Glutathione for RLS

[Albymom]

I have had RLS since puberty. The symptoms have worsened over the years and now I have nondiabetic neuropathy and a bunion in my right foot. I am taking warm baths, oral magnesium (Mg taurate125mg twice daily and Mg glycinate 120mg at supper) as well as the Patch MD Iron Plus topical patch (45mg iron bisglycinate) daily. I was not able to tolerate the oral iron bisglycinate

I live in the US and read a post in the Nightwalkers RLS magazine this month from someone who had great results taking a product called MaxGXL. He said that his RLS stopped, he had more energy and decreased brain fog. He switched to a less expensive product called OGF (Original Glutathione Formula) with even better results.

I also have an autoimmune disease which makes me allergic to a lot of supplements/medications. I decided to try a liquid Glutathione product (Pure Absorb Setria Liposomal Glutathione) so that I could take a greatly reduced dose and check for reactions. The regular dose is 20 drops, so I started out with 5 drops. I have only been taking the drops for two weeks now but my RLS seems to be improving. Glutathione is a master antioxidant which may help reduce inflammation. Perhaps it may help with RLS due to less inflammation.

Has anyone taken glutathione for RLS?

[LotteM]

Well, recently someone posted about NAC (N-acetyl-L-cysteine). NAC is a precursor to glutathion and supposed to get easily absorbed too. Don't remember who it was. Anyway, about supplementation along the same lines. And with positive reports too. Hope he/she reports back.

I sure hope it continues to work out well for you, Albymom!

[LotteM]

Found him! DicCarlson.

[DicCarlson]

I commend you! You are certainly taking the FULL range or natural supplements over parma solutions. Do keep us updated!

Well - now you've opened a new "can of worms" with Glutathione! My original information about NAC (N-Acetyl-Cysteine) came from a post on Phoenix Rising. "Five Ways To Reduce "Wired But Tired" Hyperaroused Brain State". This article was aimed at reducing Glutamate - the excited neurotransmitter over GABA the relaxing neurotransmitter. All this to treat my RLS insomnia. Apparently Glutathione can't be taken as a supplement (won't make it through the digestive tract) - even intravenous it has a very short life. I do take NAC Sustain by Yarrow - but I am rethinking it after reading this article. I am more interested in VERY simple ways to defeat this - more natural foods, and huge increase in good quality hydration, some with Celtic sea salt. blog.radiantlifecatalog.com...

[DicCarlson in reply to DicCarlson]

Another good discussion on Glutathione...

immune-health-solutions-for...

[KellyDBrille in reply to DicCarlson]

I'm not sure where these rumors come from that say supplemental glutathione isn't absorbed well. Here's a study (one of many) that suggest otherwise:

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

Thorne, Now, Life Extension and many other reputable companies sell oral glutathione.

[Albymom]

LotteM and DicCarlson,

Thanks for your replies!

I have read articles stating that oral Glutathione is not well absorbed by the GI tract and that you need to stop taking it for a few days per month to prevent your body from decreasing it's own production of Glutathione. I have reviewed the data in which Dr. Perlmutter used Glutathione intravenous infusions with dramatic improvement in his Parkinson's disease patients but the improvement only lasted a very short period of time.

I appreciate your link to the article on food sources of Glutathione! I do eat a largely vegetarian diet (about 25% raw and 75% cooked organic vegetables) to increase nutrient density. I follow an Autoimmune Paleo Low Histamine diet to reduce my body inflammation. I also use Celtic Sea salt. My hydration could be better but I do drink filtered water with the arsenic and fluoride removed.

I also am interested in simple ways to treat RLS symptoms. I have been involved with medical research studies to develop new drugs in the US for the past 20 years. I am well versed in side effects, risk ratios and poor outcomes. I have never taken any of the dopamine agonists or the newer Gabapentin/Pregabalin (Lyrica) drugs even though my doctors continue to offer them to me. My Relaxis pad help at times with RLS but does not provide a cure.

Hopefully we will have better options to treat RLS in the future. But for now, it is great that we have sites like this one to compare notes and offer suggestions.

[DicCarlson in reply to Albymom]

So how bad is your RLS? Mine was severe - since I had no idea what it even was - it took me weeks to figure it all out. Docs were no help at all. But, iron supplementation took all the RLS symptoms away leaving me with protracted insomnia. I now don't take any iron (latest level was 85), but I do take many supplements aimed at the insomnia. The cold processed Whey looks promising at increasing Glutathione.

[Albymom in reply to DicCarlson]

My RLS is cyclical. It is severe for months at a time, then I might have milder symptoms for a month. I also have Periodic Leg Movements and Sleep Apnea. My genetic testing has confirmed my increased risk for these conditions and my parents also experienced these problems. My serum ferritin is normal but I use the Iron Plus topical patch with my doctor's approval. Hopefully future research will find ways to increase the iron levels in our brain if this is proves to be a cause of RLS.

I cannot tolerate any processed foods so the Whey protein is not an option for me. I will try the NAC Sustain by Jarrow as you suggested in hopes of further increasing my body's production of Glutathione.

[BoldMove]

Will add it to my list when I order from Puritan Pride; almost their products are gluten free.

I also have non-diabetic neuropathy which is from my Celiac Disease.

[Tmj1955]

I am currently taking Mimi’s Glutathione Spray. (Amazon) I’ve been taking it off and on during my trials over this past year of which supplements work best for me. The last time I began taking it, I did see good results. Not sure why it didn’t seem to work to begin with, not sure why it made a difference this time. Maybe I was just so depleted in everything that it took a while for it all to gel. But, I am using it now (6 sprays sublingually 2x daily) and I’m having success in getting to sleep without my customary thrashing and pacing. It was the last thing I added, so I’m pretty sure that’s what made the difference. I am still going to try some additional supplements, as I know that the hydrocodone I take for chronic pain also helps some with the RLS. (I’ve been on it for a long time and really want to get off of it.) if you’re interested in all I take just let me know.