FACT: The “tendencies” that cause RLS are passed down from parent to child. These tendencies are VERY changeable. They are not hard-coded.
Science now knows with absolute certainty that genetics play a much smaller role than previously thought.
Genetics determine certain traits that are passed on to children, such as hair color, the shape of the nose etc. (as we all learned in school) but beliefs, tendencies and conditions that are passed on are passed through what is called “epigenetics.” These are the SWITCHES that determine how our genes are going to act.
In the case of RLS, the inflammatory switches could be ON because of a poor diet, toxic environment, and in a lot of cases, stress.
Through relaxation as well as a healthy diet & lifestyle, the inflammatory switches can be turned OFF.
In other words, you’re not STUCK with RLS.
MYTH #2: There are “Two” Types of RLS – Primary and Secondary
FACT: There is only ONE type of RLS. RLS is ALWAYS caused by inflammation, not by another condition.
Having chronic inflammation in your body is like spilling a coffee on your keyboard. Something unpleasant is going to happen, you’re just not sure what.
When it comes to chronic inflammation, if you’re lucky, the first indication that there’s a problem will be your restless legs. It buys you some time to take preventative action against the manifestation of a more life-threatening condition.
In the now famous 2012 study by Dr. Leonard Weinstock titled “Restless Legs Syndrome: Theoretical Roles of Inflammatory and Immune Mechanisms” it was shown that 36 of the 41 RLS-associated conditions (88%) have been associated with inflammatory and/or immune changes.
According to the study “The fact that the majority of highly RLS associated conditions are also associated with inflammatory/immune changes suggests the possibility that RLS may be mediated or affected through these mechanisms.”
Parkinson’s, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth, Cancer or any of the other secondary conditions the study refers to do not cause RLS.
Inflammation is causing BOTH the RLS and the secondary condition.
MYTH #3: Iron Deficiency is a Primary Cause of RLS
FACT: The inflammation causing the RLS also affects iron levels.
It is well known in the scientific community that inflammation can affect iron levels (Chiari et al. 1995).
Although low iron appears to be one of the guilty parties when it comes to RLS symptoms, it is the INFLAMMATION causing the low iron levels that is the true perpetrator.
Pumping up iron levels in order to lessen RLS is treating the symptom, not the cause. Until the inflammation is dealt with, the iron levels will never truly stabilize.
MYTH #4: RLS IS Caused by an Imbalance in Dopamine Levels
FACT: The dopamine imbalance and the Restless Legs are BOTH caused by INFLAMMATION.
There are many scientific studies that show that a dopamine imbalance can be due to either low iron levels or caused directly from inflammation (Mizuno et al. 2004; Jellena et al. 2013; Bianco1 et al. 2008; Hunter et al. 2007; Liu et al. 2000).
As was the case with low iron levels in RLS sufferers, pumping up the dopamine levels helps with the symptoms, but does not deal with the actual cause. The inflammation that is causing the dopamine imbalance must be dealt with directly if the levels are ever to stabilize.
MYTH #5: Restless Legs Syndrome is a Disease
FACT: RLS is a BIOMARKER indicating that your body is dangerously INFLAMED and that ACTIONS must be taken to prevent further damage.
The body is an incredibly complex machine and one of its survival mechanisms is its ability to send our WARNING SIGNALS when something is not right underneath the hood.
For example, frequent headaches indicate that something beneath the surface needs to be attended to, whether it be stress, guilt, lifestyle, diet, a tumor, inflammation or something else.
In the case of RLS, your body is telling you that you have chronic inflammation and that it must be dealt with. If no changes are made, the inflammation will continue to increase, eventually resulting in the manifestation of additional conditions.
A nationally-recognized sleep expert has published an editorial describing Restless Legs Syndrome as a possible biomarker for underlying disease. The editorial appears in the March 5, 2014 issue of “Neurology” the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology and was authored by Boston Medical Center neurologist Sanford H. Auerbach, MD.
Dr. Auerbach suggests that “restless leg syndrome is a meaningful biomarker for serious disease, and that RLS screening may become more common as a tool for primary care providers to identify patients at risk.”
MYTH #6: RLS is Often Caused by Pregnancy
FACT: The RLS is caused by the HIGHER presence of INFLAMMATION in pregnant women.
Many scientific studies show that RLS symptoms are at their worst in the third trimester of pregnancy (Balendran et al. 2011; Neau et al. 2010; Lee et al. 2001).
Studies also show that inflammation levels tend to be higher in pregnant women, especially the third trimester (Gilbert et al. 2003; Denison et al. 2008).
MYTH #7: Aging Tends to Cause RLS
FACT: The RLS is caused by the HIGHER presence of INFLAMMATION in elderly people.
It is common knowledge that RLS has a higher prevalence in the elderly population (Dantas et al. 2008; O’Keeffe et al. 1993).
Inflammation levels also tend to be higher in the elderly population (Jenny 2012; Capuron et al. 2011; Van Kirk et al. 2011).
This information seems to always be presented in a way that indicates that the higher levels of RLS and inflammation are an unavoidable by-product of the aging process.
However, the truth is that it’s NEVER too late to change your diet and lifestyle. All you need is a strong will and a willingness to let go of your old habits.
Age really doesn’t matter. All that matters is your willingness to change.
Once you set your mind to making the necessary changes in your diet and lifestyle, the healing process begins. As a result, both your inflammation levels and RLS will lessen.
MYTH #8: There is No Cure for Restless Legs Syndrome
FACT: There IS a cure for Restless Legs Syndrome.
There are THOUSANDS of people, including myself, that offer living proof that a cure exists.
The cure varies for each individual, but the approach is always the same.
If you follow a strict anti-inflammatory diet, and are able to eliminate the main sources of your chronic inflammation (whether it be stress, alcohol, environmental factors, food intolerance etc.) you too will eventually become free of your RLS. There are no exceptions to this simple rule.
It doesn’t matter how BAD you think you have it, there exists a permanent way to calm your legs.
The single most consistent finding and the strongest environmental risk factor associated with RLS is iron insufficiency. Professor Nordlander first recognized the association between iron deficiency and RLS, and reported that treatment of the iron deficiency markedly improved, if not eliminated, the RLS symptoms.
Despite this strong association between serum iron insufficiency and RLS, only about 15% of the RLS clinical population appears to have peripheral iron deficiency (serum ferritin < 50 mcg/l). To account for this, Professor Nordlander in proposing his “iron deficiency” hypothesis of RLS stated “It is possible…that there can exist an iron deficiency in the tissues in spite of normal serum iron.”
This hypothesis has led investigators to examine whether the brain could be deficient in iron in the face of otherwise normal serum iron measures.
All studies to date support the concept of diminished brain iron in patients with RLS even when blood tests indicate that their iron stores are normal. Cerebrospinal fluid obtained by lumbar puncture has shown that the iron storage protein ferritin is low in RLS patients, despite these patients having normal serum levels of iron and ferritin.
Studies using MRI have shown decreased iron concentrations in the substantia nigra, one of the primary brain regions where dopamine-producing cells reside. One study using MRI found a strong relation between iron concentrations in the substantia nigra and the severity of the RLS symptoms.
