Supplements for Restless Legs Syndrome: Vitamins, Minerals and Herbs Can Relieve Agony of RLS

Restless legs syndrome is a fairly common ailment that affects 1-10% of the population. Even children can suffer from RLS. Other people often have difficulty understanding how annoying the constant need to move one's legs can be.

The culprit can be low levels of some neurotransmitters and sometimes circulation is to blame. There are many useful drug therapies, but some supplements have also been proven effective.

Dopamine and RLS

One of the best known causes of RLS is deficiency of the neurotransmitter dopamine. The most common drug therapy is Parkinson's disease medications that increase the levels of dopamine in the brain, such as levodopa (L-dopa) and ropinirole (Requip).

Dopamine levels can also be increased with the amino acid L-tyrosine. Tyrosine is a normal constituent of food, but it is also available as an over-the-counter supplement.

Another option is an amino acid called DL-phenylalanine. Not only does it increase brain levels of dopamine, but also those of endogenous opioids such as beta endorphin. Studies have found low levels of beta endorphin in certain areas of brain in RLS sufferers and opioids have been used as a treatment, though usually only for refractory RLS.

GABA and RLS

Gamma-aminobutyric acid is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter. A deficiency of GABA or receptors not responding to it properly has been suggested as a possible cause of RLS and benzodiazepines, a class of sedative drugs affecting the GABA receptors, are sometimes used as a treatment for refractory cases.

Several over-the-counter supplements can increase brain levels of GABA, such as the herb valerian and the amino acid taurine. GABA itself is also available as a supplement, but in many people it may not cross the blood-brain barrier effectively.

Vitamins and Minerals

Supplementation of folic acid (folate), one of the B complex vitamins, has been used to bring relief from restless legs and there is some evidence of its efficacy, at least in cases of deficiency. Because folic acid is very safe, there is no reason why everyone with RLS shouldn't try it.

Iron deficiency anemia has been implicated as a possible cause of RLS. One should have one's hemoglobin and preferably ferritin levels checked before considering iron supplementation, as excess iron is harmful. In studies many of those with low or low normal ferritin levels have benefited from iron supplements.

Magnesium is used in the treatment of muscle cramps and some sleep disorders, but for some reason it has been studied very little in restless legs syndrome. One very small study found it effective for reducing symptoms of RLS and a related condition known as periodic limb movements disorder (PLMD). It may be especially useful in RLS in pregnancy.

Other possibly helpful vitamins and minerals include inositol (often counted among the B complex vitamins), niacin (vitamin B3), pyridoxine (vitamin B6), vitamin B12, calcium and potassium, but they have not been studied in this use.

RLS and Circulation

In some small studies hydroxyethylrutosides, derivatives of rutin (a natural flavonoid found in many foods) have brought relief for RLS caused by chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), a condition reducing blood circulation to the legs. They may be difficult to source, but rutin is commonly available as a supplement.

Hawthorn (crataegus), vitamin E and pycnogenol might also be helpful for RLS caused by chronic venous insufficiency, but not likely to help in the absence of circulatory problems.

References

Walters AS, Ondo WG, Zhu W, Le W. Does the endogenous opiate system play a role in the Restless Legs Syndrome? A pilot post-mortem study. J Neurol Sci. 2009 Apr 15;279(1-2):62-5.

Hornyak M, Voderholzer U, Hohagen F, et al. Magnesium therapy for periodic leg movements-related insomnia and restless legs syndrome: an open pilot study. Sleep. 1998 Aug 1;21(5):501-5.

Patrick LR. Restless legs syndrome: pathophysiology and the role of iron and folate. Altern Med Rev. 2007 Jun;12(2):101-12.

MacLennan WJ, Wilson J, Rattenhuber V, et al. Hydroxyethylrutosides in elderly patients with chronic venous insufficiency: its efficacy and tolerability. Gerontology. 1994;40(1):45-52.

See Also

Apr 20, 2009 2:08 PM

Guest :

It`s very good that the medical community identified the causes and effects of the RLS.Hopefully we will be able to cure it easily.Visit www.RestlessLegSyndrome.com for more details.

May 22, 2009 8:34 AM

Guest :

I am 55, male, and had RLS for about ten years. I first found that taking fish or flax seed oil and 800 IU Vitamin E daily were helpful at reducing the symptoms. Later I found that taking 750 Mg GABA with 125 mg of magnesium oxide would get me back to sleep when I woke up at night with RLS. Walking for five to ten minutes also helps my legs to relax from the RLS. This treatment made the RLS condition bearable.
The cause of RLS remained a persistant mystery to me until recently. I am otherwise very healthy. I knew that GABA was helpful but taking GABA and magnesium didn't have any long term effect so it has to be taken right at the time of the RLS. I therefore had to wake up with RLS and take the supplements to resolve the RLS.
Recently I read about Manganese being needed in older adults to help in the production of GABA by the body. While I do take a vitamin supplement that has 10 mg of Manganese, these are helpful but sometimes not enough or not in a well absorbed form. When I started taking an extra 10 mg of Manganese Gluconate in the morning, my RLS symptoms immediately dropped off about 95% leaving me surprised at the result. Right now I take 20 mg to 25 mg Manganese; the extra 5 mg is taken on nights when minor RLS symptoms return. I am very happy with the results here.

I have a theory that some people may respond to taking Glutamine with improvements in their RLS. Glutamine is a supplement used by athletes and sold at health food stores. Glutamine provides the proteins which the body can use to create GABA. I had good success taking Glutamine to reduce my anxiety from recent changes in my life.

So taking Manganese Gluconate has been a big help in reducing my RLS symptoms to a vanishing level.
Dave