Magnesium supplements to improve muscle recovery?

Nutrition
1

In the summer I completed the BC Bike Race, a 7-day mountain bike stage race. After one of the stages I was getting a post-race massage when I got a sudden and intense cramp in one of my hamstrings. I don’t often have cramping issues on the bike, but post-race they’re quite common for me. When it happened, the massage therapist recommended that I head over to the medical tent and ask for a spoonful of magnesium. She said it helps the muscles to repair themselves which is obviously a key part of any stage race.

Since the race, I’ve been looking for more information and science to back up what she told me. I often come across people saying they use magnesium supplements to prevent cramping on the bike, but I haven’t found anything that supports the muscle repair theory. If she’s right, then magnesium supplements would be a good idea to take during a stage race even if you’re not suffering from cramping of any kind.

Have you come across any science to back this up?

2

I’ve been taking the Pure Vitamin Club broad spectrum mag for about 9 months now. I’ve had less cramping problems but I’ve also been a lot more liberal with electrolytes across the board.

I think the big get with magnesium is when you take it before bed because it really helps with sleep.

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3

I have been taking ZMA for years…supposed to help you sleep better too.

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