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Food That Decreases Restless Leg Syndrome

Though the origins are often hard to pinpoint, researchers have linked some cases of restless leg syndrome (RLS) to mineral deficiencies that can be alleviated by changes in diet.

  1. What is RLS?

    • RLS affects approximately 12 million people in the United States. The main symptom of RLS is a burning or creeping sensation in the legs, especially when a person is lying down. As a result, people who suffer from RLS have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, which can lead to severe fatigue and exhaustion.

    Primary Causes

    • RLS is typically caused by a chronic disease that affects the nervous system. Kidney failure, diabetes, Parkinson's disease and peripheral neuropathy have all been linked to RLS and tend to abate or disappear altogether with treatment of the disease. Some medications, including anti-seizure drugs, anti-psychotic drugs and even cold and allergy medications, have been known to trigger RLS. Pregnant women have also been known to display mild RLS symptoms in their last trimester but the symptoms tend to disappear four weeks after delivery.

    Other Causes

    • Although 50 percent of RLS cases are considered idiopathic (origin unknown), others have been linked to low levels of iron or anemia. The incidence and severity of RLS symptoms can also be triggered by the intake of caffeine, tobacco and alcohol but they are not the root causes of RLS.

    What to Eat

    • There is no known cure for RLS, but changes in diet can have an affect on symptoms, including the jerky leg kicks and twitches that disturb sleep and can have a debilitating long-term effect. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) suggests that eating foods high in folate like spinach, asparagus and leafy green vegetables can help mitigate symptoms. Other foods like liver, eggs, fish, fresh fruit and nuts are also a good source of folate and should be eaten on a regular basis.

    How to Eat

    • In addition to eating the right foods, eating frequent, small meals also helps by keeping the level of nutrients and minerals in the body at a steady level. As is the case with many medical conditions, eating the right foods isn't a cure-all but is a good adjunct to other forms of treatment.

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