Modern science has rapidly advanced treatment options available to cure health conditions. Various adverse health conditions can now be cured completely by medicines. Seasonal illnesses can now be cured in a matter of days, and it is possible to go about your everyday life with minimal hiccups. Vaccines exist to help prevent other serious conditions from ever occurring.

However, several chronic health conditions do not have a complete cure. There are several other health conditions that science is yet to understand completely. These can be long-term conditions like Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS), which can disrupt your daily life.

Such conditions have not been completely understood, and their causes have not been completely identified. This makes finding a cure for such a condition extremely difficult.

Proper nutrition, however, can be one way of mitigating such conditions. Ensuring adequate nutrition intake can help your body perform optimally and can help prevent the occurrence of various conditions. Taking adequate nutrients can help manage certain conditions by mitigating major symptoms.

What is restless leg syndrome?

Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is a neurological disorder characterized by an irresistible urge to move the legs. The occurrence of uncomfortable sensations in the legs acts as a stimulus that encourages vigorous leg movement.

These sensations are often described as creeping, crawling, itching, tingling or burning, and they tend to be worse when a person is at rest or lying down. The sensation has often been likened to “an itch you can’t scratch” by several patients. Shaking the legs helps relieve the sensation among afflicted individuals.

RLS can also cause difficulty sleeping, as the urge to move the legs can interrupt sleep and lead to daytime fatigue. RLS symptoms can vary from mild to severe and can occur in either leg or just one leg.

The cause of RLS is not well understood, but it is thought to be related to a malfunction in the dopamine system in the brain.

RLS can occur at any age, although it is more common in middle-aged and older adults and can be a primary condition or a secondary symptom of other underlying health conditions.

Vitamins that can help Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)

Nutrition deficiency can be a possible cause of RLS, and supplementing with the right nutrition can help to manage it.

Some of the nutrients that can help manage RLS are:

Vitamin D –

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble essential nutrient vital in calcium, magnesium, and phosphate intestinal absorption. The RDA for vitamin D is 15 micrograms per day for adults. Vitamin D supplementation helps improve bone, teeth, and muscle health.

A scientific study conducted on those afflicted with RLS concluded that there was an observable link between vitamin D deficiency and RLS. A further study observed that vitamin D supplementation helped reduce the severity of RLS.

Some rich sources of vitamin D are cod liver oil, salmon, tuna, spinach, and soybeans.

Vitamin C –

Vitamin C, otherwise known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin that is easily available in citrus fruits and other fruits and vegetables.

The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for vitamin C is 75-90 milligrams daily. Vitamin C is extremely beneficial for boosting immunity and helps protect and fight against various ailments.

A 2018 study observed the benefits of vitamin C for patients undergoing dialysis and discovered that vitamin C was effective in reducing RLS in such patients.

Some food rich in vitamin C is citrus fruits, peppers, strawberries, blackcurrants, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and potatoes.

Vitamin E –

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble nutrient that helps in various functions of the body. The RDA for vitamin E is 15mg for adults and 19mg for lactating mothers.

Vitamin E offers various benefits to your body and helps improve vision, reproductive health, blood, brain, and skin health. It also has antioxidant properties and helps prevent damage caused by free radicals.

Some studies have suggested that vitamin E can benefit RLS patients when combined with vitamin C.

Some food rich in vitamin E are almonds, peanuts, spinach, pumpkin, bell pepper, and hazelnut.

Vitamin B12–

Vitamin B12, or cobalamin, is a water-soluble vitamin vital in metabolism. The RDA for vitamin B12 is 2.4 micrograms per day. Vitamin B12 is vital in maintaining and producing blood and nerve cells. Furthermore, it is involved in the production of new DNA.

Certain studies have observed a link between vitamin B12 deficiency and RLS. This association has been observed consistently and suggests that supplementation of vitamin B12 can help manage RLS.

However, further studies are required to study the benefits of vitamin B12 supplementation for improving RLS.

Vitamin B12 can be obtained by consuming meat, milk, cheese, eggs, and yogurt.

Conclusion

Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) can be an annoying condition to live with and can disrupt various everyday activities. However, it doesn’t pose a serious threat to health or life and can be managed by healthy lifestyle choices.

One of the most effective ways to manage RLS is by taking certain essential nutrients through diet or supplementation. Apart from helping manage ALS, these nutrients can have several beneficial effects on your health.

However, it is important to note that the root cause behind RLS is yet to be identified and could be due to different causes for different people. It is advisable to consult your healthcare provider before taking any supplementation to ensure it is best suited for your needs.