Don't forget calcium.

[lauraflora]

I am mentioning again, as I have somewhere in the past on here, the helpfulness of calcium for RLS. It doe not take it away the fact that a person has RLW, but what it does is to calm the nerves themselves. (Magnesium also helps with this.) My chiropractor, as well as other sources, have recommended this.

One of the better types is calcium citrate, as it is easily absorbed, as compared to some of the other sources of calcium. I take @ 1,500 mg per day, divided up into two doses, as one's body can only handle lesser amounts at a time (I read.)

It seems to help by calming the nerves, so as to make them much less irritated, and thus, the RLS much less disturbing. Give it a try!

[Bajatom]

There are two problems with calcium supplements (and I take 300mg of a plant-based calcium). As a recent landmark study concluded, calcium supplements can lead to calcium plaques in coronary artery. The study concluded that we should get all our calcium from food. However, the research did not consider whether those taking supplements were also getting enough vitamins D3 & K2. Most docs have not even heard of K2 and it is deficient in Western diets. K plays a role in blood clotting as everyone knows. K2, found in fermented soy products and certain cheeses has a different role. Vitamin D3 allows calcium to pass through digestive canal into the blood. But K2 is necessary to direct calcium into bones and not into arterial plaques, especially coronary. Google Dr Dennis Goodman, cardiologist at NYU, for details on the research on K2. K2 is available is Natto, a smelly Japanese delicacy, or in supplements derived from Natto.

The second problem with calcium supplements is LEAD. As reported this week at nutritionfacts.org, tests by Consumers Lab showed almost all calcium supplements are high in heavy metals, especially lead.Dr. Greager suggests getting calcium from food, but if supplementation is necessary, chose one meeting California's prop 65 requirements, and tested by an independent 3rd party and certified lead free.

[lauraflora in reply to Bajatom]

Yes, I have heard of taking calcium with vitamin K2, and have used it myself. My issue is that sometimes when I post something on here, I get too carried away and add all sorts of info. (I have posted about taking calcium with K2 in the past, and why.) I guess I hope that people will look some things up for themselves, if pointed in a particular direction, and not just take my info as a prescription. I was trying to keep it short.

So, your info is very good and I hope that people on here will pay attention to what you have to say. I have also heard that K2 can be found in certain cheeses, like Gouda, I think, or maybe it was Brie. I hope it can be found in Kimchi, as I like that. I had actually stopped taking calcium for several months, until I got leg cramps, and some of my nerves in lower back and hips were irritated. Taking calcium again cleared that right up. So, I will rummage around in my drawer and pull out the K2 that I have. Being lactose intolerant, except for a bit of cheese, I think that a supplement is warranted. (Yes, I know also about green leafy veggies and love them, but it was not enough.)

As for lead, I will look into that also. It all gets complicated, doesn't it? Sometimes, you are damned if you do, and damned if you don't. But one thing I have not tried, nor am I inclined to do so, are the drugs I see here that many people have problems with. (I know some people benefit, but a lot have so many side effects.) I would rather take some risks with supplements than with drugs. But that is me. Others have their own take on this. We are all entitled to our own opinions.

Thanks for your post!

[lauraflora in reply to lauraflora]

Oh, and yes, I also know about the D3. In fact the calcium caps I take have D3 in them. And I take extra anyway based on more recent info about vitamin d.

[Jumpey in reply to lauraflora]

Can you get K2 as a stand alone supplement?x

[Kaarina Administrator in reply to Jumpey]

Hi Jumpey

I take K2. This is the one I use amazon.co.uk/Life-Extension... or I buy it direct from Life Extension

[BoldMove in reply to Bajatom]

Yes, I also get Dr. Greger's videos. Don't forget the importance of magnesium which is very calming.

[lauraflora in reply to BoldMove]

I also take magnesium, in the form of citrate. 400 to 600 mg each night.

[BoldMove in reply to lauraflora]

Yes, citrate also what I take - 600 in powder form.

[lee1983 in reply to BoldMove]

magnesium put me in the ER pulled of my potassium

[lauraflora in reply to lee1983]

Interesting! Just shows how we are different, and how some of this is actually scientific, and one does need to be careful. I myself will admit to not being so careful but to being more experimentive and a bit daring. However, on occasion I have run amuck. But that's all I am saying.

[BoldMove in reply to lee1983]

I eat a lot of potassium rich foods every day, and sometimes take a supplement. I also don't eat a lot of salt which throws potassium off

[Tmj1955]

I wish I could take Calcium. I am adept at producing calcium kidney stones so I’ve been told No Supplements!

I do drink almond milk, eat cheese and leafy greens - all of which are not supposed to be consumed by me either according to the multiple other diets I’m to follow for Gastroparesis, Factor5 Leiden, Hashimotos, Diabetes and it now looks like I have Celiac ....I eat all of it anyway and let the docs tweak the meds. The only issue I have is eating period with the Gastroparesis - I can’t eat a lot and it doesn’t all digest.

I do take scads of supplements. Magnesium, Potassium (mostly by coconut water), folate, B vitamins, Vit C, D3, l-theanine, l-tyrosine, glutathione, turmeric (curcumin), ALA, Co-q-10 (I can’t take Vit K because I take Coumadin - don’t know about Vit K2)...

I take a melatonin blend to help w sleep and I also am taking pain meds for an old neck injury. Sadly, I honestly think the pain med helps most to get me to sleep without movements. I wish it didn’t. I’d really like to get off of them.

[BoldMove in reply to Tmj1955]

I have latent Celiac. It did not come till later in life, somewhere in my 50s. I belong to several Celiac organizations and constantly read their medical updates. On one of the websites dedicated to Celiac I learned that latent Celiac has a neurological component often manifested as RLS. Confirm your celiac before getting off gluten. Then, learn how to remove gluten from every aspect of your life (very hard). Start at celiac.com and move onto other groups.

[lauraflora]

Two things: one man's food is another man's poison. And, it does get complicated, doesn't it? Sometimes I think "Just shoot me now!"