How to Use Diet to Manage Restless Leg Syndrome

While there is no cure for restless leg syndrome (RLS), a diet high in folate and other essential elements can help manage the symptoms. Obtaining relief from the symptoms is the focus of treatment, and that includes maintaining the proper diet.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Change your diet to include an increased amount of foods high in folate such as asparagus and spinach. Dark green leafy vegetables are known to have high folate content.
2. Diversify your breakfast menu with the use of whole wheat products and various breakfast cereals. Read the labels to find the one you like with the highest level of folate.
3. Increase your intake of eggs unless contraindicated due to other dietary concerns such as high cholesterol.
4. Know that liver is an excellent source of folate.
5. Eat small frequent meals. This keeps the nutrients flowing through your body at a more consistent level than by eating one large meal.
6. Include nuts, fish, fresh fruits, seed, whole grain and vegetables on a regular basis in your diet planning. Use foods that are fresh rather than processed when possible.
7. Stay away from refined flour, alcohol and sugar.
8. Include adequate amounts of calcium and essential vitamins such as B12 in your diet every day. Use supplements only if you're unable to consume these nutrients in the foods you eat.
9. Use healthy diet changes to lose extra pounds. Obesity is a major contributing factor in restless leg syndrome. Weight management is essential for obtaining favorable RLS symptom control.
10. Combine a healthy diet high in essential nutrients with a moderate level of exercise for the best results in managing restless leg syndrome.
11. Recognize the difference in dietary foods and natural supplements. Many alternative medicine proponents have a variety of natural foods and supplements. Always check with your healthcare provider before beginning any treatment.

Tips & Warnings

• Eating the wrong foods can be just as much a factor in restless leg syndrome symptoms as not including the right food products. Avoid sugars, caffeine and alcohol.
• Avoid eating foods late in the evening that have a tendency to cause bloating or stomach distress. This may have no affect on the RLS, but it can be a factor in additional sleep disturbance. Likewise, limit fluids prior to bedtime.
• For someone whose iron level is extremely low, a prescription iron supplement may be required to bring the level up.

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