Through the generous efforts of RLS Foundation, a Brain Bank has been set for RLS patients who poshumously donate their brains for study. Studies on these tissues have shown markedly diminished iron and iron storage protein in the substantia nigra, consistent with iron insufficiency in the dopamine cells. Overall the studies support the concept of iron dysregulation in brains of patients with RLS, particularly in dopamine-producing cells.
Gaps in our knowledge. Despite the substantial body of research on peripheral iron regulation, we still know very little about how iron is regulated by the blood-brain barrier or by the different cells within the brain. Also there is a relative lack of research on the effects of having iron insufficiency and on exactly how a brain region can be low in iron yet other organs in the body have normal levels?
Role of Dopamine in RLS
Marked improvement in RLS symptoms seen with drugs that stimulate the dopamine system and RLS-like symptoms produced with drug that block the dopamine system implicate the dopamine system in the pathogenesis of RLS.
Although cerebrospinal fluid is a crude method for assessing the dopamine system in the brain, data from CSF indicated possible increase in brain dopamine production. Imaging studies using special radioactive chemicals have found reduced receptor and transporter function in the brain of more severely affected RLS patients.
Tissues from the Brain Bank have shown that the dopamine cells are normal in appearance and number, with no indication of damage. However, these studies also found that the dopamine receptors were decreased and the proteins associated with producing dopamine (tyrosine hydroxylase) were increased.
The composite results suggest the presence of increased production and release of dopamine a malfunction of the receptors that bind the dopamine and transmit the dopamine signal to other cells. The increase in dopamine may be the brain cells’ response to the poor signal.
When you cannot hear the voices clearly on the TV, you turn up the volume. Cells interact with each other in the similar manner: if a cell cannot “hear” the dopamine message from another cell, it “tells” the other cell to “turn up” the dopamine. Thus despite the increase in dopamine, the end result may be a decrease in the effect that dopamine has on certain brains cells at certain times of the day (i.e., evening and night time) leading to the develop of RLS symptoms.
Future Exploration
Exactly how iron influences dopamine function is still unclear. Iron deficiency affects other systems in the brain, which potentially could affect the dopamine systems. Recent work done here at Johns Hopkins suggests another chemical in the brain, glutamate, may be equally important in causing some of the symptoms experienced by RLS patients.
Brain cells in culture and brains from animals show similar changes in the dopamine activity when the iron levels are lowered. We can uses these models of disease to examine the connections between iron and dopamine or glutamate, which may reveal what is happening in the human brain and specifically what is happening in RLS.
The Johns Hopkins RLS Center conducts and supports research, training, health information dissemination, and other programs with respect to the cause, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of restless legs syndrome.
Restless legs syndrome has been associated with numerous conditions involving systemic inflammation and immune dysregulation. One review paper published in 2012 investigated health conditions that were reported to cause or exacerbate RLS symptoms, and found that 95% of the 38 different health conditions that were strongly associated with RLS have an inflammation or immune component. These conditions include Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, ADHD, Alzheimer’s disease, Celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, sleep apnea, diabetes, and depression.
As further evidence, an elevated blood level of C-reactive protein (a marker of systemic inflammation) has been associated with increased RLS severity. (5) A small crossover trial found that a hydrocortisone infusion, which reduces systemic inflammation, reduced RLS symptoms.
Researchers have proposed three potential mechanisms to explain the association between RLS and inflammatory or autoimmune states: direct autoimmune attack on the nervous system; genetic factors that could predispose an individual to RLS and be triggered by inflammation or autoimmunity; and iron deficiency caused by inflammation, which I’ll talk more about below.
What to do: If your RLS is a symptom of underlying systemic inflammation or immune dysregulation, the goal should be to find and treat the root cause. As I’ve mentioned many times in the past, gut infections are often the culprit—even if you don’t have noticeable digestive symptoms—so get your gut tested.
If you already have a diagnosed inflammatory or immune condition such as those I mentioned above, the best first step you can take is to adopt a “low-inflammatory” diet and lifestyle. This means eating a nutrient-rich, low-toxin diet based on whole foods; getting enough sleep every night; prioritizing stress management; and incorporating regular movement into your day.
You can also check out the bonus chapter about autoimmune disease from my book, as well as explore other information on my site about reversing autoimmune disease, the autoimmune protocol, the role of the microbiome, and alternative therapies such as LDN.
Dr. Della Parker, a naturopathic doctor, was born and raised in Portland, Oregon. She graduated from Portland State University with a Bachelor of Science. She then went on to graduate from the National College of Naturopathic Medicine, also in Portland, Oregon. Dr. Della has struggled with health problems throughout her life. Severe asthma and eczema as a child led her down a path of chronic steroid use, which led to many other health problems. It wasn’t until she took a job as a receptionist at a holistic health clinic that she realized how health care could be different. Making basic changes to diet and lifestyle as well as being treated with the holistic model of health, she was able to regain and take control of her health. This experience put her on the path of becoming a Naturopathic Physician. Most conventional doctors use a “cookbook” approach to treating patients. They use protocols to treat diseases while disregarding the host. This takes the functioning of the individual’s body out of the equation. Dr. Della rejects this idea and instead uses a holistic approach to treatments. Using the holistic model means that the whole person is addressed. For example, ten different patients could present with high cholesterol. They each may receive a different treatment recommendation based on the functioning of their whole body. http://www.drdellaparker.com
I’ve stated many times on my website and social media pages why I call my remedy “An Absolute CURE for RLS.”
I call it an “ABSOLUTE” cure, because it is.
If you find out what is causing the inflammation in your body and begin to replace that with a healthier option, your RLS symptoms will lessen. This is guaranteed.
The more you lessen the inflammation in your body the more your RLS will lessen.
If you religiously follow an anti-inflammatory regime, and are able to eliminate the main sources of your chronic inflammation (whether it be stress, diet, environment, food intolerance etc.) you will eventually become free of RLS.
Once that occurs, then by definition (according to four of the world’s most popular dictionaries) that indicates that you have found a “cure” for your RLS.
Oxford Dictionary
“Relieve a person or animal of the symptoms of a disease or condition.”
Merriam-Webster Dictionary
“Something that stops a disease and makes someone healthy again.”
Cambridge Dictionary
“To make someone healthy again, or to cause an illness to go away.”
Scrabble Dictionary “Restore to health.”
At some point in time the Medical Community hijacked the word “cure” and made it their own. In their minds the only cure is one that eliminates a condition or disease through drugs.
This rigid interpretation of the word is not accurate. As the definitions above state, ANY way that you are able to eliminate your condition, is considered a cure.
It’s kind of ironic when you think about it. When is the last time you heard about a new drug on the market that actually cured something?
“Drugs are powerful tools when they are not overused, but the notion of simple drug fixes is fundamentally flawed. Every time a drug is introduced into the body to correct function A, it inevitably throws off function B, C or D.” – Bruce Lipton, author of “The Biology of Belief”
HERE ARE SOME OTHER QUOTES FROM THROUGHOUT HISTORY ABOUT PHARMACEUTICAL DRUGS:
“Medicines are of subordinate importance because of their very nature they can only work symptomatically.” – Hans Kusche, M.D.
