Light Therapy
★★★★★
Liver (Folate)
I was pregnant with my now almost one year old and developed RLS in the fifth or sixth month of gestation. It was HORRIFIC. I went about three weeks without sleep, exhausted beyond words. My mood was foul, I was a mental case. I knew I'd find a cure, so spent night after night searching. Eventually I found a great site, and realised I was lacking folate. Not folic acid which is some budget man-made chemical, but genuine bio-available pure folate from clean animal sources. Being paleo helps too.
I bought some grass-fed calves liver the following morning, ate up about half a cup and slept more deeply and with the greatest relief, you will only know the bliss that accompanied that sleep if you've suffered from this evil modern curse yourself.
Grass-fed liver- beef, ox, lamb, even chicken liver in pate. Get some folate in you.
(Fl, US)
09/29/2014
I currently take magnesium for restless leg syndrome. It resolves the situation.
I take an activated form B complex containing
Folate (as Quatrefolic [6S]-5-Methyltetrahydrofolic acid equivalent to 800 mcg of [6S]-5-Methyltetrahydrofolic acid, glucosamine salt) 400 mcg
This is suppose to be bio available.
Did you try this before trying liver. Also how much Folate would you estimate you are consuming.
(Australia)
11/03/2014
★★★★★
Liver is very high in IRON.
The high iron content is probably why eating liver gave relief.
There is 23mg of Iron in just 100g of liver!
Liver (Pork, Chicken, Turkey, Lamb, Beef)
| Iron in 100g | 4oz Serving (113g) | 1 ounce (28g) |
| 23mg (129% DV) | 26mg (146% DV) | 7mg (36% DV |
My favourite source of iron is Black-strap Molasses. It contains bio-available iron.
(Indianapolis In)
08/29/2020
While there is folate in some animal foods, mostly folate occurs in plant foods. https://wholesomechildren.com/healthy-living/foods-high-in-folate/
And since low iron / ferritin stores can often be a nutrient-deficiency cause of RLS, the fact that you had such a positive response to eating the liver suggests that it was primarily the heme iron that helped your RLS.
The other known nutrient-deficiency cause of RLS is folate (which is the type I have). Based on research I have done (I am not medical professional or scientist), it is my understanding that RLS is not a muscular condition but a neurological condition due to faulty dopamine processing in the brain (which could be either a deficiency or malfunction of dopamine receptors in the brain). Dopamine is a neurotransmitter which, among many things, controls sensory and motor impulses (ability to feel being touched and ability to move).
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320637#causes
I resolve (not cure) my RLS by taking a folate (not folic acid) supplement, calcium folinate, because I also have the genetic variation MTHFR (diagnosed through a blood test). I say resolve not cure because if I stop taking the supplement the symptoms of RLS come roaring back.
People with MTHFR do not convert folic acid properly, so they don't get the benefit of the folic acid as well as the unconverted folic acid can build up in the body and cause problems. Calcium folinate and another fully-converted folate supplement, L-5 MTHF (Quatrefolic or Metafolin) and eating lots of cooked greens, provides the body (and brain!) with adequate amount of folate. Folate and iron are nutrient building blocks of dopamine.
Low Ferritin + Folate Trigger
★★★★★
The syndrome was first mentioned by an English doctor, Thomas Willis, in 1672. In 1861, a German doctor, Theodor Wittmaack, described it as Anxietas tibiarum (literally anxiety of the lower leg muscles: the tibialis). The Swedish doctor Karl Ekbom in 1945 reported his observations in 34 persons with the condition and used the term "restless legs;" later, he observed 70 additional typical cases. Ekborn founded the department of clinical neurology of Uppsala University in 1956, continuing his studies of restless legs, which was known for some time as Ekbom's Syndrome or Wittmaack-Ekbom Syndrome. Much progress in understanding the disorder has been made recently as new study techniques have been developed.
Restless Legs Syndrome may have a genetic component (especially when onset is before age 50), and it is partly related to dopamine activity in the brain affecting function of the cerebral cortex; this is the same neurotransmitter involved in Parkinson's disease. Dopamine agonists (drugs that stimulate the dopamine receptors in the same way dopamine does) and dopamine itself (e.g., l-dopa) are often effective in treating the condition. However, studies suggest that the specific dopamine systems in the brain differ in Restless Legs Syndrome versus Parkinson's disease; the two disorders can coexist when dopamine levels are quite low.
