Restless leg syndrome, a disorder characterized by uncomfortable sensations that cause an urge to move the legs to gain relief, affects 5 to 15 percent of Americans, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Sensations tend to be worse or more noticeable when the person is inactive such as in the evening. The condition can lead to sleep disturbance and subsequent difficulty carrying out daily activities. A variety of nutrients may offer benefits for restless leg syndrome. Consult your doctor before using nutritional supplements for restless leg syndrome.
Dopamine
Iron may prove to be an effective treatment for restless leg syndrome by increasing dopamine levels, according to a study published in June 2007 in "Alternative Medicine Review." A correlation between restless leg syndrome symptoms and low dopamine levels implies a potential role for iron, an essential nutrient in the production of dopamine, as an effective therapy. The researchers note that patients with restless leg syndrome tend to have low dopamine levels, respond well to iron supplementation, and that folic acid may also prove effective at reducing symptoms of restless leg syndrome.
Iron
A study, published in the November 2010 issue of the "Clinical Nursing Research" journal, on iron for restless leg syndrome found that iron supplementation decreased leg movement and sensory symptoms and also improved sleep and reduced depression and fatigue in patient participants. Among the volunteers, all with restless leg syndrome, 32 percent had low iron levels. Those with higher iron levels tended to be exhibit less sleepiness as a symptom. The researchers concluded that iron supplementation improved the patients' symptom picture and overall quality of life.
Magnesium
Magnesium improved restless leg syndrome in a pregnant patient, according to a report published in the April 2006 issuer of the "Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine." Doctors gave the patient, who had a 13-year history of restless leg syndrome and was put on bed rest at 26 weeks, intravenous infusions of magnesium sulfate. The patient's symptoms completely resolved from the first day of treatment. The authors note that previous studies of magnesium sulfate for restless leg syndrome have not included pregnant women, concluding that this therapy may be helpful in some cases.
Folate and Vitamin E
Melvyn R. Werbach, M.D., writing for the Townsend Letter, claims that folic acid supplementation may alleviate symptoms of restless leg syndrome and that the condition could signal early neurologic signs of a folate deficiency. Folate deficiency is the commonest vitamin deficiency and can be a function of genetics more than inadequate dietary intake, whereby these patients require higher doses of folate to function normally. Restless leg syndrome patients with folate deficiency always experience symptoms of sensory discomfort associated with their restless leg condition, according to Dr. Werbach. Vitamin E may also help reduce symptoms for some restless leg syndrome patients, though it can take several months to see results.
References
- "Alternative Medicine Review"; Restless legs syndrome: pathophysiology and the role of iron and folate. Patrick LR. 2007
- "Clinical Nursing Research"; The Relationship With Iron and Health Outcomes in Persons With Restless Legs Syndrome. Cuellar NG, et al.; 2010
- "Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine"; Intravenous magnesium sulfate may relieve restless legs syndrome in pregnancy. Bartell S, et al.; 2006
- TLDP.com; Restless Legs Syndrome
- National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute; What Is Restless Legs Syndrome?