“If all the medicine in the world were thrown into the sea, it would be bad for the fish and good for humanity” – O.W. Holmes, (Prof. of Med. Harvard University)
“Every drug increases and complicates the patients condition.” – Robert Henderson, M.D.
“Doctors give drugs of which they know little, into bodies, of which they know less, for Diseases of which they know nothing at all.” – Voltaire
“Drugs never cure disease. They merely hush the voice of nature’s protest, and pull down the danger signals she erects along the pathway of transgression. Any poison taken into the system has to be reckoned with later on even though it palliates present symptoms. Pain may disappear, but the patient is left in a worse condition, though unconscious of it at the time.” – Daniel. H. Kress, M.D.
“It’s supposed to be a secret, but I’ll tell you anyway. We doctors do nothing. We only help and encourage the doctor within.” – Albert Schweitzer, M.D.
“The greatest part of all chronic disease is created by the suppression of acute disease by drug poisoning.” – Henry Lindlahr, M.D.
“Every educated physician knows that most diseases are not appreciably helped by medicine.” – Richard C. Cabot, M.D. (Mass. Gen. Hospital)
“The physician should not treat the disease but the patient who is suffering from it.” – Maimonides
“Medicine is only palliative, for back of disease lies the cause, and this cause no drug can reach.” – Wier Mitchel, M.D.
“Medical practice has neither philosophy nor common sense to recommend it. In sickness the body is already loaded with impurities. By taking drug – medicines more impurities are added, thereby the case is further embarrassed and harder to cure.” – Elmer Lee, M.D., Past Vice President, Academy of Medicine.
“The doctor of the future will no longer treat the human frame with drugs, but rather will Cure and prevent disease with nutrition.” – Thomas Edison
“The necessity of teaching mankind not to take drugs and medicines, is a duty incumbent upon all who know their uncertainty and injurious effects; and the time is not far distant when the drug system will be abandoned.” – Charles Armbruster, M. D.
“We must admit that we have never fought the homeopath on matters of principle. We fought them because they came into our community and got the business.” – Dr. J.N. McCormack
Merton came in to my office complaining that he couldn’t sleep. He was tired all day, falling asleep every time he sat down. After some discussion, we found the reason for his sleeplessness: his legs wouldn’t relax, he consistently felt he needed to get up and walk, or move around, all of which is known as Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS).
Sometimes, this would wake him up in the middle of the night and he just had to get up and move. The problem had gotten worse since he had quit smoking. When he smoked, he found if he could just take one long drag and hold it in, then the feeling would go away.
We tried many remedies, including sleeping pills and natural sedatives, but nothing worked. I was ready to throw in the towel and tell him to take up smoking again, until I thought that his problem might be related to something in the tobacco – nicotine! Nicotine in tobacco can increase dopamine in the brain and “treat” some people with RLS.
Restless leg syndrome is not a disease; it’s merely a symptom. There are multiple reasons for having this problem so there isn’t one cure for people with RLS. Since most RLS seems to be an imbalance of dopamine in the brain, it has been treated as Parkinson’s disease with dopamine-like drugs such as L-dopa or Requip. The problem with these is that they cause inflammation in the part of the brain that produces dopamine and, over time, can make the problem worse. Before you consult a medical specialist I would recommend trying the following, one at a time:
Proper Avoidance
First of all you should avoid stimulants such as sugar (yes, it’s a stimulant), MSG and caffeine. Especially avoid energy drinks.
Mineral balance
The ability for muscles to relax requires a proper balance of sodium and potassium, as well as calcium and magnesium. Mostly, we get enough sodium and calcium, but not enough potassium and magnesium. These can be taken as supplements, but I always recommend using foods first.
The foods that contain both of these are:
•Green vegetables
Many are amazed at how their restlessness disappears when the eat greens as a significant proportion of their diet.
•Fruit
You have probably heard that bananas contain lots of potassium, and they do, but most other fruit does as well.
•Nuts and seeds
These are best eaten fresh a nd raw so the oils aren’t oxidized.
•Whole grains
When grain is processed, the magnesium is removed. I recommend avoiding all processed grains for many other reasons also.
Supplements that I have seen work in the past include:
• magnesium powder • calcium lactate 400mg at night • potassium iodide 40mg with a meal
Vitamins E and F
The modern diet has a tremendous imbalance of oils. Those with Restless Leg Syndrome have significantly lower levels of essential oils and vitamin E.
Vitamin F is the name given to all the 5 essential fats that our bodies can’t make – we need to eat them. One of the functions of these fats is to regulate the absorption and utilization of minerals such as calcium. This is the RLS connection. This regulation allows the muscles to relax normally.
Recommendations: Eat fish or flax seeds or take flaxseed oil or fish oil 5 grams per day. Take “Mixed Tocopherols” or natural vitamin E 600 IU per day.
Niacinamide and L-Tryptophan
Vitamin B3 is an important part of energy production. Moreover, having this vitamin in sufficient amounts is important for the production of Serotonin, which is made from L-Tryptophan and has a calming effect on the brain.
Recommendations: Niacinamide, 500mg three times per day with meals and L-Tryptophan 2000mg at night on an empty stomach.
Folic Acid
If RLS runs in your family, it might be because of a relative folic acid deficiency. Some people don’t “methylate” folic acid very well. Even though their blood levels are normal, they can’t use it properly. Those with this problem may need up to 30mg of folic acid per day.
Recommendation: You must use the amount required to relieve the symptoms, adjusting the dose as needed. You may also find that you need considerably less if you get the activated form, called MTHF (methytetrahydrofolate or methylfolate).
Iron
Studies indicate iron to be a major player in RLS because it is needed to make dopamine. Most people who suffer from RLS either have low total body iron, or just in the brain. Be careful with iron supplementation because too much iron causes inflammation. Ideally, you would want a test of iron levels before taking extra.
Recommendation: Supplement iron with an iron nail (16-penny NOT galvanized) clean it off with sandpaper or steel wool and put it into an orange. The next day take it out and eat the orange. Put the nail in the next orange. The following day take the nail out and eat the orange, putting the nail into another orange. Continue with this daily. Within one week you should have noticeable improvement. If not, you probably don’t need iron.
There isn’t just one “cure” for Restless Leg Syndrome. Merton finally found relief when we increased his dopamine levels and slept like a baby.
If you feel like you need to move your legs you might consider the above natural treatments: calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, folic acid and vitamin E.
It may take some trial-and-error, but it’s worth avoiding drugs and getting a good night sleep.
Dr. Scott D. Saunders, MD is a practicing physician, specializing in preventative healthcare, who utilizes eclectic health care for the whole family, including conventional, orthomolecular and natural medicine. He is also the medical director of The Integrative Medical Center of Santa Barbara in Lompoc, CA. He went to UCLA medical school and is board certified in family medicine.
Hopefully those of you that are stuck in a deep, seemingly hopeless pit with your RLS, can draw some inspiration from this study.
In 1993, the Institute of Noetic Sciences published “Spontaneous Remission: An Annotated Bibliography.”
