Restless leg syndrome, or RLS, is a neurologic movement disorder characterized by the irresistible urge to move the legs. Symptoms include unpleasant feeling in the calves and thighs often described as crawling, creeping, pulling, tingling or cramping sensations. Although heredity plays a role in primary restless leg syndrome, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians, secondary RLS occurs due to other conditions, such as an iron deficiency. Treating secondary RLS involves treating the underlying cause, which for an iron deficiency includes taking iron supplements and consuming iron-rich dietary sources.
Ferrous Iron
An average adult male should consume 8 mg or iron per day while an adult female should get at least 18 mg per day, according to the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. The World Health Organization reports iron deficiency as the most common nutritional disorder in the world. For those with symptoms of iron deficiency or with secondary conditions such as RLS caused by the deficiency, taking iron supplements under the supervision of a doctor can help relieve symptoms. Iron supplements available as ferrous iron salts provide the highest level of iron absorption. Available ferrous iron salt supplements include ferrous fumarate, ferrous sulfate and ferrous gluconate.
Ferric Iron
Although similar to ferrous iron, ferric iron describes a different oxidative state of iron. Iron, an element, contains positively charged particles known as protons and negatively charged particles known as electrons. When an iron atom loses some of its electrons, it becomes an ion. Ferrous iron describes an ion that has lost two electrons giving it a positive charge of two while ferric iron has lost three electrons. Although most iron supplements contain ferrous iron, some may contain ferric iron.
Heme Iron
Heme iron refers to iron derived from hemoglobin -- a protein found in red blood cells. Since the human body readily absorbs heme iron, consuming dietary sources of heme iron can help alleviate an iron deficiency. Patients with RLS due to iron deficiency may experience relief from their symptoms when they increase the amount of heme iron in their diet. Since heme iron can only be found in animal products this means increasing the amount of iron-rich animal products such as red meats, fish and poultry.
Non-heme Iron
Many other foods sources either contain iron or are fortified with iron. Although the body cannot absorb the iron found in plant products and fortified foods, known as non-heme iron, as readily, eating iron rich foods supplements iron intake and can fight a deficiency. Manufacturers add non-heme iron to breakfast cereals and oatmeal to supplement iron intake. Many types of beans, including soy beans and lentils, as well as vegetables such as spinach contain significant amounts of iron. Even though the human body only absorbs about 10 to 15 percent of the iron in dietary sources, according to the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements, consuming dietary sources of iron can help relieve symptoms of iron deficiency and related RLS.
References
- American Academy of Family Physicians: Restless Leg Syndrome Detection and Management in Primary Care
- World Health Organization: Iron-Deficiency Anemia
- MayoClinic.com: Restless Leg Syndrome
- National Heart Lung and Blood Institute: Iron Deficiency Anemia
- National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements: Iron
