Ingrid, 75 years old
Has cramps and wants to go on vacation

Ingrid came to my pharmacy the day before her vacation.

Ingrid: Wolfgang, can’t you help me? I have terrible cramps, which is why I have been to the doctor many times.

Wolfgang: If you have cramps, you can take magnesium.

Ingrid: The doctor already told me that. I already take it, but it doesn’t help!

Wolfgang: What medication are you taking? Perhaps the cramps are a side effect of your medication.

Ingrid: I take simvastatin, blood pressure tablets….

Wolfgang: 40% of people who take the cholesterol-lowering drug simvastatin develop muscle weakness, muscle cramps or muscle pain. Take coenzyme Q10. Then you won’t get any more cramp.

She was about to leave when she noticed that she was sweating profusely again, even though she had only walked 300 meters.

Wolfgang: One liter of sweat contains up to 2000 mg sodium, 300 mg potassium, 30 mg magnesium, 30 mg calcium, 1 mg zinc, 0.9 mg copper, 0.7 mg iron, 0.05 mg iodine.
Do you actually salt your food?

Ingrid: Salt is unhealthy, especially if you have high blood pressure. I take as little as possible.

Wolfgang: I am convinced that your cramps are caused by a lack of salt. Coenzyme Q10 is not. Give it to me again and take 3 times 2 g of table salt.

She called me the next day. She said it was the first time in a long time that she no longer had cramps. After her vacation, she immediately came to the pharmacy and told me, beaming with joy, that she no longer had any cramps and now takes the salt every day.