Probiotics for RLS

I am new to this site. I have suffered with RLS for many years. I won’t go on medication because the side effects could mess with my OCD. I read that taking a daily probiotic could help as a healthy gut is supposed to increase the dopamine in the brain which is essential to have for RLS.

I have been taking a probiotic for 2 wks but it’s early days.

Anyone else taking probiotics and if so how is it going?

[Hidden]

I can say that it seems a healthy gut could help with RLS.

Two possible reasons for that.

One being that is important for general health that essential nutrients are absorbed and anything that prevents absorption can cause problems.

Of particular importance for RLS is the absorption of sufficient iron and vitamin B12.

The other is that inflammation of the gut can be a factor in RLS. This also interferes with iron metabolism.

Probiotics, I believe help with both these. Be aware however, that they can be affected by other things.

One of the major causative factors in RLS is iron deficiency. I suggest a blood test for ferritin. If your ferritin is less than 75ug/L then an oral iron supplement could help.

If you're taking any other medications for any other condition these could be making your RLS worse. The main medications to be avoided if possible are antidepressants and sedating antihistamines.

I'm not sure that dopamine levels can be boosted by probiotics. Dopamine levels are also not the only factor in RLS anyway. The main factor is iron.

Probiotics may help then with RLS, but they're not the only thing you could do without resorting to medications.

[Joolsg]

I’ve taken probiotics (Symprove & VSL) & sadly did nothing for me BUT malabsorption in the gut is a common source of iron deficiency which causes RLS.

If you have low iron & malabsorption, taking probiotics may help. Otherwise it probably won’t make any difference.

[kicker2]

I am a new fan of Dr. Bulcweicz, "the gut doctor". He is a fan of PRE-biotics and not PRObiotics. And of eating plant diversity. I am hoping that as I heal my gut with prebiotics and plant diversity that my RLS improves. Too soon to report anything. (He has a lot of free Youtubes or you can buy his book, Fiber Fueled. )

[Guitarpickin in reply to kicker2]

Kicker2, please keep us posted. I hope the change in diet helps your RLS, but if nothing else, eating so healthy should help you feel better in other ways!