Mailbag: Restless Legs Ruining Your Sleep? Try THIS

What can I do to help my restless legs? They bother me in the daytime if I sit down for a while, but some nights, it keeps me up all night.

– Looking for a Leg Up on Sleep

Hi Leg Up,

Few things are more frustrating than being nestled all snug in your bed, waiting for visions of sugarplums to dance in your head, only to be interrupted by legs that won’t lie still.

Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) can really ruin your sleep. Fortunately, several natural remedies can help ease those symptoms.

When my patients come to me complaining about restless legs, I typically offer them some natural solutions to try first…

Magnesium supplements: Magnesium is crucial for muscle and nerve function. A deficiency can contribute to RLS symptoms. Magnesium-rich foods include lean meats, poultry, eggs, seafood, beans, peas, lentils, almonds, cashews, avocados, and spinach. Supplements are also available.

Iron: Low iron levels are associated with RLS. Increasing iron intake may ease the uncontrollable urge to move your legs if you’re iron deficient. Iron-rich foods include liver, red meat, and shellfish, like clams, oysters, and mussels. Iron supplements are also available but always check with your doctor before taking one.

Herbal remedies: In some cases, herbs, such as valerian root, horse chestnut, and Gingko Biloba, can relieve restless legs. Valerian also has mild sedative properties that may help with sleep.

Essential oils: When used topically (diluted in a carrier oil), calming essential oils such as lavender can help relax muscles and relieve restless legs so you can sleep.

Lifestyle modifications: Switching up some things in your daily routine could help keep your legs quiet longer.

  1. Regular exercise, particularly in the morning or afternoon
  2. Establishing a consistent sleep schedule
  3. Avoiding caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine, especially in the evening
  4. Practicing relaxation techniques like meditation or gentle yoga before bed

Hydrotherapy: Alternating between hot and cold water on the legs can help reduce symptoms. Try popping into a warm shower and finishing off with a cold rinse before bed.

Acupuncture: Some studies suggest acupuncture can provide relief from RLS symptoms.

Remember, what works for one person may not work for another. Also, finding the right combination of solutions to manage your symptoms may take some time.

On this Christmas Eve, I wish you a peaceful night’s sleep with calm, comfortable legs tonight and beyond.

P.S. The TRUE cost of daytime sleepiness is REVEALED!

Dr. Scott Olson, ND

Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND

Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.

View More Free Articles

Why Does Scratching Feel So Good… If It’s So Bad?

You know that feeling—you get an itch, and no matter how much you try to ignore it, it takes over your brain until you finally give in. You scratch… and for a blissful moment, relief washes over you. But then, BAM! The itch comes back, angrier than ever. Sound familiar? Turns out, there’s a scientific...

Read This

Break Free from Back Pain NATURALLY

“I’m having lower back pain on both my left and right side. They have tried steroid injections, physical therapy, and dry needle injections and nothing seems to work. Any ideas that you might suggest?” —Still Aching Dear Aching, It’s incredibly frustrating when conventional pain treatments don’t provide the relief you’re seeking. When my patients struggle...

Read This

This Afternoon Beverage Break SLASHES Diabetes Risk

If you’re like most folks (and certain newsletter-writing doctors), you probably reach for another cup of coffee when the afternoon slump hits. Well, new research suggests switching your afternoon beverage choice could do more than keep you alert… it could shield you from type 2 diabetes. In fact, this simple drink swap could slash your...

Read This

Nightly "Brainwashing" Protects Your Memory

Think skipping sleep is no big deal? Think again. Groundbreaking research reveals that deep sleep does more than just help you feel refreshed. Another CRITICAL memory-preserving process is taking place behind the scenes. But here’s the concerning part… If you’re taking a sleeping pill, you might be blocking this crucial step. Here’s what you need...

Read This

The “Harmless” Additive DESTROYS Your Brain

Ever wonder why ice cream stays creamy in the freezer? Or why peanut butter doesn’t separate? The answer is emulsifiers—common food additives that manufacturers love. However, new research suggests these “harmless” ingredients could be causing serious brain damage. And they’re hiding in more foods than you can imagine… A disturbing new study published in Brain,...

Read This

One Move Adds 5 YEARS to Your Life

Believe it or not, the fountain of youth might be closer than you think… A groundbreaking study reveals that a simple activity you’ve been doing since you were a toddler could add YEARS to your life. And the best part? It won’t cost you a dime… New research published in the British Journal of Sports...

Read This

Walking Trick Reveals Your Fitness Level

We count on doctors to tell us how healthy we are. They take our blood pressure, listen to our hearts, and send us out for blood work to get the answer. But there’s something else you can do anytime you want to know your fitness level: walk a mile. That’s right, this simple activity you...

Read This

This Diet Trick Could Protect Your Brain for LIFE

You know the saying, “You are what you eat”? Well, when it comes to your brain, it’s more accurate than you think… New research suggests that a Mediterranean diet—an ancient way of eating that prioritizes whole, nutrient-dense foods—may protect your brain’s white matter. And that’s a big deal because white matter is critical in keeping...

Read This

Mailbag: The REAL Reason You Can’t Lose Weight

“Why can’t I lose 10 pounds? I tried many versions of diets. Low Carb, intermittent fasting, etc.” Struggling to Slim Down Dear Struggling, Losing weight, especially when we’re past our 20s, can be frustrating. A muscle mass issue is most likely the culprit behind those struggles to slim down. You see, as we age, we...

Read This

Can Eating at the RIGHT Time Protect You from Diabetes?

When it comes to managing your health, when you eat may be just as important as what you eat. Now, a growing body of research shows that time-restricted eating (TRE), or intermittent fasting, may improve several markers of health… Particularly for people with metabolic syndrome. Before we dive into the benefits of time-restricted eating, let’s...

Read This