Restless Legs Syndrome mainly occurs past age 50, and affects about 10% of those in that age group; it is particularly common in women. Poor circulation in the legs-which may result from history of smoking, diabetes, lack of exercise, and other factors-contributes to the development of the condition. Nutritional deficiency, particularly lack of bound iron, is known to exacerbate the disorder. The syndrome may also occur temporarily during late pregnancy, possibly as the result of reduced circulation in the legs and lower levels of folate (a B vitamin, B9).
Tests have suggested that serum levels of both ferretin and folate are involved in nutritional aspects of Restless Legs Syndrome (3-5). The levels of these nutrients within cells may not be relevant, nor, apparently, are levels of hemoglobin or free iron. Administration of iron and folate in deficiency cases can provide some relief and sometimes resolve the problem entirely. Folate deficiencies can result from genetic defects, low absorption, or dietary insufficiency (recommended intake for adults is 400 ?g/day). The following table displays good sources of folate (see the article Iron Deficiency Anemia for good dietary sources of iron; suggested daily iron intake is 7 mg for men; 12-16 mg for women). Some foods are rich sources of both folate and iron, especially liver (and, to a lesser extent, other meats), spinach (and, to a lesser extent, most green leafy vegetables), and several legumes (beans and peas). Fortified foods, such as breads and cereals, are also good sources of these nutrients. Folate was named for leaves (foliage) that were noted to be a significant source; the supplement form is called folic acid. Current recommendations suggest limiting intake of supplements with folic acid to 1,000 ?g (= 1 mg) per day, but the concern for high doses is eliminated when vitamin B12 is also administered.
Magnesium
★★★★★
Magnesium
Magnesium
★★★★★
Magnesium
★★★★★
Magnesium
★★★★★
Magnesium
★★★★★
Three or four years later I'm on a 'primal' (aka paleo/ancestral/caveman) diet which has been a MASSIVE boon to my whole body and mind, the legs are fine, no problem there at all now.
I do also have a pretty serious magnesium (and vitamin C) bath every week. I look forward to it after a full-on week because I sleep like a baby, my body is so thoroughly relaxed.
I use organic vege, meats, fruit and coconut oil/good fats. I soak my nuts and seeds in brine till they start to ferment, and the magnesium is mag. Chloride, 450grams, and very pure. I've also used cheaper epsom salts which are fine too.
Power to ya. : )
Magnesium
★★★★★
Magnesium
★★★★★
Anyway, I have read all the threads on this and as I cant get hold of the ivory soap in uk, I read the ingredients and the thread above and wondered if it was the magnesium.... And whether it had anything to do with the power being emitted or being absorbed by the body... Tonight I had a very bad case of rls and was generally tired.... I dreaded the night ahead.... I took a hot bath with epsom salts and went to bed with work to do on laptop.... My legs started to tingle after awhile but only mildly... I then put some epsom salts in a little mesh bag I had and put it under my feet and my co codamols at the ready..... That was over 2 hours ago... haven't had any pain, my legs haven't had to be moved, and I am surprised I haven't had to take my meds!!! ...
I will continue every night to see what worked... The hot bath or epsom salt bag... But definitely seems to be the magnesium... The rls seems to have eased and the throbbing pain is gone.. But joints are still a bit stiff in the hands but that's the wheat and grains at work!!
Magnesium
Magnesium
★★★★★
The first is magnesium supplementation, which I see is often mentioned on this site. When I feel the twitching, unable-to-stop-moving feeling, I get out of bed and take the recommended dose of a calcium/magnesium/Vitamin D supplement. I get back in bed and am asleep before I remember to check if it has worked. This doesn't seem to have a cumulative effect; I have to take this most nights. I might not need it a few times a week.
The second remedy I've found is a very healthy diet. When I eat nothing but fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, beans and a little fish, I never get RLS symptoms. As soon as I add unhealthier things to my diet, it comes back. I hope this is helpful to some of you out there and I hope you try some of these remedies before turning to Requip or some other drug.
Magnesium
★★★★★
(Anaheim, Ca)
12/02/2010
★★★★☆
I read all the comments made on controling restless leg... I want to add that I read the book, RLS cured forever and the author suggestion an elimination diet of all forms of dairy products (casinate, whey, milk, non-dairy creamer, etc). My RLS has improved 98%... I believe I was experiencing an allergy to dairy products due to a mineral deficiency my body is experiencing. I feel much better but it has been difficult at times when I crave donuts or products that contain dairy. However, it is worth not having RLS. I also want to add that I recently had a baby and I give him formula (I must be highly sensive to exposure... Throw-up.. Spills.. etc. ) so I believe this is why I still get some RLS. Anyway, I am going to try the vitamins, vinegar/water, blackstrap molasses and ivory soap. Thank you for all the info.
Magnesium, Vitamin E, Quinine
★★★★★
