Episode #91: Cramping – Everything You Need to Know

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In this April 21st free audio episode:cramping, insulin, exercising your calves, apple cider vinegar for fat loss, SPARK energy drink, analyzing supplement quality, bike tire choices, carb loading, staying fit through injuries, and more on mini-fasts - (sorry about some of the audio issues on this one - in the process of switching mics!)

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Featured Topic: Cramping

Dr. Pascal has been treating and creating miracles with high school, college and world-class athletes for more than 17 years. His experience not only includes work with Olympic track and field stars but has spanned other sports and athletic disciplines as well. From 1990 to 1991, he worked with the Women's Pro Beach Volleyball tour, with gymnasts at the World Gymnastic Championships in 1991 and with golfers from 1994 to 1998 on the PGA Nike Golf tour.

Dr. Pascal grew up in Los Angeles, where he was the City Cross-Country Champion, ran the fastest mile at the California State Track & Field Championships, and was awarded the coveted moniker of “Athlete of the Year.” He ran cross-country and track for UCLA, where he set the NCAA Intramural National Record for 800 meters, and was a member of the NCAA National Championship Track & Field Dual Meet Team.

He was sponsored by Nike while competing for the Santa Monica Track Club (ranked as the #1 track team in the world at the time), and for the U.S. Team on the World Tour (Zurich, Berlin, Helsinki, Stockholm, Oslo). He has run the metric equivalent of a 3:57 mile, and was the 1,500-meter Champion at the 1983 World Games in Helsinki, Finland.

During our interview, Dr. Pascal and I discuss the following:

What are the cause factors for cramps? Are certain people or body types more prone to cramping? Are there foods that raise/lower the risk of cramping? What about pickle juice as a preventive measure for cramping? Is sodium chloride the only salt involved, or does it need anything else to work properly? Are all cramps created equal, or can there be cramps related to dehydration vs. cramps related to muscular fatigue? What are techniques to quickly rid the body of cramps that occur during competition? Could fluid or electrolyte transport to the muscle actually not work properly in some people? Can you actually massage a cramp out on the go, or should you just stop? Can eating a carbohydrate or consuming gels help?

Can licking your own skin or sucking on a sweat band recycle some minerals?

During the interview, Dr Pascal also talks about the "Natural Vitality" minerals and products that he uses with his athletes. Click here to learn more about them.

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