Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a complex neurological condition that involves a mix of sensory and motor experiences. People with RLS often feel an urge to move their legs, which can be uncomfortable. This can make it hard to get a good night's sleep and affect daily life. As we learn more about RLS, we can find better ways to help manage it. This article will look at the possible genetic factors, neurological aspects, and different ways to help those who experience RLS feel better.
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What is Restless Legs Syndrome?
Restless legs syndrome (RLS), also known as Willis-Ekbom disease, is a condition where people feel a strong need to move their legs, often with uncomfortable feelings in the legs. This usually happens when a person is resting, especially in the evening or at night, and moving the legs can help for a short time. RLS can make it hard to fall asleep and stay asleep, leading to feeling tired during the day.
RLS affects up to 15% of the population. It can happen to men and women of all ages, but it is more common in women. Even children can have RLS, and the chance of having it goes up as people get older. (15, 19)
Restless Legs Syndrome Signs and Symptoms
People with RLS often feel a strong need to move their legs, with sensations that might feel like aching, throbbing, pulling, itching, crawling, or creeping. Sometimes, these feelings can also happen in the arms, chest, or head. (18)
Common characteristics of RLS include (18):
- Sensations typically occur during periods of inactivity
- Sensations are relieved with movement
- Symptoms are worse at night
RLS is considered a sleep-related condition because it can make it hard to fall or stay asleep. Symptoms of insomnia include feeling sleepy during the day, mood changes, trouble remembering things, and difficulty concentrating. (19)
More than 80% of people with RLS also experience periodic limb movement of sleep (PLMS), which involves involuntary leg twitching or jerking movements during sleep (18).
What Are the Possible Causes of Restless Legs Syndrome?
RLS may occur as a primary condition ("primary RLS") or due to another underlying factor ("secondary RLS"). The exact cause of primary and secondary RLS is not fully understood, but research suggests that issues with the dopaminergic system and low iron levels in the central nervous system may play a role.
While the exact genetic basis of the disorder isn't fully understood, the familial tendency of RLS suggests an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance in up to 75% of patients (15). Variants of the PPRD, BTBD9, and MEIS1 genes, which are involved in nervous system signaling and functioning, have been most strongly associated with RLS risk.
Secondary RLS may be associated with other medical conditions, including (19, 20):
- Depression
- Diabetes
- Fibromyalgia
- Hypothyroidism
- Iron deficiency (with or without anemia)
- Kidney failure
- Parkinson's disease
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Pregnancy
- Rheumatoid arthritis
Additionally, certain medications can influence RLS symptoms (20).
Acknowledging the theories surrounding iron deficiency and dopamine imbalance as factors for disease development and recognizing the gut's role in neurotransmitter synthesis, nutrient absorption, and systemic inflammation, emerging research focuses on the connection between RLS and gastrointestinal disorders. An estimated 25-30% of patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) have RLS. Other research has noted an increased prevalence of RLS in patients with celiac disease, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, and Crohn's disease (5).
Functional Medicine Labs to Test for Root Cause of Restless Legs Syndrome
Labs can help identify factors that might contribute to symptoms. A functional medicine doctor may suggest certain tests to better understand an individual's condition and make informed decisions about managing it.
Anemia Panel
A complete blood count (CBC) and iron panel, which should include ferritin, serum iron, total iron binding capacity, and transferrin saturation, screens for anemia and iron deficiency. Including a complete iron panel, instead of just ferritin - the standard lab marker for iron status - gives a more complete picture of iron metabolism and distribution throughout the body.
Thyroid Panel
A complete thyroid panel is used to screen thyroid function, measure circulating thyroid hormones, and assess thyroid conditions that can be associated with RLS symptoms.
Comprehensive Gut Assessment
A variety of testing options are available to assess gut health and function. A comprehensive stool test, which measures intestinal markers related to the large intestinal microbiome, digestion and absorption, inflammation, and immunology, is a popular panel amongst functional doctors to screen for intestinal inflammation, dysbiosis, and maldigestion that can contribute to systemic pathologies.
Serum testing, such as the Celiac, IBS, and Crohn's Assay (CICA) is also available to measure immune and genetic markers that can indicate celiac disease and inflammatory bowel disease. Positive results warrant a referral to gastroenterology for diagnostic endoscopy/colonoscopy.
