Deficiencies and muscle twitching

[RCQ21]

Hi everyone,

I have been having muscle twitching for the past few months. It just happens randomly in different parts of my body every once in a while. It all started 7 months back when my physiotherapist told me that my body muscles were very tight, especially the shoulders and calf muscles. However the muscle tightness has significantly improved these days.

However the muscle twitching has not stopped. During this 7 month period I started having anxiety, started to become more confused in daily life tasks and my memory isnt as sharp as it was. Is there any vitamin/mineral deficiency which can cause these psychological and muscle symptoms? I carried out a lot of blood tests to check the muscle twitching such as electrolyte levels, thyroid function, kidney function and such. However everything was normal except a low iron level in my blood. Could it be magnesium deficiency,B1, B12 or Vitamin D? Since i did not get tested for those.

[gymdandee]

"Gym believes turmeric (circumin) cures everything"

Curcuma longa is a major constituent of the traditional Chinese medicine Xiaoyao-san, which has been used to effectively manage stress and depression-related disorders in China. Curcumin is the active component of curcuma longa, and its antidepressant effects were described in our prior studies in mouse models of behavioral despair. We hypothesized that curcumin may also alleviate stress-induced depressive-like behaviors and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysfunction. Thus in present study we assessed whether curcumin treatment (2.5, 5 and 10 mg/kg, p.o.) affects behavior in a chronic unpredictable stress model of depression in rats and examined what its molecular targets may be. We found that subjecting animals to the chronic stress protocol for 20 days resulted in performance deficits in the shuttle-box task and several physiological effects, such as an abnormal adrenal gland weight to body weight (AG/B) ratio and increased thickness of the adrenal cortex as well as elevated serum corticosterone levels and reduced glucocorticoid receptor (GR) mRNA expression. These changes were reversed by chronic curcumin administration (5 or 10 mg/kg, p.o.). In addition, we also found that the chronic stress procedure induced a down-regulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) protein levels and reduced the ratio of phosphorylated cAMP response element-binding protein (pCREB) to CREB levels (pCREB/CREB) in the hippocampus and frontal cortex of stressed rats. Furthermore, these stress-induced decreases in BDNF and pCREB/CREB were also blocked by chronic curcumin administration (5 or 10 mg/kg, p.o.). These results provide compelling evidence that the behavioral effects of curcumin in chronically stressed animals, and by extension humans, may be related to their modulating effects on the HPA axis and neurotrophin factor expressions.
Source:U.S. National Library Of Medicine

Valerian has been used to ease insomnia, anxiety, and nervous restlessness since the second century A.D.
Scientists believe Valerian increases GABA a chemical called gamma aminobutyric acid in the brain.
source: University Of Maryland School of Medicine

Vitamin C: 500 to 3,000 mg daily, as an antioxidant. In one study, large doses of vitamin C (3,000 mg per day in a slow release formula) reduced physical and mental responses to stress.
source: University Of Maryland School of Medicine

Fish Oil
Omega-3 supplementation lowers inflammation and anxiety in medical students: a randomized controlled trial.
Observational studies have linked lower omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and higher omega-6 (n-6) PUFAs with inflammation and depression, but randomized controlled trial (RCT) data have been mixed. To determine whether n-3 decreases proinflammatory cytokine production and depressive and anxiety symptoms in healthy young adults, this parallel group, placebo-controlled, double-blind 12-week RCT compared n-3 supplementation with placebo. The participants, 68 medical students, provided serial blood samples during lower-stress periods as well as on days before an exam. The students received either n-3 (2.5 g/d, 2085 mg eicosapentaenoic acid and 348 mg docosahexanoic acid) or placebo capsules that mirrored the proportions of fatty acids in the typical American diet. Compared to controls, those students who received n-3 showed a 14% decrease in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated interleukin 6 (IL-6) production and a 20% reduction in anxiety symptoms, without significant change in depressive symptoms. Individuals differ in absorption and metabolism of n-3 PUFA supplements, as well as in adherence; accordingly, planned secondary analyses that used the plasma n-6:n-3 ratio in place of treatment group showed that decreasing n-6:n-3 ratios led to lower anxiety and reductions in stimulated IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) production, as well as marginal differences in serum TNF-α. These data suggest that n-3 supplementation can reduce inflammation and anxiety even among healthy young adults. The reduction in anxiety symptoms associated with n-3 supplementation provides the first evidence that n-3 may have potential anxiolytic benefits for individuals without an anxiety disorder diagnosis. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00519779.
Source:U.S. National Library Of Medicine
I could keep going but you understand that Paxiled doesn't know all!
So like I posted try what I stated and see if it helps. Some might and some might not.

