DIYHealth & Medicine

Necessity of Magnesium for Restless Legs: A Brief Discussion

Do you sometimes feel an uncontrollable urge to move your legs? Does it happen along with throbbing, pain, and other unpleasant sensations? It can be Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) – a neural disorder that causes an overwhelming urge to move your legs.

These symptoms often increase when the affected person isn’t showing any activity – for example, resting, sitting, or lying down. People with RLS also suffer from sleep disturbance – which can worsen performance and mood.

Magnesium is a naturally occurring mineral required for proper body functioning and regulating different biochemical reactions. This mineral is responsible for proper muscle and nerve function and a healthy immune system. Magnesium deficiency causes problems in the conduction of nerve impulses, which causes muscle cramps and contraction.

So, would you need magnesium for restless legs? Read on to find out.

Is magnesium deficiency the cause of RLS? 

Some early reports suggest that certain RLS cases may be caused by magnesium deficiency, which is reduced when the patient consumes magnesium supplements. Magnesium supplements are sometimes used as an alternative or natural remedy for RLs, especially if the cause is a deficiency of this mineral.

According to researchers, Magnesium For Restless Legs has the following pathway. Magnesium eases muscles to relax – probably because of its calcium-blocking power. Calcium activates nerves, so magnesium replaces calcium, reduces muscle activation, and soothes the nerves. Lower magnesium levels cause less calcium blocking, making the nerves overactive and causing muscle contraction.

Moreover, an older study found that magnesium treatments provided relief as a substitute therapy for patients with mild or moderate RLS. Another study reported that magnesium could improve insomnia caused by RLS.

However, contradictory reports are also available. Your best action is to consult your physician and take magnesium supplements from trusted online shops like Harrogate Organics.

RLS treatment: magnesium forms and doses

One can find magnesium in diverse forms and doses in various online shops. Still, to get the highest-quality magnesium product for restless legs treatment, one should buy it from trusted online shops. Magnesium oxide is the most commonly acquired form, and adolescent or adult males and females should consume it in daily doses of 270 – 350 mg (usually through oral supplements). It would help if you talked with your physician about the proper dose for you and how to take it.

Magnesium is also available in foods, and most doctors prefer to increase magnesium intake through their patients’ diets. Here are some foods which contain magnesium in high amounts:

  • Specific fishes (like Mackerel and tuna).
  • Dark green vegetables like spinach, kale, and chard.
  • Some seeds and nuts – including pumpkin and squash seeds.
  • Avocados
  • Bananas
  • Low-fat and non-fat dairy, including yoghurt.
  • Beans and lentils

If you cannot cook or obtain these foods, you can get magnesium in spray or tablet form in the most recommended online shop’s product list.

Other treatments for RLS

Besides using magnesium for restless legs, several natural and substitution treatments can relieve pain. Some of these treatment include:

  • Getting deep-tissue messages
  • Engaging in moderate exercise or other activities can reduce symptoms of RLS.
  • Taking a warm bath (it is known to relax muscles)
  • Avoiding coffee or caffeine-related products (which can activate RLS symptoms and reduce magnesium in the body).
  • Establishing a timely and systematic sleep routine.
  • Stress is known to increase the intensity of RLS. Some physicians utilize relaxation techniques like meditation to reduce stress and lessen RLS symptoms.

Relatedly, RLS is conventionally treated with different medicines to subside its symptoms. Some of these medications include:

  • Muscle relaxants
  • Opioids
  • Medicines that increase brain dopamine levels and reduce motion in the limbs.
  • General sleep medications, which reduce RLS-caused insomnia.

However, the above medications don’t treat RLS at the root level; they subside the symptoms. Some may also give rise to addictions (for example, opioids or specific sleep medications). Moreover, the patient may resist dopamine-increasing medicines that work on the brain. It is best to consult your doctor and take the highest-quality magnesium from the most discussed online shop for restless legs.

Are there any side effects of using magnesium for restless legs?

Using magnesium for restless legs excessively or for a long time can create several side effects as follows:

  • Nausea
  • Stomach upset (it is the commonest side effect).
  • Diarrhoea
  • Vomiting
  • Abdominal cramps

Usually, these effects stop after the magnesium dose is lessened. However, one shouldn’t consume high amounts of magnesium without medical supervision – as it can create the element’s build-up and cause the following severe side effects:

  • Confusion
  • Arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat)
  • Low blood pressure
  • Reduced breathing rate.
  • It can result in coma or death in serious cases.

In conclusion

There are contradictory pieces of literature about the utility of prescribing magnesium for restless legs. Moreover, indiscriminate use of magnesium can result in severe consequences. Therefore, a patient should consult their physician and get the best options for RLS treatment.

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