Muscle Cramps

There has been some recent nutritional talk about using pickle juice to help with muscle cramps. It received a lot of attention because of endorsements by Dallas Cowboy football players and the Philadelphia Eagles' head trainer Rick Burkholder. However I strongly caution against relying on pickle juice for cramp curing or even routine prevention. The nutritional science behind it is that pickle juice is a load of salt (it is usually made of water,  salt, calcium chloride and vinegar (acetic acid), and occasionally contains flavorings like dill or “bread and butter”). Salt is a key ingredient in electrolytes--and, when electrolyte balance is deficient, muscle cramps can be a result. Cells in the body use electrolytes to maintain voltages across their cell membranes and to carry electrical impulses to other cells. In this case, these impulses are responsible for muscle contractions.  However the type of salt often used in most pickle juice is not the type you want to take in excess. In addition, avoiding muscle cramps and maintaining a healthy electrolyte (is a) balance is not just dependent on salt alone but also calcium, magnesium, potassium, chloride, and bicarbonate. Adding a few tablespoons of pickle juice to a pre or post workout tonic isn't horrible (though doesn't sound too delicious) but there are much better ways to get the proper salts for an electrolyte balance. I loved and completely agree with the research posted below so I copy and pasted it from Health911. It talks about cramps in general and offers some natural remedies (including a small does of pickle juice). 

Check out this article by the New York Times—maybe it’s the vinegar in pickle juice? Remember my love for apple cider vinegar? I use it before and after workouts!

Muscle Cramps

Causes 

A mineral deficiency of calcium and/or magnesium is probably the most frequent cause of night 

leg cramping.

Cramps are often caused by a lack of potassium, resulting in an electrytic imbalance. Strenuous exercise with sweating and diarrhea or other bowel disease may cause loss of potassium and other important minerals. It is very important to replace them with supplements. Some people get leg cramps at night for no apparent reason. This is called restless legs syndrome.

Another cause may be a deficiency in hesperidin, one of the bioflavonoids (sometimes called vitamin P), naturally occurring nutrients usually found in association with vitamin C. These bioflavonoids, including Hesperidin, Citrin, Rutin, Flavones, Flavonals, Calechin and Quercetin, were found to be essential in correcting the night leg cramps.

Wine induces stomach cramps in some people. To ease the cramps or perhaps eliminate them altogether, take some olive oil before imbibing. Try some oil on bread, or on a salad.

Milk and other dairy products can cause abdominal cramping, bloating, gas and discomfort in some women. If you are eating dairy products to get calcium, try switching to yogurt, lentils, broccoli, cabbage, tofu, collard and other greens, turnips, rhubarb and almonds.

Gastroenteritis, caused by a virus that has entered the digestive tract or contaminated food or water, causes inflammation, cramping, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Severe cases can lead to dehydration, so be sure to drink fluids and balance your electrolytes (take Pedialyte for young children and the elderly, and sports drinks for everybody else.)

Diarrhea caused by intestinal parasites is the third leading cause of illness. If you have a number of the following symptoms: gas, diarrhea, chronic constipation, bloating, fatigue, skin rashes, nail biting, mood swings, insomnia, dry skin, brittle hair, hair loss, weight gain, bad breath, and muscle cramping, you should be tested for parasites.

Tips

To stop leg/foot cramping, firmly press in on the upper lip. This is the meridian which is
connected to the legs and feet.
Take a hot shower before going to bed, letting the water run down the part of your leg that
gets cramps. Or, if you get cramps in the night, take a shower then. Get the water as hot as
you can stand it, as this will help relax the muscles.
If you are in bed when you get a leg cramp, stretch your leg straight out and bend the toes
back toward your head. Hold in this position for 30 seconds, relax, and repeat until the
cramp is gone.This will stretch out your calf muscle. You may also do this standing up - push
your heel onto the floor and bend your toes upward. This forces the calf muscle to lengthen.
If you get leg cramps frequently at night, start a stretching regimen before bed. Try
pressing your toes against a wall to stretch out the calf muscles; hold for 30 seconds, relax,
repeat several times.

Cramping often comes while you are exercising. follow these tips: 
Keep hydrated. As you sweat, you lose important electrolytes, which are needed to prevent
cramps.
Warm up for 10-15 minutes before exercising. This will stretch out the muscles you will be
using. If you exercise and get cramps after eating, you have probably begun your exercise
too soon after eating. As you digest, your body diverts blood from your muscles and
cramping can result. Take magnesium, potassium and calcium supplements daily, especially
before exercising.

Remedies Folk

Apple cider vinegar Drink a mixture of two teaspoons of vinegar and one teaspoon of honey in a glass of warm water. Apple cider vinegar is high in potassium.

Aspirin (or ibuprofen) taken at the earliest signs of menstrual cramps will help relieve them. Aspirin helps stop the production of prostaglandins, part of the process that causes cramps.

Calcium A calcium deficiency causes muscle cramps or involuntary movement of muscles. If you are prone to leg cramps at night, take a calcium supplement (calcium lactate is preferred), a warm cup of milk, or chew on some Tums an hour before going to bed. However, we do not recommend taking Tums on a regular basis due to its interference with your normal digestive process. We suggest that if you get frequent leg cramps you take a calcium supplement daily. Taking magnesium with the calcium will aid in the absorption of the calcium and prevent calcification of various organs and soft tissues. 200-300 mg of calcium before bedtime is recommended.

Chamomile tea A study showed that drinking five cups of this tea each day for two weeks reduced the pain of menstrual cramps. The tea increased the level of glycine in the urine. Glycine is an amino acid that helps relieve muscle spasms and relax the uterus.

CoQ10 may aid in relieving muscle cramps.

Magnesium will help the smooth muscles that surround your arteries to relax, and your body uses it to process calcium. Try taking 400 mg of magnesium before bed. A calcium/magnesium supplement, taken one hour before bedtime, is recommended.

Mustard For years coaches have given mustard to their athletes with leg cramps. Cramps are sometimes caused by a deficiency in acetylcholine, the neurotransmitter that stimulates your muscles to work. Mustard has acetic acid, which helps the body make more acetylcholine. Take a spoonful or two of mustard.

Pickle juice As with mustard coaches have given pickle juice to their athletes with leg cramps. Cramps are sometimes caused by a deficiency in acetylcholine, the neurotransmitter that stimulates your muscles to work. Pickle juice has acetic acid, which helps the body make more acetylcholine. Take a few ounces of pickle juice.

Quinine/tonic water Drinking four to eight ounces of tonic water (make sure it has quinine in it!) an hour before going to bed is a very effective remedy for most people. If it is too tart for you, add some lemon for flavoring. You should notice a difference within a few days, otherwise discontinue. OTC quinine was banned by the FDA because of health risks, but there is enough quinine in tonic water to help most people. See the Hyland's homeopathic remedy below for another similar option.