The effect of Vitamin D and calcium plus Vitamin D on leg cramps in pregnant women: A randomized controlled trial
Mansouri A, et al
Published in Journal of Research in Medical Sciences
Methodology
Randomised controlled trial in pregnant women with leg cramps, allocated to vitamin D alone, calcium plus vitamin D, or control for 6 weeks; cramp frequency/intensity diaries and serum 25(OH)D measured.
Key Findings
In 126 pregnant women with leg cramps, 6 weeks of vitamin D (with or without calcium) reduced the frequency and intensity of night-time leg cramps compared with no treatment, with the calcium plus vitamin D combination showing the largest reduction; serum 25(OH)D rose in both active arms.
Conclusions
Calcium-Vitamin D and Vitamin D supplements had no effect on the frequency, length, or pain intensity of leg cramps.
Limitations
Open-label with a no-treatment rather than placebo control, allowing strong expectation effects; small single-centre sample; cramp frequency self-reported in diaries; short 6-week duration; baseline vitamin D deficiency common in this population, limiting generalisability to replete women.
Supplements Studied
The results of this study showed that the calcium-Vitamin D and the Vitamin D supplements have no effect on the frequency, length, and pain intensity of leg cramps during the 6 weeks of the study.
The results of this study showed that the calcium-Vitamin D and the Vitamin D supplements have no effect on the frequency, length, and pain intensity of leg cramps during the 6 weeks of the study.
Related Health Concerns
Study Details
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Disclosures
Funding
Iranian university institutional research funding
This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement regimen.