Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is a form of insomnia characterized by an overwhelming urge to move the legs when they are at rest, especially during sleep.  RLS affects about 10% of the people in the U.S.  It runs in families and may have a genetic component. Recent research has found that people with restless leg syndrome are deficient in the mineral magnesium.

According to the National Sleep Foundation, almost six out of ten Americans report having insomnia and sleep problems at least a few nights a week. Other types of insomnia include sleep apnea, which involves interrupted breathing and snoring during the night; narcolepsy – which causes people to fall asleep throughout the daytime; insomnia from hormone fluctuations such as with menstruation or menopause; and insomnia from the use of medications, caffeine or alcohol.

Those who have restless leg syndrome experience unpleasant sensations in the legs described as creeping, crawling, tingling, pulling, or painful.  These sensations usually occur in the calf area but may be felt anywhere from the thigh to the ankle.  People with RLS often experience chronic insomnia and sleeplessness due to the strong urge to walk or do other activities to relieve the sensations in their legs.

In a research report from the Romanian Journal of Neurology titled “Studies in Restless Legs Syndrome Caused by Magnesium Deficiency,” investigators conducted chemical and neurological tests in 10 cases of restless leg syndrome.  The researchers reported important disorders of sleep organization.  They found agitated sleep with frequent periods of nighttime awakenings.  Also observed was a decrease of the duration and percentage of the deeper rapid eye movement (REM) sleep — which is also found in other forms of insomnia caused by magnesium deficiency.

Another study from the Journal “Sleep” had similar results. The study was titled “Magnesium Therapy for Periodic Leg Movement – Related Insomnia and Restless Legs Syndrome: An Open Pilot Study”. Magnesium was administered orally in the evening over a period of 4-6 weeks. Following magnesium treatment, the leg movements associated with arousals decreased significantly.  In this study, the researchers concluded: “Our study indicates that magnesium treatment may be a useful alternative therapy in patients with mild or moderate restless leg syndrome or periodic leg movement related insomnia.”

According to the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture’s Human Nutrition Research Center in North Dakota, “Magnesium plays a key role in the body’s chemistry that regulates sleep. This may be why persons with long-term lack of sleep, or abnormal brain waves during deep sleep, often have low magnesium in their blood….Magnesium treatment increased deep sleep and improved brain waves during sleep in 12 elderly subjects. Magnesium treatment also decreased time to fall asleep and improved sleep quality of 11 alcoholic patients who often have a low magnesium status.”

Regarding the use of nutritional sleep remedies containing magnesium for relief of restless leg syndrome and other sleep problems, certain formulas are more effective than others.  The combination of minerals included and the presence of co-factors in the product are key.  Formulas should contain a 2 to 1 ratio of calcium to magnesium (twice as much calcium as magnesium).  The original research on this recommended ratio appeared in 1935 in the Journal of Physiological Reviews and is made on the basis of long-term metabolic studies of men and women.

One insomnia remedy showing good results is Sleep Minerals II, made by Nutrition Breakthroughs in Glendale, CA.  This natural sleep remedy contains highly absorbable forms of calcium and magnesium, the best minerals for sleeplessness and insomnia, as well as for heart health, restless legs syndrome, bone strength, and menopause insomnia.  The formula also includes vitamin D and zinc and is delivered in a softgel form with healthy carrier oils, making it more quickly assimilated than tablets or capsules and providing a deeper, longer-lasting sleep. 

Sleep Minerals II has had beneficial results with relieving restless leg syndrome.  Anne B. of El Dorado Hills, California says: “We find the Sleep Minerals very helpful for my husbands restless leg syndrome. He does not do well on many medications and the drug that the doctor prescribed him for this condition was full of bad side effects. Out of pure desperation, I researched the Internet and found Sleep Minerals II. Bob is sleeping much better now and with very little, if any, movement in his legs.”

Kimberly B. of Troy Michigan says: “I have been taking Sleep Minerals II for about a month now.  I have tried everything out there and this supplement is amazing.  I have suffered with insomnia and restless legs for two and a half years.  I’ve had restless leg syndrome my entire life and this is the first relief I’ve ever had…it’s gone for a month now.”

Many people suffer from restless leg syndrome and some sources have called it an incurable disease.  Regular use of the right kind of mineral supplement just might provide the needed relief.

For more information on Sleep Minerals II click here