A 2014 study found that vitamin D supplements reduced RLS symptoms in people with RLS and vitamin D deficiency ( 9 ). And for people on hemodialysis, vitamins C and E supplements may help relieve RLS symptoms (4, 10 ). Supplementation with iron or vitamins D, C, or E can help certain people with RLS.
Dopamine. There's evidence to suggest restless legs syndrome is related to a problem with part of the brain called the basal ganglia. The basal ganglia uses a chemical (neurotransmitter) called dopamine to help control muscle activity and movement.
Conclusion: This study indicates that vitamin D supplementation improves the severity of RLS symptoms and advocates that vitamin D deficiency is conceivably associated with RLS.
Magnesium citrate may be the most effective type if you want to try a supplement. If you're magnesium deficient, there may be other benefits from increasing your intake of this nutrient. And other remedies are available for leg cramping that may help.
Dopamine is involved in controlling muscle movement and may be responsible for the involuntary leg movements associated with restless legs syndrome. In some cases, restless legs syndrome is caused by an underlying health condition, such as iron deficiency anaemia or kidney failure.
The most effective dose of magnesium for eliminating restless legs is between 400mg and 600mg per day. This is easily achieved with one to one and a half teaspoons daily of magnesium ultrapotent powder. This ultrapotent powder has several different types of magnesium for enhanced absorption.
Magnesium supplementation is often suggested for restless legs syndrome (RLS) or period limb movement disorder (PLMD) based on anecdotal evidence that it relieves symptoms and because it is also commonly recommended for leg cramps.
The top three foods to avoid are chocolate, sugary sodas, and fried foods. Additionally, you will also want to avoid any foods or beverages that contain caffeine, since this can stimulate your nerves and make your symptoms more severe. These include coffee, tea, energy drinks, and chocolate.
Drugs that target dopamine receptors are one of the most effective treatments for RLS. Dopamine agonists can be taken in pill form approximately two hours before bedtime or administered continuously through a patch. The FDA has currently approved three dopamine agonists for RLS: pramipexole, ropinirole, and rotigotine.
In most cases, the cause of RLS is unknown (called primary RLS). However, RLS has a genetic component and can be found in families where the onset of symptoms is before age 40. Specific gene variants have been associated with RLS. Evidence indicates that low levels of iron in the brain also may be responsible for RLS.
Boost your B vitamin intake
Another B vitamin, B12, has also been directly linked to RLS, according to Dr. Anderson. The recommended dietary allowance of vitamin B12 is 2.4 mcg. Ask your doctor if you might benefit from more.
One study found that magnesium can help with insomnia and sleep problems caused by RLS, and another that magnesium did indeed provide some relief for certain RLS patients. In some cases, magnesium deficiency is thought to cause RLS, and a deficiency of this key mineral can certainly aggravate RLS symptoms.
Without question, magnesium glycinate is the best form of magnesium for sleep. Magnesium glycinate is a combination of magnesium and the non-essential sleep-inducing amino acid, glycine.
Therefore, magnesium supplements can be taken at any time of the day, as long as you're able to take them consistently. For some, taking supplements first thing in the morning may be easiest, while others may find that taking them with dinner or just before bed works well for them.
There's no cure for RLS. But if you have the disorder, lifestyle changes and medication can help improve your quality of life. The goals of RLS treatment are to prevent or relieve symptoms, improve sleep, and correct underlying conditions or habits that trigger or worsen RLS symptoms.
Does Restless Legs Syndrome Ever Go Away by Itself? There are some cases of restless legs syndrome disappearing on its own. But this is rare. Instead, for most people symptoms get worse over time.
In conclusion, vitamin B12 deficiency was independently associated with RLS. This finding can provide the in vivo evidence of the role of vitamin B12 in the pathogenesis of RLS. Vitamin B12 deficiency is a preventable and treatable disease and should be considered to measure routinely in patients with RLS.
Dopamine agonists. Low-dose dopamine agonists are largely replacing levodopa as first-line treatment for restless legs syndrome because of ease of management and better efficacy.
The single most consistent finding and the strongest environmental risk factor associated with RLS is iron insufficiency. Professor Nordlander first recognized the association between iron deficiency and RLS, and reported that treatment of the iron deficiency markedly improved, if not eliminated, the RLS symptoms.
Since bananas are high in potassium, they can be a natural and effective way to reduce the discomfort associated with RLS.
Rotigotine (Neupro) and pramipexole (Mirapex) are approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of moderate to severe RLS .
If you are frequently feeling the irresistible urge to move your legs while you try to fall asleep, you may be experiencing restless legs syndrome (RLS), also known as Willis-Ekborn disease.