Acidophilus & RS

I was wondering about this supplement. As it is supoosed to help boost friendly gut bacteria and sometimes gut problems can cause RLS - think I have that right. I would welcome views on whether this might be helpful to take or if any research has been done regarding this suplement?

[Madlegs1]

Suck it and see.

Won't do any harm.

Let us know how it goes!😷

[Accipiter]

I recognise that most people just want answers to get some sleep, but you can get some benefit taking a big picture view and building your own personal profile of RLS to help experimenting.

Probiotics impact two major things. These are the microbiome and nutrient absorption. There isn’t anything really specific on RLS but you get these sorts of vagaries such as the microbiome in that ‘They influence memory, mood, and cognition and are clinically and therapeutically relevant to a range of disorders, including … restless legs syndrome.’

It is a long descending rabbit hole of research but the summary is possible nutrient deficiencies, excess absorption, such as oxalates, or the impacts of the microbiome on the brain. So probiotics and prebiotics, which are foods that promote certain bacteria, can have an impact. It could be a reason family members often share RLS, not to ignore genetics, as learned diet practices.

It also comes down to research focused on RLS as a neurological condition with the focus on dopamine, glutamate and brain iron. So you won’t find much on anything else in detail.

I tried probiotics and didn’t get a change, but they are good to try. RLS is called a syndrome because it appears to be a complex interplay without a simple answer. So results from probiotics alone is unlikely, but possible.

However you will find many posts of good results from a single supplement or diet change. A good piece of advice is to take the approach of a graduated view to treatment. This involves starting from the basic supplements, exercise, diets, physical treatments and then pharmaceuticals; in that order.

Of course this isn’t a once only opportunity with this approach, apart from augmentation, so these can be tried at any time. I know it is hard when sleep deprived and depressed from the condition to think clearly, but there can be a benefit to stop and clear the current perspective on RLS, and be open to different approaches.

[Joolsg]

It’s good for general health so why not? I took really good ( & expensive) Symprove (a probiotic) for 3 months and also started eating prebiotic foods. Sadly made no difference to my RLS but as WAAD it’s worth a try. I suspect if food triggers RLS for anyone then probiotics would help.

[Mum007]

Hi jools. Can I ask what you took symprove for specifically and whether it made any difference. I have gastritis, hiatal hernia, and think I’ve got IBS too. Was just wondering.

[Mum007]

I take 10 billion probiotics every day and they haven’t made a difference to RSL I’m afraid.

[Marlayna]

I have good news. About a month ago I started taking probiotic on empty stomach in the am, 500 mg niacin an hour after coffee on empty stomach, and a probiotic and 56 mg iron Glycinate at 7 or 8 pm. I had bad side effects experimenting with the regular RLS meds such as Lyrica and gabapentin so drugs aren’t the answer for me. Just in case, I asked for a Valium script. Well, in this entire month I’ve had one incident of RLS and the Valium promptly gave me peace. My iron was tested at 42 so I knew it was low. The vitamins and probiotics are working for me so far. Can’t believe I suffered all those years (and I had RLS in kegs shoulda and arms) and now I feel like a new woman.

[LanaCSR in reply to Marlayna]

Are you sure it wasn't thr Valium that is helping? It sounds like the Valium is what helped your RLS, not the other things.

[Amrob in reply to Marlayna]

Hi Marlayna, are the probiotics and niacin etc still working for you?

[Marlayna]

I took Valium once 5 mg during the month. So no, it’s the vitamins and probiotics for now.