[Paxiled]

You should cite whoever you're quoting, since you used the term "we."  Circumin is part of turmeric, which isn't native to China, it is native to India and comes from ayurvedic medicine, if that's what you're referring to.  Many "Chinese" herbs aren't Chinese at all, such as licorice or Siberian ginseng -- they came from other places and were borrowed by the Chinese, just as in the West we're borrowing them as well.  But here's the thing -- using an anti-inflammatory under the unproven theory that inflammation causes anxiety is very very time consuming -- it takes a very long time for something like that to work if it will work at all in the human brain, which is unlikely.  Science has not found the cause of anxiety or depression, though anxiety is thought to originate in the amygdyla in the primitive brain, an area scientists have not learned to get to as of yet.  These are tiny studies Gym quotes, probably originated either as graduate student projects or by companies that sell supplements.  Some day they may in fact lead to verifiable results in humans, but again, going after inflammation takes months or years to feel any effect if there is one, and mental illness is debilitating.  Anyone is free to try whatever they want, but again, I'd take this stuff with a grain of salt as somebody who has suffered with anxiety for years and communicated with fellow anxiety sufferers and those who treat us for years.  None of these are used.

[gymdandee]

Pax. as per your quote!

I assume then you don't read my postings! As they all have the source posted at the end of each article above!!

                  QUOTE
"You should cite whoever you're
quoting"

Source:U.S. National Library Of Medicine

source: University Of Maryland School of Medicine

source: University Of Maryland School of Medicine

Source:U.S. National Library Of Medicine

[Paxiled]

You did indeed -- and you're right, sometimes when you repeat yourself with these tiny mouse studies I do skim them.  My bad.

[gymdandee]

I realize you know much, much more because you worked in a health food store. So, that makes you the scientific expert. That being said everyone should only trust your opinion as what to use and do.

[gymdandee]

I'm going to quote What Paxiled often says! "Everyone is different" so if it doesn't help Pax. doesn't mean it can't help you. Just like prescription meds.
they work for some and not others.
  

[gymdandee]

Forgot to add the following!
Vitamin C (as magnesium or calcium ascorbate):  500 to 1000 mg. three times a day between meals. Vitamin E (natural form-Unique E is the
purist form): 400 to 800 IU a day Multivitamin/mineral without iron.
Curcumin 250 mg. twice to three times a day: Curcumin is being shown to be one of the most powerful brain protectants known. A study in the journal Experimental Neurology found that curcumin dramatically improved synaptic plasticity (brain healing), mental ability (cognition)
and reduced free radicals and lipid peroxidation in animals with severe brain injury. Mix the curcumin with a half of a tablespoon of fish oil.
Quercetin (250 mg.) twice to three times a day: Also a powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant for the brain. Mix with the fish oil and curcumin. Fish oil,  It has been shown to specifically reduce brain inflammation and improve healing within the organ. The dose is 2 to 4 grams a day. Keep the oil refrigerated.
Relora: As stated, this reduces cortisol elevation caused by stress. The usual dose is 3 capsules a day with or between meals.
Exercise is important, Studies show that it strengthens the antioxidant
systems and releases endorphins (a morphine-like compound) from the brain, which calms the mood and reduces depression. Excessive exercise
will increase free radicals and can be harmful. Also, exercising in the late evening can cause insomnia.

[Dee1956]

Thank you Gym

[Dee1956]

GYM, thank you so much! I really appreciate.
It's funny I bought this "Amish Cure" for cramps and it is definitely vinegar and some other things.  They have one for cramps another for indigestion.
I recently purchased the Braggs ACV to try
Thanks for the warning about the teeth, I don't need to damage them any more than I have.

I have a grinding or clenching habit at night, have really messed up my teeth

Thanks again, Dee

[gymdandee]

Dee, Cider vinegar is fermented apple juice and contains small quantities of minerals including calcium and potassium. Naturopaths believe that when taken with water and honey, cider vinegar relieves muscle cramps.

