Quinine water

[Lucky13085]

in earlier forums you have suggested carbonated beverages both cola and white soda are unhealthy.  Does this apply to quinine water?  My neurologist has suggested for cramping relief.  please advise

[allmymarbles]

It can adversely affect digestion in some people. I can't think of any other reason for its being harmful. Another help for cramping legs is vitamin B1. Whenever I get a leg cramp I go to the medicine cabinet and take out a 100 mg capsule. For a quick fix, I open it and dump the contents in my mouth.

[Lucky13085]

Dear gymdandee:

Thanks for your continued conversation.  I sent this to allmymarbles as she/he is also responding.  

I had a heart stent inserted in 2008 and began taking blood pressure pills and and quite a few other drugs.  During the winter of 2009 I began experiencing leg cramps while long distance bike riding.  When I commented on this to my cardiologist, nephrologist & endrocronologist, 2 of the 3 suggested quinine water.  My nephrologist also suggested magnesium supplements which I take regularly and I believe this is what has fixed my problem.  I am a diabetic and love diet quinine water but am afraid to use because I am reading in the MedHelp email updates that carbonation is not good for you.  I don't understand why.  Do you know why carbonation is bad?

I saw your comment on all carbonation but am trying to understand why it is so bad?

[Lucky13085]

Dear allmymarbles,

By the way, very interesting name you have!  I had a heart stent inserted in 2008 and began taking blood pressure pills and and quite a few other drugs.  During the winter of 2009 I began experiencing leg cramps while long distance bike riding.  When I commented on this to my cardiologist, nephrologist & endrocronologist, 2 of the 3 suggested quinine water.  My nephrologist also suggested magnesium supplements which I take regularly and I believe this is what has fixed my problem.  I am a diabetic and love diet quinine water but am afraid to use because I am reading in the MedHelp email updates that carbonation is not good for you.  I don't understand why.  Do you know why carbonation is bad?

[allmymarbles]

I am not sure I understand your question. Did your doctor suggest you take quinine water for cramping?

[gymdandee]

Carbonation of any liquid for consumption is not healthy!

[gymdandee]

The FDA banned quinine from use against leg cramps because sensitive people may develop a potentially deadly blood disorder in reaction to quinine.  this complication is rare, it is extremely serious. One person was hospitalized after drinking a 5-ounce glass of tonic water. They developed a terrible skin reaction and her blood platelets plummeted. She was told that in her case even a drop could be lethal.

[Lucky13085]

Thank you for the magnesium comments.  I take 500mg 2x daily.  My cramping has pretty much disappeared since I started this.  But, back to my question, is the carbonation in quinine water bad for your health?  If so, why?

[gymdandee]

Magnesium  is good for muscle cramps.
Why so useful? Maybe because most of us don’t get enough in the first place.  It’s safe and natural without the adverse consequences of the usual over-the-counter remedies. Try magnesium citrate (better absorbed than the oxide form) 400 - 800 mg a day. You can push it higher. It’s quite safe, but please make sure and discuss it with your doctor before starting it.  
                       Foods Highest in Magnesium
Bran (Rice, Wheat, and Oat).  Dried Herbs corriender, Chives, Spearmint,
Sage, Basil.
Sqauash, Pumpkin, and Watermelon Seeds. Dark Chocolate
Flax, Sesame Seeds, and Sesame Butter. Brazil Nuts ,
Sunflower Seeds,  Mixed nuts, Pine Nuts, Molasses ,

The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for calcium is 800 mg/day, whereas for magnesium it is 400 to 450 mg/day.  Only about one-third of magnesium is absorbed from dietary sources.  Therefore, a daily magnesium intake of 1200 mg/day has been recommended by some researchers (22).  The traditional ratio of approximately 2 parts calcium to 1 part magnesium needs to be upgraded to increase magnesium intake in view of the overwhelming beneficial role of magnesium.  The ideal ratio for most people's needs is an equal ratio of calcium and magnesium.

The absorption and metabolism of calcium and magnesium is one of mutual dependence, and therefore, the balance between these two minerals is especially important.  If calcium consumption is high, magnesium intake needs to be high also.