> > Hmmmm... Back when I first started weight lifting and following a high
> > protein diet, I started having issues with nocturnal quadricep cramping.
> > Very painful. Sometimes when you do extra protein, you get an increased
> > calcium loss thru the kidneys. The milk gave you that extra calcium.

> > When mom and I used to donate platelets at the blood bank, they used a
> > calcium chelator in the IV line to keep the blood running thru the
> > machine from clotting. They remove your blood, separate out the
> > platelets, then return your blood to you thru the lines.

> > The warned you that if your lips or arms started tingling to tell them.
> > It meant too much calcium was being tied up. Their "cure" was to stuff a
> > handful of tums or rolaids into your mouth to bring the blood levels
> > back up quickly.

> > Calcium taken by itself is not really used as well as a balanced
> > multi-mineral that balances Calcium, Magnesium and Phosphorous according
> > to my old nutrition guru. ;-)  He was right.

> > My quad cramping did not go away when I took just calcium.  It went away
> > when I started taking a balanced multi-mineral ("NOW" brand full
> > spectrum minerals).

> > While I'm not entirely sure that is your problem, (far be it to anyone
> > to listen to or give medical advice on usenet <g>), you may consider
> > taking such a supplement with your shake and see if the problem goes
> > away...

> I used to take coral calcium as a thermogenic, but stopped a couple of
> months ago because I wasn't really noticing a difference. At first I
> did, but my body adjusted pretty quickly. I have been taking a
> multivitamin for awhile, but I haven't thought to check on the level
> of calcium in it.

> Now that you mention it, though, I remember many years ago when I
> first started lifting, I had problems with my right elbow just locking
> up in the middle of a lift. After much guesswork, it was finally
> attributed to calcium deposits. So it does seem logical that my body
> doesn't really work with calcium the way that it should, so I think
> I'll try adjusting the multivitamin and see what happens.

> Thanks for the tip! I'll let you know how it goes after a couple of
> weeks.