Assessment: symptomatic treatment for muscle cramps (an evidence-based review): report of the Therapeutics and Technology Assessment Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology.

摘要

I read with interest the recent evidence-based review by Katzberg et al. regarding the treatment of muscle cramps. I was surprised to read that the dietary supplements primrose oil (Efamol; Efamol Ltd, UK) and brewer's yeast (EpiCor; Embria Health Sciences, Ankeny, IA) were not mentioned.Primrose oil is a rich source of omega-6 fatty acids used for certain neurologic conditions, including chronic fatigue syndrome (myalgic encephalomyelitis), on the biochemical basis that it ultimately promotes production of membrane-stabilizing fatty acids (li-pophilic pentacyclic triterpenes) with antioxidant and free-radical scavenging properties.