Do you ever wonder WHY? Quinine seems to be the only thing a person can take to quickly put a stop to leg cramps, but it's been pulled from the market by the FDA. Why?
Because some people are allergic to it and have "life-threatening" reactions.
So... some people are allergic to peanuts, or milk, or perfume. And LOTS of people are allergic to some of the pharmaceuticals out there. The excuse I read was that it isn't worth the risk of having a bad reaction because leg cramps are not life-threatening.
(Tell that to anyone who is experiencing them - I've heard my husband wishing he could just die and get it over with.)
So why zero in on quinine? My thought? Because it's cheap, it works, and it most likely can't be patented by a pharmaceutical company.
The doctor's column in our newspaper suggested buying quinine water - the kind sold for use in mixed drinks. It's not as strong, but it does help some people. Meanwhile, a good friend swears that drinking plenty of water helps, as does eating two dried prunes each day. (I tried, couldn't get past the first one.) Other people say making bananas a regular part of your diet will keep leg cramps at bay.
And... the doctor's column has mentioned more than once that a bar of soap under your sheet near your legs will prevent cramps. Sounds really crazy, but plenty of people write in that it works.
Maybe if enough people holler, they'll "un-ban" quinine. I doubt it, but it might be worth a try!
Yours for good health,
Marte
Marte Cliff
writer@marte-cliff.com
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