Can These Other Vitamins and Melatonin Help With Restless Legs Syndrome?
Check out these facts before using a supplement for restless legs syndrome, according to specialists.
If you have restless legs syndrome, you are aware of how challenging it may be to fall and stay asleep. Restless legs, often referred to as Willis-Ekbom disease, is a common neurological sleep and movement disorder that, according to the Mayo Clinic, produces an involuntary need to kick, rub, or crawl across the lower part of the body.
Considering supplements and vitamins for restless legs syndrome? It’s crucial to seek professional advice. Specialists in sleep medicine for restless legs syndrome emphasize the need for caution when using over-the-counter remedies.
Iron support is vital, whereas support for other materials is weak. Care sleep clinic devoted to managing complex sleep conditions, including restless legs syndrome, advises consumers to be wary of products claiming they help with the condition when nothing has been proven to support them. According to Brian Koo, MD, a neurologist and the director of the Yale Medicine Program for Restless Legs Syndrome in New Haven, Connecticut, “they can be useful in mild restless legs syndrome cases, but when you’re dealing with moderate or severe restless legs, they’re going to be less helpful.”
What the Research Says about These Five Vitamins for Seizures
Here are some things to know about vitamins that may help with restless legs syndrome (RLS) and when to consider taking a supplement.
1. Iron
Iron: The Key Supplement for Restless Legs Syndrome. Iron is currently the most effective supplement for managing the symptoms of restless legs syndrome.
A study suggests that a brain iron shortage may significantly contribute to RLS. According to Dr. Berkowski, anemia, kidney illness, inflammatory diseases, pregnancy, and other conditions with low iron levels are frequently linked to restless legs syndrome.
In 2020, a study that examined 196 patients with RLS and was published in Frontiers in Neurology discovered that 42% of the participants had iron insufficiency and that iron-deficient individuals typically had lower sleep quality. In addition, a 2019 analysis discovered that when iron supplements were used instead of a placebo, the intensity of RLS symptoms decreased.
According to Dr. Koo, this is the reason why testing iron levels is recommended in therapy guidelines for patients with restless legs syndrome. He also notes that after a patient is diagnosed, he usually follows up with testing iron levels.
However, Berkowski adds he wouldn’t suggest that patients take iron without first consulting a physician. Treatment guidelines for people who meet the requirements recommend taking 100–200 mg of vitamin C and 65 mg of iron daily.
Berkowski contends that obtaining iron naturally through food is preferable. The best kind is red meat. “Red meats are the best for the body to absorb iron, in addition to having the highest iron content.”
The Harvard School of Public Health lists leafy greens, egg yolks, dried fruit, iron-fortified cereals and grains, turkey, beans, and lentils as additional foods high in iron.
RELATED: The Best Vitamin C-Rich Foods
2. E and C vitamins
According to Preeti Devnani, MD, a fellow member of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and
Staff physician at the Cleveland Clinic Sleep Disorders Center, “Vitamin C enhances the absorption of iron and helps to reduce the effects of inhibitors of iron absorption.
According to treatment guidelines, patients suffering from renal failure who have restless legs syndrome benefit from taking vitamins C and E combined. (Patients with kidney illness have restless legs syndrome two to three times more frequently than the general population.) A study found that vitamin C and E together can safely and effectively lessen the intensity of RLS symptoms in dialysis patients.
Harvard Medical School psychiatry professor and head of the sleep disorders clinical research program at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, John Wink Elman, MD, PhD, says, “Vitamins were helpful for symptoms in patients. Wink Elman coauthored the texts.
3. Magnesium
According to the Cleveland Clinic, magnesium is a necessary mineral that is important for nerve and muscle function. Research also suggests that magnesium assists in maintaining a regular sleep cycle. According to Wink Elman, however, there is insufficient recent evidence to support the idea that magnesium supplements provide further advantages for those with restless legs syndrome (a finding included in treatment guidelines he helped create).
Magnesium may help treat certain kinds of leg cramps, but not always restless legs syndrome, according to Dr. Devnani’s anecdotal data. Regarding the evidence to date, she states,
“I feel like I’m in
4. Sleep melatonin
Melatonin is a widely used over-the-counter sleep aid that individuals use to help with jet lag, insomnia, sleep disorders, and falling and staying asleep. In addition, it’s a hormone that our bodies naturally produce in reaction to darkness, signaling our bodies to go to sleep. Take the supplement for around half an hour before going to bed to promote sleep and make you feel sleepier.
Although melatonin is a popular sleep aid in the United States, those suffering from restless legs syndrome should avoid using it. Studies show that melatonin may induce people with restless legs syndrome to move their legs more. Eight patients with severe restless legs syndrome participated in a tiny 2010 trial and those who took 3 mg of melatonin in
5. Calcium
According to preliminary research, supplementation may improve sleep for those with vitamin D deficiency and restless legs syndrome. However, due to a lack of data, doctors have advised waiting to make more widespread recommendations to patients.
