People with restless legs syndrome (RLS) often feel an
intense urge to move their legs, particularly when sitting still or
trying to fall asleep. Unlike people with a different condition called
night-time leg cramps the people with restless legs syndrome don't
experience pain. Instead, they may describe a strange "creepy
crawly" feeling inside their legs. Walking normally relieves the
symptoms, but as soon as people quit moving, the need to move occurs.
RLS maybe genetic as it does tend to run in families, often emerging
or worsening a a person gets older. People with RLS frequently have
another condition as well, called periodic leg movements in sleep (PLMS).
People with PLMS kick their legs frequently during the night,
interrupting their own sleep and anyone sleeping with them. Since RLS
is occasionally linked to other serious diseases, it's advisable to
see a doctor if you have its symptoms. Conventional medical treatment
for RLS usually involves taking a levodopa and carbidopa combination,
which are better known as a treatment for Parkinson's disease.
Preliminary evidence suggests that symptoms of RLS may be relieved by
supplementation with one of several minerals or vitamins, including
magnesium, folate, iron and vitamin E. Folate - Based on numerous case reports of
improvement, folate is also sometimes recommended for RLS.
Symptoms decreased in one study of 45 patients given 5 to 30
mg of folate daily. Keep in mind that such high doses of
folate should be administered only under medical supervision.
Folate may be of particular benefit to pregnant women with RLS
who are deficient in this vitamin.
Iron - Several studies appear to have linked
low levels of iron in the blood to RLS. In one study, medical
records of 27 people with RLS, those with the most severe
symptoms had lower than average levels of serum ferritin,
which is one measure of iron deficiency. In another study in
which 18 elderly people with RLS were compared with 18 elderly
people without the condition, those with RLS also had reduced
levels of serum ferritin. When 15 of these people were given
iron, all but one experienced a reduction in symptoms. Those
with the lowest initial ferntin levels improved the most. One
theory indicates that mild iron deficiency may cause RLS by
decreasing the amount of the dopamine neurotransmitter. This
theory has some support in findings that conventional drugs
that increase dopamine activity (such as the Parkinson's
medication mentioned above) appear to also aid people with
Restless Legs Syndrome."
Nutrient /
Supplement |
Importance
( 1 - 10 ) |
Helpful notes |
Multi-vitamin
&
Mineral supplement |
10 |
a natural good
multi-vitamin and mineral supplement will contain these and other items listed:
vitamin E, B vitamins, calcium,
magnesium, and folic acid or folate. A daily supplement provides nutrients required
for good general health and well being. (See NutraPack link
below) |
B Vitamins |
10 |
B
vitamins are very important for the proper function of your brain
and nervous system.
Supplements with natural vitamin B can help with
anxiety problems and disorders. Vitamin B12 appears especially
important. |
Folic
acid |
10 |
also
know as folate and maybe effective when used with magnesium
and vitamin E. |
Calcium |
8 |
is a natural tranquilizer is best used
with magnesium |
Magnesium |
10 |
Preliminary studies
suggest that supplemental magnesium may be helpful, even when
magnesium levels are normal. An open study of 10 people with
insomnia related to RLS or periodic leg movements in sleep
found that their sleep improved significantly when they took
magnesium nightly for 4 to 6 weeks. |
vitamin
E |
9 |
helps with body
healing and a few studies where people were given around 800IU
of vitamin E then had almost no symptoms of restless legs
syndrome. |
vitamin
C |
8 |
people with RLS may
often be deficient in this important vitamin |
Other Changes To Make
-
drink 6-8 glasses of steam distilled or
filtered water a day
-
eat 50% raw fruits and vegetables (organic is best)
-
nuts, seeds, and whole grains are good
-
juice is good (make your
own with a juice machine)
-
do not worry as much about calories as eating the right foods
-
carrot and celery sticks are good to use as a snack
-
a colon cleansing can be very helpful - (do several times each year)
-
do not drink coffee, alcohol, soda pop, other junk food drinks
-
do not eat processed foods white sugar, white flour, etc...
-
use stress relief like going for walks in the park
(or the 10/90 rule - see
Stress)
-
brown rice is good to eat
-
avoid red meat and animal fats
-
reduce dairy products cheese, milk, and others
-
fast a few days a month
-
get at least 8 hours of sleep
-
exercise light to moderate amounts
-
avoid artificial sweeteners like Aspartame and NutraSweet
-
do not smoke and avoid second hand smoke
-
do not skip meals - just eat better and not as much at each meal
-
do not chew gum - it can cause you to feel hungry
-
do not watch too much TV try reading a book or something else
|