An organic acids test (OAT) is a urine test that provides an in-depth snapshot of metabolic health and function. Many markers included on this panel are used to screen for dysbiosis, nutrient deficiencies, and neurotransmitter imbalances - making it a relevant test for evaluating gut health and RLS.
Vitamin D
Studies have observed a higher prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in people with RLS than in the general population. Additionally, there appears to be a negative association between RLS severity and serum vitamin D levels (i.e., higher RLS severity correlates with lower vitamin D). Vitamin D can be measured with a simple blood test to rule out deficiency and ensure that serum levels are within an optimal range. (3)
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Conventional Treatment for Restless Legs Syndrome
Since RLS is a chronic condition, conventional treatment generally focuses on managing symptoms. Addressing underlying medical conditions may help improve secondary RLS. The approach to managing RLS depends on the severity of symptoms, underlying causes, and individual patient characteristics. It generally includes avoiding certain triggers (e.g., caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine), regular exercise, and maintaining a consistent sleep schedule. In more severe cases, medications may be prescribed, including dopaminergic agents, opioids, anticonvulsants, and other medications that help manage the symptoms of RLS. Many of these medications come with warnings of adverse side effects and the potential for worsening of RLS symptoms. (2)
Integrative Medicine Protocol for Restless Legs Syndrome
In addition to the therapeutic diet and nutritional supplements discussed below, an integrative approach to managing RLS combines various methods to help with RLS symptoms. Some evidence suggests that non-pharmacologic interventions may help reduce RLS symptoms, including warm baths, yoga, acupuncture, infrared light therapy, massage therapy, and topical essential oils (8).
Therapeutic Diet for Restless Legs Syndrome
Due to the stimulating effects caffeine exerts on the nervous system and muscle tissue, increased caffeine consumption has been linked to RLS. Patients, therefore, may consider limiting or eliminating caffeinated beverages from their diet.
In one study of 131 patients with reactive hypoglycemia, 45% had RLS with spontaneous leg cramps. Symptoms improved when patients followed a diet designed to help with blood sugar control. The Mediterranean diet is a well-documented nutritional strategy to manage high and low blood sugar.
Given the association between iron deficiency and RLS, patients might consider incorporating iron-rich foods into their diet. These include red meat, oysters, liver, chicken, dark leafy greens, legumes, molasses, and tofu.
Best Supplements for Managing Restless Legs Syndrome
Nutritional supplements can be used to address nutrient deficiencies identified on lab work, help with uncomfortable symptoms, and support restful sleep.
Iron
Among many other things, iron is required to convert tyrosine to dopamine; roughly one-quarter of people with RLS are deficient in this essential mineral. A 2019 Cochrane review including ten studies and over 400 participants with RLS concluded that iron supplementation was more effective than placebo in improving restlessness and RLS severity.
Dose: iron as ferrous sulfate 325 mg twice daily
Duration 4-12 weeks
Vitamin D
As discussed above, evidence suggests that vitamin D deficiency can be associated with RLS. Therefore, if vitamin D deficiency is identified during laboratory evaluation, supplemental vitamin D may be considered. In a small study, vitamin D supplementation for 3-8 months to normalize deficient serum vitamin D levels was associated with improvement in RLS by 62%.
Dose and Duration: will vary depending on the degree of deficiency; doses may range from 1,000-10,000 IU daily to optimize and maintain vitamin D status
St. John's Wort
St. John's Wort is an herb that contains constituents that may influence messengers in the nervous system to support neurotransmitter levels and mood. Studies have found that St. John's Wort can be used to help with depression, insomnia, and symptoms of RLS.
Dose: 300 mg 1-3 times daily
Duration 1-3 months
When to Retest Labs
Retesting labs to monitor treatment will depend on each patient's circumstances. For example, those with secondary RLS due to hypothyroidism may require labwork every 4-6 weeks as thyroid hormone therapy is optimized and adjusted. Alternatively, hemoglobin A1c may be monitored every three months in diabetics until blood sugar goals are achieved. Frequent lab work may not be necessary for patients without underlying medical conditions, and clinical observation alone may be sufficient for monitoring treatment efficacy.
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Summary
By acknowledging the intricate interplay of RLS's genetics, lifestyle, environment, and underlying biochemical imbalances, a functional medicine approach unveils a comprehensive strategy to help manage RLS. Personalized interventions, encompassing nutrient optimization, lifestyle modification, and stress modulation, support the body's natural capacities to maintain balance, offering hope for RLS symptom relief.
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