Is restless leg syndrome a rare and difficult to condition or a simple dietary deficiency that can be quickly remedied?

Do you have restless legs syndrome?  Maybe you just think you do thanks to the advertising savvy of pharmaceutical companies who make millions exaggerating this rare condition.

Restless Legs Syndrome: Forget the Media Hype

They’ve been so successful, that it’s become an epidemic in a population of restless yet inactive people who may really just be suffering from a common mineral deficiency.

I’ll discuss that deficiency with you in just a moment.  But first, I’d like to explain why you should avoid if at all possible the popular prescription drugs that are being marketed to treat restless legs syndrome (RLS).

The main RLS drugs fall under the category of tranquilizers, sleeping aids and pain relievers — substances that are highly addictive and are only masking the true problem.

The worst of the batch is Requip (ropinirole) which plays with your brain chemistry in the way drugs for Parkinson’s disease and ADHD do — by increasing or decreasing your production of dopamine (which regulates most of your bodily functions).

In fact, Requip is so powerful, it is often prescribed to lessen the effects of Parkinson’s disease.   “Hallucination” is listed under significant adverse effects of the drug.

Here’s what you really need to know about RLS but will not learn from any TV commercial.  The most common cause is usually a simple deficiency of the mineral magnesium in the muscle cells. Treating restless leg syndrome can be a natural process

Magnesium is the key component that allows cells to absorb other minerals like calcium, iron and potassium that are needed by your muscle cells.  Magnesium also allows your muscles to relax and even combats insomnia. These are three darn good reasons why this miracle mineral makes an easy solution for RLS.

One hundred years ago the average person consumed 500 mg of magnesium a day through their diet. Thanks to modern soil depletion, the average person is lucky to get 150 mg through food alone. Unless you’re juicing bunches of collard greens each day, supplementation is the best alternative.

I recommend taking magnesium in three forms:

Magnesium Citrate Powder: This may not absorb as well as the other forms but it still offers its own unique benefits. It also tastes the best. You can find a powdered drink mix called Natural Calm at most health food stores.  It can be added to water for a fizzy soda-like drink sweetened with organic stevia.

Magnesium Oil: This is a combination of supersaturated magnesium chloride in distilled water. You can massage this into your legs. It’ll absorb through the skin into the muscles. Good sources of magnesium oil can be found at www.globallight.net and www.magneticclay.com.

Angstrom Liquid Ionic Magnesium: Scientists have found that minerals enter cells through extremely narrow channels about 5 billionths of a meter wide. We normally would rely on plants to break magnesium down to this size. The company www.123minerals.com however, uses a process that breaks down magnesium into a highly absorbable form to enter these narrow channels. Usually one 75-mg dose of angstrom magnesium will have the same effects of 750 mg of citrate.

You can’t overdose on magnesium (unless you have kidney failure problems) so take as much as feels good for you. If you’re prone to loose bowel movements, get most of your magnesium through the oil and the angstrom minerals. If you’re prone to constipation, you may prefer to focus on the citrate powder which has a slight laxative effect.

Your body was built to move and your mind to think. Sitting in front of the TV watching ads for RLS inspires neither physical fitness nor mental creativity. No wonder people are restless! Dose up on magnesium, get plenty of exercise and participate in projects that challenge you mentally.  My guess is you won’t need any prescription drugs for RLS

Carolyn Dean, MD, ND is The Doctor of the Future and the author of 18 health books. She’s the medical director for the Nutritional Magnesium Association. You’re invited to receive a free subscription to her Doctor of the Future blog, join a 48-week Future Health Now! wellness program or schedule a telephone consultation at www.DrCarolynDean.com

How to Get Millions of People to Buy Into a Rare Problem

You can even find the non-profit Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation online at www.rls.org. But their obvious focus seems to be on increasing awareness of a condition “which severely affects the lives of millions of individuals.”

Restless Legs Syndrome

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) and periodic limb movement disorder are characterized during waking by an irresistible urge to move the legs while awake, and involuntary leg movements while asleep. For people with a family history of RLS

Restless Legs Syndrome: A Common Cause of Painful Legs

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a prevalent and underdiagnosed condition characterized by: • An urge to move legs due to unpleasant sensations. described as “creepy-crawly,” internal itch or pain. • The urge to move legs increasing 

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Did you ever go to sleep at night and about two hours into your restful sleep you suddenly awaken only to find that your legs are twitching like crazy? And then suddenly the aches and leg cramps start. These cramps can be so severe that it feels like somebody is digging a knife into your calves.

Well, if you’ve suffered, or are suffering with these symptoms, what you have is restless leg syndrome. The attacks can come at any time. And while this seems like a problem that just won’t go away, there are natural treatments for this condition that will rid you of your restless leg syndrome for good. But first, we need to understand what causes it.

Natural Treatment For Restless Leg Syndrome

In spite of what many people think, restless leg syndrome is not a neurological problem. The problem itself effects people as they get older. About 5% of the population in the United States suffers from this condition at one time or another.

It affects women more than it does men. Doctors have determined that the main cause of this problem is related to iron deficiency. While this condition can actually be inherited, being exposed to extreme cold or stress can also bring on attacks. There is also some evidence that suggests the disease is also related to heart and stomach disorders.

In most cases though, the problem comes down to circulation. Blood flow to the legs is being restricted and as a result, the legs have a tendency to cramp up.

So the key to treating this disease is to increase circulation to the legs. This can easily be done through natural means without having to resort to harmful drugs.

There are two means of treating restless leg syndrome. The first is what is called immediate care. This is what you should do when actually suffering from an attack. For the leg that is having the attack, take your foot and just move it around. This will help bring circulation back. Then, if you’re not in too much pain, get up and walk around for a few minutes until the attack stops. If the attack isn’t too severe, sometimes just changing the way you’re sleeping in bed can stop an attack. With some people, a heating pad works wonders. With others, soaking their feet in cold water does the trick.

The second means is called longer term care and this basically involves a number of life style changes. Most people who suffer from restless leg syndrome are coffee drinkers, so it is important to get rid of caffeine from your diet. Because of the iron deficiency possibility, it is important to take vitamins containing a sufficient amount of iron daily. It is also important not to eat large meals before bed as this can also lead to an attack. Finally, try to avoid stress and get plenty of exercise.

The above simple tips should be sufficient enough to keep you from suffering from restless leg syndrome for even one more day.

Author: S. Wagner

What Is Restless Leg Syndrome? – Restless Legs Syndrome Signs

Also known as Wittmaack-Ekbom’s syndrome, the condition is marked by uncontrollable movement of body to over-come odd sensations.  

Restless Legs Syndrome

If you are experiencing the symptoms of RLS, please see a physician to rule out any other medical problems. Information from The Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation 

13 Natural Remedies For Your Restless Legs

Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is not dangerous, but, it sure can interrupt your sleep and quality of life. RLS sufferers generally have more leg discomfort when sitting or lying down than when standing. The leg discomfort is worse at night

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