Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)
Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is a neurological disorder characterized by four major features;
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A compulsory desire to move the limbs usually associated with a sensation of burning or tingling
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Motor movement to relieve discomfort such as floor pacing, leg rubbing, or stretching the limb
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Partial or temporary relief of symptoms by activity
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Worsening of the symptoms at rest and in the evening or night
Patients with RLS may also experience sleep disturbances and periodic leg movements either during sleep or while awake.
The prevalence of RLS in the general population has been estimated to range from 2% to 15% and it occurs more frequently in women than men. Symptoms of RLS can start at any age but in about 50% of patients the onset of symptoms begins before age 20. RLS often affects members of the same family.
Doctors still do not exactly understand what causes RLS. In fact, most cases of RLS are referred to as "idiopathic", meaning that the cause is unknown. Research indicates that RLS can be associated with other underlying medical conditions including rheumatoid arthritis, iron deficiency, pregnancy, hypothyroidism, peripheral neuropathy, and Parkinson's disease.
Possibly the most important single nutrient for this condition, Magnesium is relatively deficient in the modern diet and almost all nutritional programmes for general well being include extra magnesium. It is therefore expedient for sufferers of RLS to try adding extra magnesium to their diet.
Cereal grasses such as
Barley Grass Juice Powder contain abundant magnesium for a whole food supplement. The green aspect (chlorophyll) contains the bulk of the magnesium in the plant. It is the plants equivalent of hemoglobin, except the magnesium replaces the iron found in hemoglobin.
Ionic Minerals & Trace Elements contain a good portion of magnesium, 160 mgs per ten mls (The recommended daily amount of ionic minerals to help maintain essential healthy salts).
If you wish to try larger amounts of magnesium for a month or two, then
Blackmore’s Magnesium Phosphate tablets are recommended. However please bear in mind the more beneficial holistic support from Barley grass that helps to build the blood, improve circulation and provide Folic acid, which is also found to be helpful for RLS.
About 25% of subjects of RLS have been found to derive great benefit from iron supplementation whether they show signs of rank deficiency or not. Iron can be toxic in artificial form. We whole heartedly recommend Molasses (obtainable from most health shops) as the best source of iron. Try one heaped teaspoon in a cup of boiling water three times a day or one heaped dessert spoon once daily. You may get loose bowels from this initially, but this is only a natural cleansing process and lasts for only a few days or in some cases a couple of weeks.
The addition of
Zell-Oxygen to provide anti-oxidants and cell enzymes for correct cellular metabolism provides a comprehensive supplemental regime second to none.
Lifestyle changes are often suggested for RLS including
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Reducing or stopping use of caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco products;
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Developing and keeping a regular sleep schedule;
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Getting moderate exercise;
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Taking hot or cold baths, rubbing or massaging the legs or other affected body parts, or using a heating pad or ice pack.
Most Chronic (long term) health disorders have an autoimmune component - so we recommend that you read and follow the protocol outlined in the article Factors Involved In Auto-Immune Disorders And Effective, Natural Treatment Protocols. The remedies suggested are nutritionally balanced solutions that tend to raise overall health. (So it does not matter whether you have an auto-immune disorder or not). They contain enzymes and many other naturally occurring phyto-nutrients shown to help reverse and prevent disease generally by optimizing the immune and hormonal systems