Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a neurological (brain-related) disorder that causes uncomfortable sensations in the legs and an uncontrollable urge to move them. Restless legs syndrome symptoms are worse at night and can cause significant sleep disturbances.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for restless legs syndrome, but treatment can help you better manage your symptoms. Early research indicates that restless legs syndrome may be associated with certain vitamin deficiencies, particularly vitamins B, C, D, and E. Experts suggest that taking vitamin supplements may help improve some symptoms of restless legs syndrome. Remember: Before you start taking any supplements, you should always talk to your healthcare provider to find out if they are right for you.
Restless legs syndrome can have a significant impact on sleep, making it very difficult to fall asleep and having difficulty going back to sleep after waking up. Walking or moving your feet may temporarily relieve the discomfort, but the discomfort may return when you stop moving.
Symptoms of restless legs syndrome occur most often in the late afternoon or evening and are worse at night. Common symptoms of this condition include:
- I have an uncomfortable feeling in my legs
- Symptoms worsen when resting or sleeping
- Symptoms are relieved when you move your legs
- Changes in sleep quality
- decreased concentration
- Decrease in productivity levels
- mood changes or depression
- daytime sleepiness
The frequency and severity of symptoms vary from person to person. People with mild restless legs syndrome may experience symptoms once or twice a week, while people with severe restless legs syndrome may experience symptoms every night.
Research suggests that vitamin B may play an important role in restless legs syndrome. Low levels of vitamin B12 can lead to the development of restless legs syndrome, and a lack of vitamin B6 can cause more severe symptoms. That being said, taking vitamin B6 and B12 supplements may help alleviate some symptoms.
You can also incorporate more B vitamins into your diet. For example, vitamin B12 is found in foods such as eggs, fish, and milk, and vitamin B6 is found in foods such as starchy vegetables, non-citrus fruits, and fortified cereals.
Both types of B vitamins have their own benefits, including:
| vitamin B6 | vitamin B12 |
|---|---|
| improve sleep quality | Supports the function of the nerves that limit involuntary movements of the legs. |
| Increases dopamine levels in the brain and helps reduce muscle spasms | Improved blood circulation reduces foot pain. |
However, like medicines, vitamins can have side effects. That’s why it’s so important to consult your health care provider and learn the risks before you start using supplements.
Vitamin B12 is generally safe to take because the body does not accumulate excessive amounts of the vitamin. However, vitamin B12 may interact with other medications you may be taking, such as Prilosec (omeprazole).
Like vitamin B12, vitamin B6 can also have drug interactions with other medications. This may include anti-seizure medications such as Epitol (carbamazepine) and asthma medications such as elixophylline (theophylline). Additionally, overdosing on vitamin B6 supplements can cause nausea, heartburn, or photosensitivity.
Vitamin D deficiency can cause dopamine dysfunction and may be associated with the development of restless legs syndrome. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter (a chemical messenger in the brain) that controls sensory and motor functions. Changes in dopamine levels can cause abnormal or involuntary movements, which can increase your risk of developing restless leg syndrome.
Early research suggests that adding more vitamin D to your diet or taking vitamin D in supplement form can improve the severity of restless legs syndrome symptoms. However, further research is needed to understand the effectiveness of vitamin D for restless legs syndrome.
Current research shows that vitamin D may improve symptoms of restless legs syndrome by:
- maintain healthy bones
- improve muscle movement
- Supports nerve function and limits involuntary movements
However, taking more vitamin D than necessary can cause side effects such as:
If your health care provider thinks vitamin D is a good option for you, he or she may prescribe a vitamin D supplement. Vitamin D is also found naturally in foods such as cheese, milk, yogurt, and fatty fish. Spending time in the sun also increases vitamin D levels, but it’s important to wear sunscreen and limit sun exposure to protect your skin.
People with chronic kidney disease are at increased risk of experiencing restless leg syndrome. Some studies suggest that taking vitamin C and vitamin E in combination can improve severe symptoms of restless legs syndrome caused by kidney disease.
Vitamin C and vitamin E both help the body against cell damage. But they have their own advantages. These include:
| vitamin C | vitamin E |
|---|---|
| improve sleep quality | It widens blood vessels and reduces the risk of blood clots in the legs. |
| Involved in collagen production and may reduce inflammation | Supports overall brain health and immunity |
Taking high doses of both vitamin C and vitamin E can also cause side effects. Taking too much vitamin C can cause nausea, diarrhea, and stomach cramps. However, taking too much vitamin E supplements may lead to an increased risk of bleeding and prostate cancer in those assigned male at birth. Research also shows that both vitamin C and vitamin E can interact with drugs that lower cholesterol and make cancer treatments such as chemotherapy less effective.
There is currently no cure for restless legs syndrome. Besides vitamins, other treatment options can also help improve symptoms. Your treatment plan will depend on your symptoms and the severity of your condition, but your health care provider may recommend a combination of vitamins, medications, and home remedies.
medicine
Certain medications can help relieve symptoms of restless legs syndrome. These include:
- Antiepileptic drugs: Antiepileptic drugs are the first choice of treatment for people with restless leg syndrome. These most often include Horizant (gabapentin enacarbil) and Lyrica (pregabalin).
- Dopamine agonists: These drugs help increase dopamine levels in the brain, which may reduce symptoms of restless legs syndrome. Mirapex (pramipexole), Nupro (rotigotine), and Requip (ropinirole) are three dopamine agonists currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat moderate to severe restless legs syndrome. .
- Benzodiazepines: Your health care provider may recommend benzodiazepines (a type of antidepressant) to reduce muscle spasms, insomnia, or anxiety associated with restless legs syndrome. The most common drugs in this drug class are Ativan (lorazepam) and Klonopin (clonazepam).
- Opioids: Healthcare providers recommend opioids only for people with severe restless leg syndrome who do not respond to other drugs. Codeine and methadone are two common opioids that are sold under various brand names and may be prescribed by health care providers to improve symptoms.
home therapy
Your health care provider may also recommend some home remedies to manage mild to moderate restless legs syndrome symptoms. Self-care tips at home include:
- stretch your legs
- Practice gentle aerobic exercise (such as walking) regularly
- keep a sleep schedule
- Avoid using nicotine, alcohol, and caffeine
- massage the feet
- take a warm bath
- Use foot wraps or compression socks designed specifically for people with restless legs syndrome
- Apply an ice pack or heating pad to your leg
Restless legs syndrome is a neurological disorder that causes uncomfortable sensations in the legs and an excessive urge to move them. Symptoms of restless legs syndrome are worse at night or at rest, and temporarily lessen or disappear with physical activity. Restless legs syndrome also has a significant impact on the quality of your sleep. Although there is no cure for restless legs syndrome, several treatment approaches are available to alleviate symptoms.
Early research suggests that certain vitamin deficiencies may contribute to the development of restless legs syndrome symptoms. Therefore, taking vitamins B6, B12, C, D, or E may play a small role in improving symptoms. However, before adding vitamin supplements to your treatment plan or making any changes to your diet, ask your health care provider whether increasing your vitamin intake is right for you.
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