In this work, the authors defined spontaneous remission as “the disappearance, complete or incomplete, of a disease or cancer without medical treatment or treatment that is considered inadequate to produce the resulting disappearance of disease symptoms or tumor.”
“The Remission Project catalogued the world’s medical literature on the subject and the resulting book was the largest database of MEDICALLY REPORTED cases of spontaneous remission in the world, with more than 3,500 references from more than 800 journals in 20 different languages.
An example of “pure remission” would be a patient diagnosed with bone cancer, who refused treatment and who is disease-free more than 10 years later (so we’re not talking about the placebo effect).
Spontaneous remission of cancer has been reported in almost every type of cancer. The largest number of cases are reported in a few types of cancer: neuroblastoma, renal cell carcinoma, melanoma, and leukemias/lymphomas comprise the largest number of cases reported.
Psychological and spiritual factors play a role in remission and survival is evident from the stories of people who have experienced unexplained recoveries from cancer and other diseases, but since the role of mind and the spirit is different for each person, it is difficult to generalize their influence.”
SO, WHAT DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH RESTLESS LEGS SYNDROME?
Even though there is “no cure” for cancer, thousands of people over the years have beat the disease.
And there is no set way to this “cure.” There’s no pattern. They all had to do it in a way that WORKED FOR THEM.
Through a combination of a focused determination, perseverance, courage, changes in diet, beliefs & attitudes, physical exercise, meditation, prayer etc. they beat an unbeatable disease.
They overcame their cancer by creating a cure through trial and error, based on their own life experience, using the successes of others as a “guideline.”
“THERE IS NO CURE FOR RESTLESS LEGS SYNDROME!!!!!!“
Yes, I’ve heard it a million times.
For several years now I’ve posted on RLS community boards information that I believe would be helpful to those that are suffering.
The most common reaction I get is that there is “NO CURE FOR RLS!” (followed by YOU QUACK, YOU FRAUD, YOU DISGUSTING EVIL PERSON etc.).
In fact the reaction is so strong I’ve been banned for good from RLS.uk. And on top of that, no current member is even allowed to reference me or my website.
I was banned from both RLS.org and RLS.org.au but was allowed back to both. I know I’m currently on thin ice on one of them. I’m on thin ice, and I censor myself so intensely it’s embarrassing, just to avoid getting the boot again.
One nutcase that runs a Yahoo RLS group notified the FDA about me.
All because I claim there is a cure.
I guess if you can invoke that type of reaction you must be doing something right?
It is criminal that these so called “moderators” screen out the information just because they disagree with it – information that the new or casual observer is unable to read and decide for his or herself whether or not they would like to follow up on it.
I understand that in their minds, the moderators are protecting their flock, but the truth is they have serious control issues that are condemning their members to “life on meds” – continually brainwashing them with the idea that THERE IS NO CURE.
“Stay on your meds and wait with the rest of us for a cure!”
That’s the message.
THE DEFINITION OF INCURABLE
Here is the definition of Incurable from Dictionary.com
adjective
1. not curable; that cannot be cured, remedied, or corrected: an incurable disease.
2. not susceptible to change.
So, by definition, since I had RLS and no longer have it (and many others as well) that means RLS is actually NOT incurable. It is then by definition, curable.
WHY ARE ALL THE SUCCESS STORIES IGNORED?
There are hundreds, probably thousands of people that suffered from RLS, and because of changes in their life, no longer do.
Yet the most common response I get to my claim is not “what did you do to break free, for God’s sake, please tell me!”
The most common response is “you didn’t really have it” or even better “you’re just making this all up!”
It sounds like a really bad parent, doesn’t it?
Of course the claim of these hardliners (and there are many of them) is that their RLS is REALLY REALLY REALLY BAD … something the average sufferer couldn’t even imagine, or endure.
It’s only the people with mild or pretend RLS that get better.
It’s the heroic ones that still suffer with the “TRUE” RLS.
PEOPLE TAKE IT PERSONALLY
When I post something that hints that there is a cure for RLS, people start freaking at me, interpreting my post as an attack on their character.
They feel that I’m telling them that because they are on meds, they are weak.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
The reason I post the information is so that people who are trapped in a living Hell can “consider” alternatives. I’m only trying to let them know that there are options.
If you escaped from something that was inescapable, would you not try to help others who are still trapped?
It’s human nature.
The whole foundation of self-help groups is based upon this principle.
YOU CAN STAY ON MEDS AND DEVELOP A PLAN OF ACTION
My wife Barb developed a three year multi-stage plan to quit smoking. I had to respect that. That’s what SHE needed to do in order to quit. She developed a plan of action based on HER life experience and HER character and set it in motion.
And it worked. At the end of the process she stopped smoking. She hasn’t had a cigarette in eight years.
However, if she was to push her method on a friend who still smoked, it would be violently rejected.
Her friend has to develop her OWN plan of action.
Her friend, when she decides to quit, can reference what has worked for other people, but for her to succeed, it has to be done HER way, on HER terms.
The cure for RLS is no different.
“I TRIED EVERYTHING AND IT DIDN’T WORK!!!”
The most common excuse is “There is no cure because I tried everything and it didn’t work!”
That’s like saying “I TRIED AA AND IT DOESN’T WORK … SO I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO CONTINUE DRINKING!”
I know from several people that I’ve talked to that they have dramatically changed their diet. Yet, they still suffer.
It doesn’t mean that there isn’t a solution for them. All it means is that they haven’t found it yet.
Every “cure” is going to be a bit different for each person. Just like with spontaneous remission and my wife’s smoking.
But, there IS a cure that exists for every one of you reading this.
It all comes down to how much effort are you willing to put into finding it? And are you willing to change your actions, beliefs and attitudes?
SO WHO IS THIS “EXPERT” THAT SAYS THERE IS NO CURE?
Who is this mystery person that originally informed the world that there is no cure for Restless Legs Syndrome?
Maybe it’s Dr. Mark Buchfuhrer, the legendary RLS specialist “Dr. B” that used to be in a Mirapex commercial?
It can’t be any of the doctors that I’ve quoted from articles and studies. They’re all quacks.
Regardless of who the source is, I’ve never been shown one solid piece of evidence showing that RLS is not curable. In fact it’s quite the opposite.
It’s always just a knee-jerk reaction, with no evidence to support the “incurable” claim.
It’s kind of like atheists continually asking people to prove there is a God. Yet, they’ve never offered one grain of evidence proving there isn’t.
MY SMALL BUT GROWING DATABASE OF SUCCESS STORIES
The truth is more and more people are taking the situation into their own hands and are making the necessary changes to become free of there RLS.
This RLS Blog contains a LOT of information about Restless Legs Syndrome, covering a wide spectrum of different areas and aspects.
Because of that, a casual passerby at 4am that’s just trying to find a solution for their wonky legs may be overwhelmed or frustrated as they have to dig through information on epigenetics, glutamate, histamine etc. in order to find out what this “CURE” is all about.
For that reason I have created this post which I will LOCK into the first position on the blog so that this overview of “An Absolute Cure for RLS” will always be visible to newcomers.