Margaret Hills, State Registered Nurse and author of "Cider Vinegar," June 2003, says a dairy-free diet with no animal fat and lots of green salads, combined with 2 tsp. of cider vinegar diluted in water twice daily, will "dissolve acid crystals in the blood" and provide potassium, calcium and other essential minerals to the body needed to ease the leg cramps.

Take care when taking cider vinegar over long periods. Always dilute the cider vinegar in plenty of water and, as with citrus fruits, the acetic acid in vinegar can erode tooth enamel if not properly cleaned off, so always remember to rinse your mouth well after a cider vinegar drink, especially before bed.

[gymdandee]

Dee,You're welcome!

[RCQ21]

It has been longer than a month so far since I have started taking the magnesium oxide supplements. I haven't noticed any real difference. The twitching still persists to this day. Could it be because that it is a bad quality 250 mg magnesium oxide or maybe low mangesium levels isn't my issue?

[Paxiled]

I think a couple of times it was mentioned that the oxide form isn't well absorbed by most people, it's just the cheapest form.  Magnesium might in fact not be the issue, but you'll most likely never know as long as you take the oxide form.

[RCQ21]

Yeah the only difference i have seen is that I can sleep much more easily and that my anxiety has improved. I will try getting a magnesium citrate in the next coming days.

[Paxiled]

Be careful about using apple cider vinegar -- while it's excellent for some people, for others it is an irritant.  It depends on the acidity level you normally have and other factors.  If you're going to experiment but you don't have any expertise in using natural medicine you might want to consult with someone who does, such as a naturopath or practitioner of integrated medicine.  

[Dee1956]

Thank you so much! I will try it.
Do you know what makes that work?

[gymdandee]

Try 1-2 teaspoons of Braggs Organic Apple Cider Vinegar in a glass of water and if you like you can add a little honey. You can take it at each meal if you want. Regular use can help the absorption of calcium and magnesium, which can protect against cramps, especially at night.

[Dee1956]

Thank you, I appreciate, I wanted to make sure I was taking the right kind.  I am having nighttime cramps and muscles seem tight
Dee

[Dee1956]

I use magnesium citrate for muscles that twitch. Is there a better one?

[Paxiled]

Citrate is fine for most people.

[Paxiled]

Take the above with a grain of salt, anxiety sufferers.  I am one, and none of the above is likely to help you.  Sure hasn't helped me any.  Vitamin C in excess will just give you a lot of expensive urine -- and a lot of urine, which can interfere with sleep.  Relora is more of a hormonal relaxant than an anti-anxiety remedy -- it's just a marketing gimmick (magnolia, one of the two main ingredients, is a hormonal balancer more than a relaxant).  Vitamin E for anxiety?  Don't see it.  Gym believes turmeric (circumin) cures everything.  Ayurvedic medicine, as practiced for centuries and where this herb comes from, doesn't.  Again, I use most of these supplements for other purposes, but none has done a thing for my anxiety, or for anyone else's that I know of.  Valerian can be helpful for some people both as a relaxant (works like a mild benzo) and a sleep aid, though as a relaxant other herbs are usually used because of valerian's tendency to cause drowsiness.  Passionflower, kava, and other relaxant herbs are used more frequently, in combination with a lot of other remedies in a holistic program, to treat anxiety, but I've never heard of any of the above used for that purpose in my own attempts at treatment and in 18 years selling them in health food stores.  Fish oil is associated some with depression, but not with anxiety, and if you do use it for mental health you have to take quite a bit.  Quercitin can be a useful anti-histamine, especially when combined with bromelain and Vitamin C, but if you take too much you will become immune to its effects.  I eat a ton of vegetables, but haven't had any anxiety reduction because of them.  There are a lot of natural remedies out there that have been used and are being used for anxiety.  A good book to read for an overview is Natural Highs by Hyla Cass, a psychiatrist at UCLA.  She uses them in her practice, so although this book isn't new, it will offer an idea of how an actual practitioner uses different remedies rather than the experimental studies often cited by Gym.  On the other hand, I do recommend the supplements he cites for other purposes, and it might help with your pain.  His advice on what to avoid is great advice.  I just don't think the anti-anxiety effects he's citing match up with what works in practice, and since there are so many alternatives that are being actively used such as adrenal balancers, relaxant herbs, and amino acids and that have had some success I'd go with those, but again, these are some highly beneficial supplements Gym has mentioned if taken in proper amounts.  More is not always better, and really, taking a ton of Vitamin C really will make you pee a lot more than you want to.  I don't believe Relora works for true anxiety, but it can work if hormonal imbalance of female hormones is your problem.

