Nocturnal leg cramps, those sudden and painful muscle spasms that often strike at night, are a common issue for older adults. Unfortunately, effective treatment options have been limited. However, a recent placebo-controlled trial from China offers hope with the use of vitamin K2 (menaquinone).

In this study, 200 adults aged 65 or older who frequently experienced nighttime leg cramps participated. All had reported more than two episodes of cramps in the two weeks before the trial began. Importantly, individuals with health conditions or medications linked to muscle cramps were excluded.

For eight weeks, participants were randomly assigned to take either 180 µg of vitamin K2 or a placebo daily. The results were impressive: those receiving vitamin K2 experienced significantly fewer cramps, averaging just one episode per week compared to 3.6 episodes in the placebo group. Additionally, the cramps were shorter in duration and less severe for those on the active treatment.

Notably, no side effects were linked to vitamin K2, highlighting its potential as a safe and effective option for managing nocturnal leg cramps.

These findings suggest that vitamin K2 could become a valuable tool in alleviating the discomfort and disruption caused by nighttime leg cramps, especially for older adults. If you or a loved one struggles with this issue, consulting a healthcare professional about vitamin K2 might be worth considering.