INTRODUCTION
Throughout our early history the majority of the world’s population considered the earth to be flat. That was a normal way to think.
If you were to shout out that the world was ROUND back then, you would have probably been pelted with rotten vegetables.
You would have been called a NUT … a person DESPERATE for attention.
And then things changed.
In the early 16th century, Ferdinand Magellan proved to the Western World, that without a doubt, the world was in fact ROUND.
A new awareness was created.
But there were MANY before him that had the same knowledge. Ferdinand Magellan was simply part of a lineage of belief.
Despite the fact that most of the 300 million inhabitants of the planet in the early 1600’s believed the world to be flat, and but a small handful of astronomer-types believed it to be round, the truth was never altered. Not for a second. It was ALWAYS waiting there to be discovered.
A belief never has nor ever will alter the truth. The number of people supporting the belief does not matter.
So, What’s My Point?
Please understand, I’m not saying that I’m ANYTHING like Ferdinand Magellan. He had more courage in his baby toe than I have in my entire body.
But, despite my foibles, I have also stumbled upon a truth. And despite what anyone says, regardless of their intelligence, their degrees, their stature or whatever opinion they may have, there is NOTHING on earth that is going to change this simple truth that I have stumbled upon.
The simple truth is this basic formula.
LESS INFLAMMATION = LESS RESTLESS LEGS
Regardless of what your reaction may be to me, my views, or natural remedies in general … this truth that I am presenting to you is NEVER going to change.
AN ABSOLUTE CURE FOR RESTLESS LEGS SYNDROME (RLS)
PROLOGUE
There is NO case of RLS that is beyond repair.
But please note … it is a PROCESS of RECOVERY. There is no magic pill.
You are exchanging your inflammatory diet and lifestyle (removing whatever it is in your life that is causing the inflammation in your body) for an anti-inflammatory diet and lifestyle.
As you can imagine, many sacrifices will need to be made. Some will be drastic. For starters you need to cut down on inflammatory items such as sugar, alcohol, refined flours, caffeine and dairy.
It may seem impossible, but if you move in this healthy direction, I can assure you that the sacrifices you make will pay off.
I had horrible RLS for 23 years. I am now living a life I could have only dreamed of a few years ago. Words cannot express how grateful and relieved I am to have normal healthy legs and regular sleeping habits.
Something I learned from my own experience is that the MORE effort you put into your recovery, the FASTER you will heal.
If the only change you’re willing to make is to buy some magnesium or cut down on your sugar intake, then your recovery will be SLOW.
If you follow the advice given on this website, and go at your recovery with EVERYTHING you have … you will be rewarded for your efforts!
STEP ONE: STOP CONSUMING INFLAMMATORY FOODS AND BEVERAGES
If a fire breaks out in your kitchen, the first thing you need to do in order to save your house is to put out the fire!
It’s pretty basic logic. You can worry about the smoke damage, your melted toaster, the ruined curtains and whether or not your insurance covers the damage … after the fact.
But until you put that fire out, nothing else matters.
You must take the same approach when taking on your RLS. You must first PUT OUT the fire that is causing your restless legs.
Nothing else matters. You can switch medications all you want … but until you shift your WILL, and make a CONSCIOUS decision to stop eating and drinking the inflamatory substances that are ADDING TO YOUR INFLAMMATION … NOTHING is going to change!
STEP TWO: HEALING THE CHRONIC INFLAMMATION THAT IS CAUSING YOUR RLS
Look at each supplement below as a different firefighter with a firehose. The best way you can attack the inflammation is from ALL angles with as many firefighters as you can round up. This will speed up the healing process immeasurably.
Again, it’s crucial … absolutely essential that you begin to watch your diet. You need to at least pull back a bit from your regular intake of the most common RLS triggers (caffeine, gluten, aspartame, sugar, dairy, salt, MSG, red meat and alcohol).
Taking the supplements while you continue to consume a diet FULL of RLS triggers, is like spraying TWO hoses on the fire – one hose pouring WATER on the fire and the other hose pouring GASOLINE on the fire.
Little progress will be made, if any.
YOUR DAILY INTAKE OF SUPPLEMENTS, VITAMINS, MINERALS and HERBS
Supplements are often expensive. With that in mind I have created a “BASIC GROUP” of supplements that should be affordable for most people.
Keep in mind that the supplements listed below are addressing THREE main areas.
1. It is certain that you have chronic inflammation. This will be lessened.
2. It is very likely that you have higher than normal histamine levels, which contributes to a racing mind and sleepless nights. This will be lowered.
3. It is very likely that you have higher than normal glutamate levels, which also contributes to a racing mind and sleepless nights. This will be lowered.
Magnesium (Mg) is a co-factor in several hundred enzymatic reactions in the human body. Magnesium reduces histamine release. Magnesium plays a direct role in lowering common inflammatory markers.
Carrot Juice (anti-inflammatory)
Carrots are perhaps best known for their rich supply of the antioxidant nutrient that was actually named for them: beta-carotene. However, these delicious root vegetables are the source not only of beta-carotene, but also of a wide variety of antioxidants and other health-supporting nutrients.
A component of the popular Indian curry spice turmeric, Curcumin is considered a potent non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory. Curcumin has been shown to be as effective as cortisone and phenylbutazone in decreasing inflammation. It also works in several ways to decrease inflammation by reducing prostaglandin activity.
Grape Seed Extract is one of the most potent antioxidants known; over 50 times more potent than Vitamin E or C. It acts as a natural antihistamine and anti-inflammatory. The main active component is its high content of proanthocyanidin (OPC or PCO). Proanthocyanidin is found in red, white, and purple grapes, blueberries, cherries and plums.
Iron (anti-inflammatory)
Iron is an essential mineral whose main function is to help carry oxygen from the lungs to the muscles and other organs. Iron deficiency is more common than many think. It is estimated that only 65-70% of all Americans meet their daily recommended intake.
L-Theanine (lowers glutamate level)
L-Theanine is thought to be the key to tea’s subtle but calming effects despite the caffeine content in tea. L-Theanine is thought to counter the stimulating effects of caffeine by increasing the production of alpha brain waves. Alpha waves are associated with a state of deep relaxation while being mentally alert.
Extensive research indicates that omega-3 fats reduce inflammation, helping to prevent inflammatory diseases like heart disease and arthritis. The omega-3 fatty acids can also be natural antihistamines that are useful to combat allergies as they reduce the inflammatory reaction associated with allergies.
Valerian works exceedingly well for anxiety, insomnia and stress. Many people don’t know about one of the oldest herbs in existence valerian. Valerian has many healing qualities … in fact the latin root word valere means to be healthy. Valerian is one of the best herbs for stress … helping with insomnia, restlessness, nervousness, and inducing relaxation. Valerian is a good anti-inflammatory agent helping with swelling, pain, and redness… plus it also calms nerves … and promotes peace of mind.
In addition to being a powerful anti-oxidant and immune booster, some studies have shown that high doses of vitamin c can help reduce sensitivity to allergens and reduce inflammation, mucus production and wheezing.
