heard of trade guys drinking pickle  juice for cramps. 

[Climber028]

Typically you need potassium and magnesium, many people are already deficient at baseline but exercising consumes these minerals faster, especially if you drink enough water. There's tons of electrolyte drink powders you can buy such as LMNT or Re-lyte or Keto-vitals. You can also make your own by bulk buying the powders and mixing them, some popular recipes are snake juice and keto-aide, depends really if you just wanna buy something convenient or if you want to save some cash. Just make sure it has all 3, magnesium potassium and sodium. Calcium can be included but isn't necessary since it's rarely an issue, and don't get one totally loaded with sugar. If you eat a relatively low carb diet you also need more electrolytes than normal

[John Knowlton]

 drinking pickle works or a tablespoon of mustard on the onset of a cramp,

BUT knock on wood ever since I started taking magnesium, I have had no cramps.

[Fist of Fury]

Reduce your intake of uneccesary carbs and do more cardio.

Drink enough water and have a good diet.

[Hubgeezer]

I have more than a decade on you, and muscle cramps have not been an issue.

i used  creatine a couple of times at Age 53, and the capsule types (not the powder) gave me terrible cramps. Other than that, none so far.

[Vinnie]

Just turned 55 last month.  I think I cramp up and feel stiff by a little more than when I was younger, but nothing especially troubling.  I may see if any of the suggestions here make it better, but I am not too concerned about it.

[CruxGripman]

On 5/17/2024 at 12:25 AM, maidenfan said:

I’ve noticed as I’ve aged (I’ll be 55 this year) muscle cramps have really increased (just in the last few years).  I drink a fair amount of water per day (.75 to 1.5 gallons per day), so I don’t think it’s a hydration problem.  Maybe a mineral deficiency?  Any experience with this?   Would love to hear your thoughts. 

Some one answered your question very well already which is that water in not enough to hydrate you, you need electrolytes (sodium, potassium, magnesium etc) 

I take hydration pretty serious as a jiujitsu athlete, most supplements are pretty bad (I have tried dozens and dozens) I heavily suggest a product called ‘Trace minerals: electrolyte stamina’ you can buy it on Iherb 

 

 

[Kashtan]

We need a lot of water when we do a lot of physical exercise. Minerals that are beneficial to us inevitably leave with water, and they need to be compensated. You most likely need electrolytes. All the advice above is correct.