Folic acid describes the synthetic form of folate -- an essential vitamin also known as vitamin B9. The body requires folate for the production of the building blocks of cells, known as deoxyribose nucleic acid -- DNA and ribose nucleic acid -- RNA. Folate also aides in the production of normal red blood cells to prevent anemia. A folic acid deficiency, a condition especially dangerous for pregnant women, can cause a variety of symptoms and contribute to symptoms of restless leg syndrome -- a neurologic movement disorder.
Secondary Restless Leg Syndrome
Restless leg syndrome may be primary, meaning it occurs in the absence of any other condition, or secondary, meaning it occurs as a result of another condition. Secondary restless leg syndrome can occur as a result of kidney conditions, neuropathy -- damage to the nerves, or nutritional deficiencies. Nutritional deficiencies known to contribute to restless leg syndrome include iron deficiency, magnesium deficiency and folic acid deficiency, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Symptoms
Patients with restless leg syndrome experience uncomfortable sensations in the legs they often describe as pulling, tugging, crawling, tingling cramping, itchy, burning, gnawing or painful. The presence of these sensations causes an irresistible urge to move the legs that often becomes worse at night. Although patients often overlook the symptoms of restless legs as nervousness, stress or muscle cramps, it is an actual condition that can be treated.
Folic Acid Deficiency Symptoms
Because the body requires folic acid for new cell production, a folic acid deficiency causes great risk to a pregnant woman and her developing fetus. A folic acid deficiency can cause neural tube defects that result in deformities in the spine and brain. In children, a deficiency may cause a slow overall growth rate. For adults, a folic acid deficiency can cause a loss of appetite, diarrhea, weight loss, weakness, headache, heart palpitations and irritability. It can also result in anemia -- a decrease in the number of healthy red blood cells, which interferes with oxygen transport through the body. This can contribute to or worsen the symptoms of restless leg syndrome.
Treatment
In order to treat restless leg syndrome, doctors must treat the underlying condition. Patients with a folic acid deficiency can take a dietary supplement or increase their intake of foods rich in folate. The National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements indicates that adults should consume at least 400 micrograms per day of folate, while pregnant females should consume 600 micrograms per day.
Dietary Folate
Although researchers continue to study whether a folic acid deficiency actually causes restless leg syndrome, according to MedLine Plus, increasing folate, or folic acid, consumption does help relieve symptoms. Because the body readily absorbs dietary folate, eating foods high in folate helps remedy a deficiency. Foods high in folate include leafy green vegetables, such as spinach and turnip greens, citrus fruits and juices and dried beans and peas, such as cowpeas and great northern beans.