Water (anti-inflammatory, natural antihistamine)
Drinking plenty of water is one of the most effective natural remedies for inflammation. Water reduces inflammation and promotes cartilage health. To reduce internal inflammation, drink water to carry away waste products. Your body releases histamine in order to stop water loss. If you give your body adequate amounts of water, less histamine will be released.
I urge you to read through the information on my main website www.rlcure.com
It’s all free information. Nothing is hidden from you.
This method has worked for me and many others. And it will work for ANYONE that is willing to change their lifestyle – to allow the inflammation in their body to cool down.
How you find the source of your inflammation, that’s your own personal journey. The RLcure website will guide you along, and show you where to look.
When you find out what is causing the inflammation in your body, that is the day you can start waving good-bye to your RLS forever!
I highly recommend that you take a moment to view the TESTIMONIALS from people that this “Absolute Cure” has helped.
These testimonials will hopefully help you to understand that recovery is possible, EVEN FOR YOU … no matter how HORRIBLE your RLS has become!
I was certain when I first started promoting “An ABSOLUTE Cure for RLS” that it wasn’t going to work for people who were still taking RLS or sleep medication(s). This includes all the usual suspects including Requip, Mirapex, Sifrol and of course Ambien.
The RLS medications are powerful and often unpredictable. I didn’t think that they would allow the healing process to begin unhindered.
It turns out that I was quite wrong. I’m not a doctor (as is pointed out to me daily) and was assuming that these heavy medications would not allow nature to work its wonders – to allow the inflammation to begin healing.
From the feedback I’ve been getting over the last few years, it’s clear that the anti-inflammatory diet DOES work for MANY people still taking their RLS meds.
I can’t say it will work for every one of course, I’m sure there are some exceptions. These medications are often quite erratic in the way they act. You only have to go on a RLS discussion board to find out how various drugs and dosages affect different people in different ways.
For our purpose, the key is that IT’S VERY LIKELY that a strict anti-inflammatory diet (avoiding all the main RLS triggers) will work for you and bring you some relief … even if you continue on with your medication(s).
When it comes to antidepressants, anti-anxiety or ANY other type of medication, I have absolutely no idea whether the anti-inflammatory method will work for you. You’ll have to research that on your own.
Here are a few testimonials from people that have had great success with the anti-inflammatory diet while still taking meds (I’ve already posted a couple of these testimonials, but they are worth taking a second look at).
“You said I should let you know how I do with my pretest. Well, after about 2 1/2 weeks, I am down to about half my normal Miripex dose!! I take a slow-release dose of 0.375 mg around 2pm, and previously would need one to three doses of 0.125 mg of quick release to get through the evening, if you can call falling asleep from the sedative effects of the drug by 8pm an evening! Now I have had pretty quiet legs and can stay awake till a normal time. What can I say? I will continue, and add more of the supplements. It is obviously working.
I have an appointment with my neurologist soon, and I’m thinking what a hoot it might be to report this to him. Of course, the best response would be for him to drop his jaw and demand to hear all about it, but more likely it will be one of those “Oh, I see, so you probably imagined your illness and are enjoying a nice placebo effect from this method.” kind of reaction. Anyway, I am not expecting perfect, smooth sailing every day, but I do have a very real, wonderful hope for relief that wasn’t there before, and no matter how far this goes, whether or not I end up cured or not, I thank you SO MUCH for all your work and devotion to this cause. I am a strong Christian, and consider you part of God’s answer to my prayers for help with this miserable ailment.”– Nadine A. Waukesha, WI
“You’re the best! David, I’m the happiest I have ever been. I have faith again…and feel I am doing something for the first time that is actually good for me. No quick fix. A real lifestyle change. My husband sees the difference in me and is happy he seems to be getting his wife back. I had begun to be very negative, irritable and joyless all the time. I am so grateful for all I have learned from you (I know you probably are modest and won’t take all the credit…but you should…because you shared something freely…that is beginning to change my life.) I’m excited for the future. Thanks for the encouragement too…it really helps!”– Lisa Wilson, Simi Valley, CA
“Dave, I just had to let you know that you’ve changed my life. My words can’t express how I feel. I can’t thank you enough! It’s only been about 3 weeks and my legs are in amazing shape. I stopped taking Requip after about 8 days. I’m telling everyone I know about it. My wife has fibromyalgia and she’s going to try out your remedy as well. The drugs she’s using now are so powerful she can only go on them for a short while. I’ll keep you posted! Thanks again!”– Marty Krais, Brooklyn, NY
“David, “Thank you very very much for sharing your knowledge with all of us RLS sufferers around the world. The carrot juice cure really works! I still take 0,18 mg of Sifrol per evening, but I am now symptom free. Before the carrots juice I had to go every evening through a one or two hour leg itching suffering, even with the Sifrol. You substantially improved my live! Thank you!” – Guy Koekelbergh, Belgium
“I recently gave up coffee and all sugar (one month ago) and it has helped my RLS a lot. I have reduced my Levodopa by 50%. One week ago I started having serious green juices twice a day (8 ounces of spinach, carrot, ginger, celery, dandelion greens, etc) and I think that is helping also. The work you have done, the research and the website – not to mention the insight that RLS is caused by inflammation – my hat is off to you. Really incredible!” – James Carouba, Costa Rica
Amazing things are happening. It’s a very exciting time!
1. The most common issue people have had with the remedy is the high cost of the supplements. Some of them can be very expensive. To put a couple hundred dollars a month towards supplements is just not realistic for most people.
With that in mind I have created a “BASIC GROUP” of supplements that should be affordable for almost everyone.
After the BASIC GROUP, you’ll see a list called the “ADDITIONAL SUPPORT GROUP.” These are supplements, vitamins, minerals and herbs that I highly recommend you include … only if you can afford them.
2. The second reason for the update was to include supplements that will help lessen the glutamate and histamine levels that, during various studies, have found to be higher in Restless Legs subjects.
I have also updated the PRETEST page. The PRETEST supplements are a very small group of vitamins, herbs and minerals that I suggest people try out if their skepticism won’t allow them to dive right in.
The PRETEST includes supplements that will not only provide anti-inflammatory support, but will address the high levels of histamine and glutamate, as well as. It will hopefully bring a better sleep to your recovery, sooner.
In case you’re reading this and thinking that I’m trying to sell you these supplements, that’s not the case. You have to purchase them on your own at your local Health Food Store.
I’m going to post answers to the THREE most common questions I’ve been asked over the past few years.
QUESTION ONE: “What brand of herb/supplements should I buy and how many should I take of each?”
ANSWER: When I started along the anti-inflammatory path, I focused all of my research energy on “what” to take rather than spending time doing any sort of brand comparisons.
For instance, when I first learned about the benefits of curcumin, I started taking whatever brand the health food store happened to have. If they had several brands, I would choose one at random (probably based solely on the packaging).
I now know that curcumin, because of the difficulty our bodies have to absorb its beneficial elements, varies a great deal from brand to brand. In fact, there are now companies producing a “super absorbent” curcumin, that I wish I had known about when I started out.
As far as the dosage goes, I suggest that you always start with the recommended dosage stated on the label. After awhile, when you become more in tune with your body, you can add or subtract as you feel is necessary.