A small 2022 study published in Frontiers in Endocrinology discovered a connection between vitamin D insufficiency and less restful sleep in individuals with RLS.
Another 2023 study published in Tremor and Other Hyperkinetic Movements made a similar finding: it suggested that taking vitamin D supplements could be beneficial for people with restless legs syndrome who may be vitamin D deficient.
However, according to Berkowski, more data is needed for sleep experts to suggest vitamin D pills as a treatment.
The Top 10 Therapies for Leg Dysfunction
Depending on the underlying cause, treatments for restless leg syndrome may involve iron supplements, prescription drugs,
Willis-Ekbom illness, another name for restless legs syndrome (RLS), is a disorder that produces painful sensations, usually in the legs. These sensations, described as tingling, crawling, or creeping feelings, cause an intense impulse to move the afflicted limb.
RLS symptoms usually happen at night and occur when the patient is sitting, resting, or sleeping. RLS brings. RLS can lead to significant sleep issues as a result of these movements. Primary RLS, for which there is no recognized etiology, affects some persons. Others suffer from secondary RLS, which is usually linked to nerve issues, chronic kidney failure, pregnancy, iron shortage, or nerve disorders.
The majority of RLS sufferers have modest symptoms. However, if your symptoms range from mild to severe, RLS may significantly affect your daily life. It may keep you from getting adequate sleep thinking during the day, at work, and in social situations.
RLS can cause anxiety and sadness as a result of these issues. Furthermore, the illness may worsen the longer you have it. It has the potential to extend to additional body parts, including the arms (1Reliable Source). Considering the impact RLS may have on your
1. Eliminating possible causes
determining the cause of RLS should be your first step in treating it. While some variables are mostly beyond your control, such as heredity or pregnancy, you can address other potential causes of RLS. These variables may include routine behaviors, prescription drugs you take, underlying medical issues, or other stressors.
Routines
Caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco usage can make RL’s symptoms worse. Reducing your use of these substances may help lessen the symptoms of RLS.
Drugs
Some drugs may aggravate or exacerbate RLS symptoms. For example, consider the following:
Older antihistamines like diphenhydramine (Benadryl), antiemetic medications like metoclopramide (Reglan) or prochlorperazine (Comoro), and antipsychotic medications like olanzapine (Zyprexa) or haloperidol (Haldol)
Tricyclic antidepressants like amitriptyline (Elavil) or amoxapine (Asendin), tramadol (Ultram), levothyroxine (Levoxyl), and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), or citalopram (Lexapro)
Ensure that your doctor is aware of all medications you use, including over-the-counter and prescription ones. Consult your physician about any potential aggravating factors for your RLS, mainly if you take any of the previously mentioned medications.
Ailments
it has been discovered that RLS is connected to specific medical disorders. RLS has been associated with diabetic nerve injury and end-stage renal disease (ESRD). There is a strong correlation between RLS and iron-deficient anemia. If you have any of these illnesses, you should talk to your doctor about how your medical history may affect your RLS.
Additional catalysts
some complain that wearing
tight clothing or consuming large amounts of sweets exacerbates their RLS symptoms. Even if the evidence supporting these links isn’t solid, you should experiment to discover what influences your symptoms.
LOWER LINE
The initial course of RLS treatment
2. Restful sleeping practices
Good sleep habits are important for everyone, but they may be especially important for those who struggle to fall asleep, such as those with RLS.
Getting a better night’s sleep might not completely cure your RLS symptoms, but it might help you make up for the sleep loss it causes. Try the following suggestions to achieve the most restful and rejuvenating sleep possible. Every day, I go to bed and wake up simultaneously.
Maintain a calm, dark, and cold sleeping space.
Minimize distractions in your bedroom, such as the phone and TV.
Before bed, give yourself two to three hours without using electronics. These devices’ blue light can disrupt your circadian cycle, which is responsible for maintaining it.
3. Supplements with vitamins and iron
are one of the primary reasons for RLS, which is believed to be iron deficiency. Iron supplementations have been found in several studies to help reduce RLS symptoms.
If you believe you may have an iron deficiency, speak with your doctor.
If your test results indicate that you have an iron deficit, your doctor could suggest oral iron supplements, which you can get at your neighborhood drugstore. Intravenous (IV) iron may be required in some circumstances.
Moreover, RLS and vitamin D deficiency may be related. Vitamin D insufficiency and RLS symptoms were observed to be lessened in individuals.
Additionally, vitamin C and E supplementation may help reduce the symptoms of RLS in patients receiving hemodialysis.
LOWER LINE
Some RLS patients may benefit from iron or vitamins D, C, or E supplements. If you think taking supplements may be a good option, your doctor can advise you.
4. Workout
if you have RLS, exercise can help you feel better. The National Institutes of Health states that moderate RLS symptoms may be alleviated by moderate activity.
