Pickle Juice and Yellow Mustard for Muscle Cramps

The heat wave has cranked up muscle cramps after workouts. Once again I used my proven instant cramp relief items (pickle juice and yellow mustard). They still work great and I recommend everyone who suffers from cramps to give it a try. 

Why does mustard and pickle juice work to instantly relieve cramps? Some say vinegar, electrolytes, or turmeric are the reason. 

Scientific research has shown that acetic acid may be the reason. Acetic acid is postulated to mitigate cramping by decreasing alpha motor neuron activity through oropharyngeal stimulation and inhibitory neurotransmitter production, while aiding in the role acetylcholine plays in muscle contraction and relaxation. 

Here is a link to a research study: 

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32459412/

Regardless of why it works, the point is that it does work. Give it a try.

Why Warmups are even more important as we get older

As we get older our joints and connective tissue become more vulnerable to injury before the muscles do. 

The joints and connective tissue require extra attention in order to facilitate the stress of lifting heavier weights. 

Warming up the joints with a set of light weights and higher repetitions will increase heat, blood flow, and synovial fluid. 

This will aid in preventing injury and facilitate the transition to moving heavier weights during your workout.