Also, it’s important to keep in mind, that you don’t have to take the exact supplements or herbs that I recommend on my website. ANYTHING that helps fight inflammation is highly recommended. There are many new herbs and supplements I’ve discovered along that way that I wish I’d known about. I would have added some of them into my daily intake.
For instance, I would have definitely taken Systemic Enzymes if I had known about them. Later in my recovery I started taking another powerful anti-inflammatory called astaxanthin. There are many other anti-inflammatory herbs and supplements on the market that can help you.
I highly recommend that you go “outside the box” and try a variety of anti-inflammatory supplements and herbs – ones that feel right for you. Create your own personal cure.
QUESTION TWO: “How long will it take before my legs start feeling better?”
ANSWER: There is no standard recovery time. Recovery is something that is unique to each individual based on a massive list of factors including lifestyle, diet, size, stress level, genetics, environmental issues, alcohol intake, prescription drugs being taken etc.
QUESTION THREE: “I have very extreme RLS and am beyond repair.”
ANSWER: I guess this is not really a question, it’s more of a statement, but one I hear over and over again.
Sure, we’d all like to have the worst case of RLS in the history of the world. If you’re going to have it, you may as well be all alone on the top of the mountain.
However, the true nature of the “disease” never changes … no matter how much worse you think yours is compared to everyone else, it all comes down to this simple formula:
LESS INFLAMMATION = LESS RESTLESS LEGS
The key to success, as I’ve eluded to in Question Two, is to determine WHAT is causing the inflammation in your body, especially your legs. In other words, what is going on in your life or diet that is causing cell damage?
So, no one is ever beyond repair as long as you’re willing to put in the work.
To find out what is causing the inflammation in your body takes a lot of experimentation. Yes, there are many obvious foods and beverages that have to be eliminated, including coffee, alcohol, sugar, excessive salt, and many other goodies … but for some cases it goes even beyond this.
Maybe you’re like me, and dairy doesn’t agree with your body. Perhaps rice, eggs or pasta. Maybe it’s strawberries?
All of us that have RLS, whether mild, or extreme, have to find out through our own personal life experiment, what agrees with our body and what doesn’t.
As you’re able to discover this, your RLS will lessen. It’s basic physiology and the bottom line is never going to change, and is worth repeating.
I finally created the pages on the RLcure.com website that features data from scientific studies showing that most of the most notable medical conditions are strongly linked to inflammation.
There is also data from scientific studies showing that the following inflammatory conditions feature a significantly higher prevalence rate of Restless Legs Syndrome.
It includes results from scientific studies that show that pregnant women and the elderly population (two demographics that display a higher than normal amount of inflammation) also feature a higher rate of RLS. http://www.rlcure.com/linked.html
The most common complaint I’ve received from people since I started my website An Absolute Cure for RLS www.RLcure.com is that I have no right calling my remedy an “absolute” cure.
I’ve debated changing it, but I still believe with every fiber of my being that inflammation is the primary cause of RLS, and if you get rid of your inflammation, you’ll get rid of your RLS.
So, I’m keeping the word ABSOLUTE in the title because technically, it is an ABSOLUTE cure. This is based on the premise that if you change your diet and take the inflammation fighting minerals, herbs and supplements that I recommend (or any ones you choose to take on your own) you WILL eventually become free of your RLS.
The problem is that there is no set way to relieve the inflammation that is causing your discomfort. You can deal with the bulk of the inflammation by taking the recommended supplements and avoiding the obvious harmful foods. The difficulty is finding out which are the harmful foods that are unique to your system.
The plan that I’ve laid out should take care of 80% to 90% of your problem. After that it becomes a very personalized program, as each person has to find out how to deal with the remaining 10-20%.
For some people the remaining irritation may be caused by tomatoes, for others it may be bananas, for many, it may be the medication you’re on.
Finding out what is prolonging your RLS and induces an inflammatory reaction in your body is all part of the great experiment that you must be a part of.
I was tremendously grateful when I pulled out of my RLS horror. The hopelessness I suffered for so long was behind me. To escape the grip of RLS, I took my herbs, vitamins and supplements religiously every day. I was also forced to changed my diet in a huge way.
Still, even a couple years after starting my new regiment, sometimes my legs would flair up. I’d sneak in some chocolate cake and ice cream, or a big plate of pasta, or a bowl of chips and a few diet cokes, and that would often result in some twitching.
It was frustrating, and I would react, but when I settled myself down I realized that yes my legs were twitching, but realistically, my RLS was still 90% better than it was before. This more realistic outlook helped me to deal with these minor incidents.
Still, I couldn’t help wondering why these foods were still causing a bit of twitching? Shouldn’t all the inflammation be gone by now? After a couple years of carefully watching my diet, and continuing my daily intake of inflammation-fighting herbs, minerals and supplements, why were my legs still reacting?
Then one day, while visiting the Self Nutrition Datawebsite, I decided to check out the inflammation rating for two of my breakfast staples, orange juice and peanut butter.
I was surprised to see that both were negatives. Orange Juice was a -25 and my natural peanut butter was -18. I LOVE peanut butter and orange juice. They were an integral part of my happy breakfast.
I did some more research and tried to find another type of juice that had a positive inflammation rating. The good news … and the bad news, is that the answer was carrot juice, with an incredible inflammation rating of +424 per cup!
Carrot juice? My whole life I would cringe whenever someone even mentioned carrot juice (usually it was someone that had just bought their first juicer and was trying to convert me). The idea of someone drinking carrot juice gave me the willies. It was a drink for old hippies and creepy health nuts. Keep away from me you freaks!
But +424. That’s absolutely amazing!! How can I not at least try it out.
So, I bought a bottle of pure carrot juice and when I got home I tried it out.
It wasn’t an exciting experience, but the main thing is, it wasn’t a repulsive experience. It tasted exactly like carrots, but just in a form that I’d never experienced before. Gulping down liquid carrots was a little weird at first, but I’m now used to it, and don’t mind carrot juice at all.
Every day I drink a few ounces at breakfast, lunch and supper. Since I started doing that, my legs and my sleeping have never been better.
At the same time I did the research into the carrot juice, I searched for a replacement for peanut butter. I checked out a lot of websites, and it was unanimous that almonds were the best anti-inflammatory nut.
I like almonds, but not nearly as much as I like peanuts or peanut butter. But for the sake of trying to rid myself of that last bit of inflammation, I was willing to make yet another painful dietary sacrifice, and replaced my morning dose of peanut butter with almond butter. I also include a handful of almonds with my breakfast and supper.
Since removing the negative effect that orange juice and peanut butter were having on my body, and replacing them with the positive effect of carrot juice and almond butter & almonds, I have never felt better, and my RLS is completely gone. Even when I stray from my diet and load up on pizza and diet coke, my legs remain fine.
The formula for success is simple.
Zero Inflammation = Zero RLS.
By following this formula, there is a unique, but absolute solution for every individual. It comes down to you asking yourself “what am I willing to consume to rid my body of inflammation … and what am I willing to give up?”
If a fire breaks out in your kitchen, the first thing you need to do in order to save your house, is to put the fire out.