Furthermore, a 2006 study involving 23 RLS patients discovered that performing three times weekly for 12 weeks of aerobic activity and lower body resistance training significantly reduced RLS symptoms.
Exercise has also been shown to be highly beneficial for RLS in other studies, particularly in patients with ESRD. Exercise seems like a perfect fit for those with RLS, especially in light of this research and others that demonstrate how activity can enhance sleep.
The Restless Legs Foundation suggests exercising in moderation. Avoid exercising until you get aches and pains because this could
5. Stretching and yoga
Stretching and yoga have been demonstrated to help those with RLS, just like other forms of exercise.
In an eight-week 2013 study, ten women reported that yoga lessened their symptoms of RLS. Additionally, it assisted in elevating their mood and lowering their stress levels, which may have improved their sleep. Additionally, a 2012 study involving 20 women with RLS revealed that yoga enhanced their sleep. According to another survey, Stretching exercises significantly reduced hemodialysis patients’ RLS symptoms.
Researchers are still determining why yoga and stretching are effective, so more studies are helpful. However, considering these outcomes, you should include some calf and upper.
6. Massage
Massage your leg muscles to relieve RLS symptoms. Several medical institutions, such as recommend it as an at-home treatment.
While more data are needed to support massage as a treatment for RLS, a 2007 case study provided evidence of its advantages.
A 35-year-old lady had twice-weekly, 45-minute leg massages for three weeks, and her RLS symptoms improved. She used a variety of massage techniques, such as direct pressure on the muscles in her legs and Swedish massage.
After two massage sessions, her RLS symptoms subsided, and they didn’t resurface for another two weeks. The study’s author proposed that the more excellent release.
7. Prescription drugs
the mainstay of treatment for moderate-to-severe RLS is medication. Usually, the first medications prescribed are dopaminergic ones. They work well to reduce the symptoms of RLS, but they can also have adverse side effects and other issues. While they don’t often result in the same problems, other medications can also help reduce RLS symptoms. Dopamine-producing medications
Drugs classified as dopaminergic stimulate your brain’s release of dopamine. One neurotransmitter that facilitates regular bodily motions is dopamine.
Since RLS is linked to issues with the body’s dopamine production, dopaminergic medications probably aid in the relief of symptoms. Three dopaminergic drugs for the treatment of moderate to severe primary RLS:
Take Gabapentin
The FDA has approved gabapentin (Horizon) as a fourth medication to treat RLS. This drug is used to treat seizures.
Although the exact mechanism by which gabapentin reduces RLS symptoms is unknown, research indicates that it does so successfully. In one trial, gabapentin or a placebo was administered for six weeks to 24 individuals with RLS. While individuals receiving a placebo experienced no change in leg movements from RLS, gabapentin treatment resulted in better sleep. Another study contrasted the usage of ropinirole, one of the medications the FDA has approved to treat RLS, with gabapentin. After taking each medication for four weeks, eight patients with RLS showed comparable levels
8. Restiffic foot wrap
there’s evidence that using a foot bandage helps reduce RLS symptoms.
The foot wrap, also known as restiffic, applies pressure to specific locations on the bottom of the foot. Your brain receives information from the pressure, and in response, it instructs the RLS-affected muscles to relax, lessening the symptoms of RLS.
A 2013 trial with thirty participants who used the foot wrap for eight weeks observed significant improvements in RLS symptoms and sleep quality.
The restiffic foot wrap costs approximately $200 and is only available with a prescription, according to the company’s website. Your insurance may or may not cover it.
LOWER LINE
a prescription and an upfront financial commitment are needed for the therapeutic foot wrap, but it could offer
9. Compression via pneumatic means
you might have experienced a “sleeve” that covers your leg and gently squeezes and releases your limb, which is used in this treatment. Its inflation and deflation cycles
A pneumatic compression device (PCD) is commonly employed in hospitals to enhance blood flow and avert thrombosis. Pneumatic compression has been demonstrated to help reduce RLS symptoms, which may also be related to improved circulation. Some studies consider low oxygen levels in the limbs to be a contributing factor in RLS. They believe that when a person lifts a limb, their muscles contract, which causes the body to increase circulation as a response to the issue. Regardless of the cause, various studies have demonstrated that pneumatic compression.
10. Relaxes vibration pad
Using a vibrating pad called the Relaxes pad might not eliminate your RLS symptoms, but it might improve your sleep quality.
When you’re asleep or at rest, you use the vibrating pad. After positioning the pad over the injured region—such as your leg—you adjust the vibration level to your preferred level. After 30 minutes of vibration, the pad turns off on its own. The pad’s “counter stimulation” theory is based on vibrations. In other words, they suppress the unpleasant RLS sensations, causing you to experience vibrations rather than your symptoms.
The Relaxes pad has not been proven to reduce RLS symptoms genuinely, and there isn’t much research on it either.
