There is a link between Celiac's Disease and RLS. Most Celiac's have iron deficiencies, and inherent issues with malabsorption. I had RLS for a while, and noticed I could sleep if I had taken an anti-inflammatory pill. It appears that RLS is due to some sort inflammation, so strict Paleo Diet should ameliorate his symptoms.

If you have noticed him having chronic fatigue as well, I would suggest: testing him for Celiac's Disease have his ferritin stores checked follow the Paleo Diet for leaky-gut and autoimmune diseases.

Some doctors (sadly) do not check for the ferritin stores, or for Celiac's Disease unless you specifically ask for it. This was my case back home in Kansas City. Good luck!

-KP

Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to RLS, as well as a host of other problems. Personally, I had suffered from RLS for years. About a year and a half ago, I removed gluten from my diet and started supplementing with Vitamin D3. I was terribly deficient (32) and my doctor recommended 10,000 IU per day until my levels came up over the next year (70). I could tell an improvement in RLS, migraines, body aches, joint pain, and energy within just a few weeks. Other friends of mine have also noticed a big change in their RLS with Vit D3 and the gluten free diet.

PS. Do not take GABA in the evening. Nighttime doses make my RLS return until it wears off.

article linking RLS and celiac (iron and other vitamin deficiencies are common with celiac)

http://www.celiac.com/articles/22091/1/Restless-Leg-Syndrome-Common-in-Adults-with-Celiac-Disease/Page1.html

The Paleo diet does not contain gluten, but it is not gluten-free.

anemia is probably the most common cause of RLS. DO NOT supplement w/o a lab result since too much iron can cause serious problems.

you could do some paleo supplementing w raw beef (raw jerky's good) and don't forget to use something w vitamin C....lemon, lime, orange, etc. as well.

RLS syndrome is a sleep disorder.....and its tied to metabolism by the several factors. Fixing the leaky gut is critical. First screening sign is a lower than normal HDL and chronically elevated cortisol that is often out of synch with circadian rhythms.

Iron!

I went to a sleep dr recently (a neurologist, actually), for suspicion of sleep apnea. I also mentioned to him that 1-2 times a month, I get restless legs.

From his note:

"Patient did have mild symptoms of restless leg syndrome occurring several times per month. While this did not appear to be problematic, followup serum testing for ferritin levels would be reasonable. If her ferritin levels are less than 50 she may respond well to supplemental iron."

Good luck!

My doctor also mentioned that low iron can be a problem. Also, is your husband taking any allergy meds? When I was taking Claritin some years ago, I wore holes in 2 bottom sheets from the RLS. (Talk about miserable!) I didn't make the connection for a while, then on a hunch, googled RLS & allergy medications. Sure enough, it got much better when I quit taking the meds.

I've had occasional bouts of RLS my whole life, but every time I hear an ad for the prescription drugs for it, and their warnings about "any unusual sexual or gambling urges", I'm more convinced that I can live with the RLS!

If you are having RLS i.e. the jimmy legs, "hot legs", and swelling or warmth is present, it doesn't have to be a lot of swelling, there is a good chance your not getting enough sodium. If I get the jimmy legs at night I automatically drink about 500ml of water with a 1/2 to 1 TEAspoon of sea salt (sometimes I drink it all sometime about half I just drink to "feel"), the symptoms go away fairly quickly. More than likely unless your very active I highly doubt it is a iron deficiency. I've had an iron deficiency before during very heavy training and the symptoms of that don't remind me of the jimmy legs at all. Try the salt you might be surprised.

If you are concerned about iron deficiency you should also try eating red meat separate from things like milk and eggs which can inhibit absorption. Things like orange juice will enhance absorption. Don't know for sure if this is common knowledge in the paleo world but these details are very well known in the elite running.

i would try magnesium. work up to 400-600mg a day of mag citrate.

Iron is the first thing to try, assuming you are a pre-menopausal women. If you are not such a woman, I would be cautious with iron. Magnesium and certain B vitamins also seem to be related to RLS.

Get a calcium magnesium potassium supplement. I have one from blue bonnet. 2 in the morning and 2 at night has cured my really night time calf cramps 100%

this http://mangans.blogspot.com/2009/05/niacin-for-restless-legs.html

jem is correct. DO NOT supplement with iron until you have had a blood test to confirm an iron deficiency. I have battled iron deficiency for almost two years, and because oral iron can be very difficult to digest, I have resorted a couple of times to iron injections. It's not a great process but not terrible. It is relatively expensive, even with good insurance (if such a thing exists).

I have not been diagnosed as having RLS, but do experience a burning in my legs that I have always attributed to possible overtraining in the gym. It doesn't really bother me at night, except I will often wake up with knee pain. I have found if I sleep with very straight legs and not curled up in a ball, things feel better in the morning. I haven't gone back for a blood test in about 6 months but have one planned soon. My stomach issues are improving on a paleo diet, so I expect my iron levels to be recovering as well. That said, I still have "hot legs" quite often.

Very interested in this post. Thanks.

I've had RLS and teeth grinding for all my life. I'm not sure that Paleo has really improved my symptoms. All my research has suggested that it is neurological but is made worse if you have deficiencies or use certain medications (allergy medications). I'm sure that maintaining a healthy diet and continuing to regularly exercise is still better than trying some chronic medication to cover up the symptoms.

If it does turn out you are deficient look into "Bob's Iron Formula", I think you can probably get your pharmacy to order it if they don't already have it. My mom and myself had to use it on and off, and it was the only iron supplement that caused absolutely no stomach pain. It's a good one.