It’s pretty basic logic. You can worry about the smoke damage, your melted toaster, the ruined curtains and whether or not your insurance covers the damage … after the fact.
But until you put that fire out, nothing else matters.
You must take the same approach when taking on your RLS. You must first PUT OUT the fire that is causing your restless legs.
Nothing else matters. You can switch medications all you want, philosophize about why your legs are rustling … and why only at night, read articles on how RLS is kind of like Parkinson’s Disease, and how it’s kind of like Crohn’s Disease, post on RLS discussion boards about your dismal side effects and how profound your RLS is compared to other people’s … but until you shift your WILL, and make a CONSCIOUS decision to PUT OUT the fire that is causing your pain … nothing is going to change.
We put out the fire by taking natural anti-inflammatories – as MANY of those from this remedy that you are able to take.
Look at each anti-inflammatory as a different firefighter with a firehose. The best way you can attack the inflammation is from all angles with as many firefighters as you can round up. This will speed up the healing process immeasurably.
Again, it’s crucial … absolutely essential that you begin to watch your diet. You need to at least pull back a bit from your regular intake of the most common RLS antagonists (caffeine, gluten, aspartame, sugar, salt, MSG and alcohol).
Taking the natural anti-inflammatories while you continue to consume a diet FULL of RLS antagonists, is like spraying 3 hoses of water on the kitchen fire, and 2 hoses of gasoline.
A little progress will be made, but the healing will not be as nearly as quick and effective as it could be.
For free information about the cause and cure for Restless Legs Syndrome visit www.RLcure.com This remedy for RLS is completely natural and features NO side effects.
There are 4 steps to becoming totally free of your Restless Legs Syndrome.
STEP 1. Stop the Spreading Inflammation in its Tracks
For this you can take natural anti-inflammatories like Curcumin, Cayenne, Ginger Root, St. John’s Wort, Skullcap, Devil’s Claw, Licorice Root DGL and Omega 3.
STEP 2. Encourage the Repair/Replacement of your Damaged Cells
Calcium/Magnesium, Zinc, Potassium and Iron will take care of this for you.
STEP 3. Encourage the Healing/Repair of your Nervous System
Take Vitamin b12, Lecithin and a homeopathic tissue salt called Kali Phos. The Omega 3 and St. John’s Wort will also be helping out in this area.
STEP 4. Prevent Inflammation from reoccurring
A personalized combination of the above supplements PLUS a healthy diet.
Here’s your daily intake of vitamins, herbs and minerals.
Iron: Take one capsule in the morning on an empty stomach. Experiment and research to find the appropriate amount for you.
Magnesium
Spread your intake throughout the day (include one tablet before bed). Experiment/research to find the appropriate amount for you. I use a high quality Calcium/Magnesium supplement (the cheaper Cal/Mag products have less absorption and are therefore less effective).
Once you’re feeling better, you can eliminate many of the above supplements from your daily intake. I strongly suggest that you take as many as you can to start. It will kickstart your healing process into high gear.
You’ll have to do some research in regard to the amount of iron and cal/mag you should take. Even if you iron measures normal, I suggest that you take a capsule each morning. My iron measured normal when I was tested so I didn’t include it in my original daily intake.
It was several months into my recovery and I was 90% better … but was having trouble eliminating that last 10%. Adding iron to my intake, and purchasing a higher quality of Cal/Mag totally cleaned up that last 10%. I don’t even have as much as a distant twinge anymore.
Of course, if you are pregnant, have any concerns, or are taking pharmaceuticals of any kind … please make sure to consult your pharmacist to see if there are any possible conflicts that you should be aware of.
You can find out details about how each of the above vitamins, minerals and herbs are involved with the healing of Restless Legs Syndrome at http://www.rlcure.com/daily.html
For free information about the cause and cure for Restless Legs Syndrome visit www.RLcure.com This remedy for RLS is completely natural and features NO side effects.
The first thing you need to know about me is that I suffered from Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) for over 20 years. The last several years were very intense.
The reason this is of any significance to any of you is because I actually found a cure for my RLS.
Not only was I excited to finally have a pair of healthy legs, I also thought for sure that my ship had come in, and that this was going to be my ticket to prosperity.
I compiled all the components of the remedy, along with what I learned along the way and created a book called “An Absolute Cure for Restless Legs Syndrome.”
My book was finished, my legs felt great, all I needed to do was sit back and count the barrels full of money as they rolled up to my door.
The only thing that rolled up to my door was a big bag of poop with a message on it … “Go Away!’
Little did I know that there were a thousand charlatans out there trying to slag off secret cures and stretchy socks in an attempt to tap into this multimillion dollar market. In the eyes of anyone that visited my website, I was just another garden variety nut trying to make a buck.
Much to my dismay, no ship was coming in. I found out the hard truth, that the majority of the RLS sufferers had no intention of getting better. Whining to each other about the drugs they were taking was about as much effort as they were willing to put into their recovery. Their RLS was so terrible, that the idea that a few herbs, minerals and vitamins would clear it up was laughable.
So, I switched to Plan B. That was the plan where I give away my remedy, and then when the person gets better, they pay for the book.
It sounded like a pretty good plan in my head, but it tanked as badly as Plan A.
I did a lot of follow-up calls to people who had purchased a free copy to see how they were making out. The common response was “I haven’t got around to it yet.”
I was beginning to see a pattern. Change is alway a bit scary for anyone. However, the fear of change for RLS sufferers appears to be extra intense.
I experienced the kind of resistance you would expect from your bi-polar friend when you told them that placebos are just as effective as antidepressants. It makes them angry … angry because they’re afraid. Angry because they trust their doctor, and their doctor tells them that there are no other options.
I raised the white flag and put Plan C into effect. Just put it all out there for free. That’s what Jesus would have done.
At least this way I could feel good about helping people and could try to convince myself that this was my Soul’s purpose in life.
I went to the various RLS discussion boards and posted my breakthrough remedy. That didn’t work either.
I found out that there are a lot of extremist type RLS sufferers really don’t want to get better. They put most of their energy into reinforcing the idea that there is no cure … certainly nothing natural.
I banged my head against that wall for awhile, and then moved on.
This blog is part of Plan D. Just talk about what I’ve learned, without the fear of being censored, or removed … and allow those that are willing to get better, to give this natural remedy a try.
For free information about the cause and cure for Restless Legs Syndrome visit www.RLcure.com This remedy for RLS is completely natural and features NO side effects.
Role of Iron in RLS
patients who poshumously donate their brains for study. Studies on these tissues have shown markedly diminished iron and iron storage protein in the substantia nigra, consistent with iron insufficiency in the dopamine cells. Overall the studies support the concept of iron dysregulation in brains of patients with RLS, particularly in dopamine-producing cells.
Although cerebrospinal fluid is a crude method for assessing the dopamine system in the brain, data from CSF indicated possible increase in brain dopamine production. Imaging studies using special radioactive chemicals have found reduced receptor and transporter function in the brain of more severely affected RLS patients.
The Restless Legs Blog (or how I tried to convince Big Pharma that my legs are better) 