[gymdandee]

Evidence that monosodium glutamate (MSG) and other excitotoxins in foods and beverages can induce a panic disorder in experimental animals a reaction
that exactly resembles what are happening in humans. low magnesium can magnify this effect.
Carbonated soft drinks, among other causes. Also, a number of prescription medications can cause the magnesium problem.
You need to avoid excitotoxins in your food. These are MSG, aspartame,
hydrolyzed proteins, vegetable protein, isolated protein, soy products including soy protein isolates, soy protein and soy milk, natural flavoring, sodium or calcium caseinate and others. All of these food additives worsen brain excitation and have been shown to specifically target the amygdala nucleus a set of neurons in the brain’s temporal lobe.
Increase your vegetable intake to at least 5 servings a day. Many of the flavonoids in vegetables have been shown to reduce anxiety especially hesperidin, quercetin and curcumin. All three are available as supplements. The dose is 250 mg. of each three times a day. Quercetin comes in a
water-soluble form. Otherwise it must be dissolved in either fish oil or extra-virgin olive oil.
Reduce your intake of fats especially saturated fats and omega-6 fats vegetable oils, like as corn, safflower, peanut, sunflower, soybean and canola oils. Studies show that animals on high-fat diets release more cortisol and take longer to recover from stress than those on low-fat diets.
Magnesium is a natural calmative agent. It reduces excitotoxicity and when taken at bedtime, it helps with sleep. It also reduces the immune
over-reactivity seen with anxiety disorders. In addition, it reduces your risk of heart disease, stroke and type-2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome.
White tea contains a flavonoid called
epigallocatechin gallate. This has been shown to calm the brain and reduce
anxiety. White tea has a higher level of this flavonoid and much less fluoride than green tea.
valerian has been shown to activate the same calming brain GABA receptor. It has been used to induce sleep and calms anxiety during the day. It should not be mixed with medications that act as sedatives or
tranquilizers.
Try to avoid caffeine. People with anxiety disorders hyper react to stimulants, such as caffeine.

[RCQ21]

I just came back from the neurologist appointment. He examined me and told me that there is nothing to worry about as I am showing all signs of normal neurological function.

He says it is BFS ( benign fasciculation syndrome) since my twitching is very random and highly related to anxiety. He told me to continue using the magnesium supplements as it might also help.

[Paxiled]

Sorry, meant to say magnesium oxide is the least well-absorbed form.  By the way, Gym is right, a neurologist isn't a surgeon, that's not what I was distancing myself from him about -- it's mostly the trolling he gets into when anyone disagrees with him.  I was more trying to say that medical doctors of all types do not study nutrition very much and the response was, that's what they do.  No, they don't.  But he's right, they also don't do surgery.  Hope that ends that part of this and we can go back to helping the poster.

[gymdandee]

"mostly the trolling he gets into when anyone disagrees with him"
"the pot calling the kettle black"
I see you NEVER disagree with me!
You 99% of the time disagree with whatever I might post!

[Paxiled]

I'm pretty much through aiding you in hijacking posts, so I haven't been answering your rants anymore.  Just in case you haven't noticed.

[Paxiled]

Magnesium is the least well-absorbed form.  Citrates and taureates are good -- taureates are thought to be best for calming the nerves, though I have no idea if this would hold up under extensive study.

[gymdandee]

I would say magnesium gluconate would be best to take. Why not wait until
you see the doctor tomorrow and see what he/she says.

[RCQ21]

I have started taking magnesium orally as a form of Magnesium oxide. How long does it take the supplement to have full effect? Also im seeing the neurologist tomorrow just in case.

[gymdandee]

The only nutrition I stated was coffee and magnesium! As you stated magnesium. I stated a Neurologist to see if they have nerve problem.

[gymdandee]

You don't know what you're talking about!
Neurologists don't do surgery!! A neurosurgeon does surgery!

[Paxiled]

There are few physicians I would trust with nutrition advice -- they don't study it in med school, and a neurologist's post graduate training is mainly in surgery.  It's also true that some of the things that help people a lot only help some people and don't have double blind studies to back it up and it isn't sold by pharmaceutical companies, so docs don't ever see it.  Just ask your neurologist what supplements you shouldn't take before he operates on you -- guarantee he won't have a clue.  

[gymdandee]

That's one of the things they do!