“That is exactly why almost any doctor you see prescribes dopamine-stimulating drugs for restless legs.But this logic is flawed, and even they know this. Here’s why.The biggest problem with restless legs is the bulk of your receptors that are SUPPOSED to receive dopamine aren’t receiving it. [2] Restless Legs, Insomnia And Brain Chemistry: A Tangled Mystery Solved? Allen, Ph.D. 2013What these drugs will do is temporarily stimulate the receptors that ARE working, to work even harder. Until they eventually burn out.It’s kind of like replacing sleep with more caffeine. It may work for a while but you’re not fixing the root cause. So the real question becomes, why exactly aren’t dopamine-receptors functioning properly in those with restless legs?And recently, experts have discovered a very important clue – a severe lack of iron in the brains of over 85% of restless legs patients studied. [3] Causes of Restless Legs. Role of Iron in Restless Legs; Earley, Ph.D. 2018And iron is absolutely critical for the proper functioning of dopamine-receptors.”
Iron levels are likely fine. Problem is with iron metabolism.
I’m no longer a proponent of dopamine agonists. I think they are akin to flogging a tired old horse. I believe that Azilect, an MAOB inhibitor that increases available dopamine might be a cause of my having RLS.
brain?“Inflammation – The Connecting Factor in Almost Every Restless Legs Case…”3. How Inflammation is at the very Heart of Restless LegsRestless
Adequate iron in the blood does not mean adequate amounts in the brain. What keeps it from crossing the BBB? Inflammation. (But my inflammation markers came back low-ish. Odd)
(I no longer think MAOB inhibitors are Neuroprotective beyond the reduction in oxidative stress they cause. And there are many ways to reduce oxidative stress. And, I now think the dopamine agonists are prodding the tired dopamine receptors until they die instead of nurturing them back to health.)
In fact, the most recent studies from 2016 and 2017 have linked low-dopamine activity AND low-iron levels in the brain directly to long term inflammation in restless legs patients
(Maybe then the PWP who do not have RLS despite obviously having low levels of dopamine, have a functioning iron metabolism and therefore adequate iron in the brain whereas those with PD and RLS have dysfunctional iron metabolism and too little iron in their brain.)
According to this research, inflammation causes a chain of events to happen in the body which first leads to poor iron metabolism and eventually, a malfunction of dopamine receptors in restless leg patients
!!! Note: inflammation causes a malfunction of dopamine receptors
During inflammation, your body releases immune cells called cytokines, which act like an army of troops for your immune system.And for reasons still unknown to scientists, these cytokine cells shut down something critical for allowing iron into the brain. [11] Restless legs. Theoretical roles of inflammatory and immune mechanisms; L. Weinstock, A. Walters. 2011It’s an iron-transporter called ferroportin.Ferroportin is critical, because it’s only job is to allow iron into your brain.But since most people with restless legs have constant, low-grade inflammation, this precious ferroportin becomes scarce over time.And the iron in your blood becomes stranded, unable to get to your brain
(Cytokine storm due to inflammation causes the iron-transporter ferroportin to malfunction. Ferroportin is the iron transporter that enables iron to cross the BBB. )
Because of this constant state of inflammation, other immune cells are being released, which can alter the ability for dopamine-receptors to function.
!!! Immune cells alter the ability for dopamine receptors to function. Autoimmunity!
In fact, Michael Treadway, professor in Emory’s Department of Psychology, sums up the critical link between inflammation and dopamine by saying if your brain is overrun with inflammation, it simply can’t be calm.The body redirects its energy from producing “feel good” chemicals and instead makes immune and inflammatory chemicals, in order to fight more effectively.When your body is constantly inflamed, all of your extra energy is being used up by your immune system.This is because when your body is stuck in an un-ending loop of inflammation, there aren’t many resources for doing much else.And, as is the case for so many restless legs sufferers, their immune system never shuts off. It’s on “red alert” every second of the day.
Note: IF YOUR BRAIN IS OVERRUN WITH INFLAMMATION IT SIMPLY CANT BE CALM
!!!strain Lactobacillus plantarum 299 improves iron transport to the brain.
helpers. The probiotic strain Lactobacillus plantarum 299, is especially efficient at breaking down iron so that can cross the blood-brain barrier – where it’s really needed
Magnesium Malate – “A Spring Cleaning” for Your Dopamine Receptors 😍
MAGNESIUM MALATE Once it gets absorbed, it magnetically binds with aluminum and other toxins that clog dopamine receptor sites, safely flushing these toxins from the body. [16] The Role of Magnesium in Neurological Disorders; A. Kirkland, G. Sarlo. 2018And
Magnesium Malate 😍
There is no other compound in the world which provides more inflammation reducing effects per ounce than curcumin.Curcumin is the active and beneficial ingredient found in the ancient herb Turmeric. It is quite literally one of the longest-used and most powerful, natural anti-inflammatory agents in the world.
