RLS and Dairy

[Irishgirl58]

RLS is simple to get rid of. My sister and I have been suffering from RLS since we were 6 and 7 years old!!! I finally discovered in my mid 50's that the cause is diary. I eliminated dairy and RLS disappeared!!! I can eat Goat and Sheep cheese, milk etc. with no problems. The problem is cow diary. Sometimes I eat cow diary and bam! RLS is out of control about an hour later! The problem with cow dairy is that it contains a large amounts of a protein called Casein. Sheep and Goat dairy has very little, if any. Why this protein is a problem, is still a mystery. Check all food products. It is added to lots of boxed and canned food products. Just please, STAY AWAY FROM IT!!!!

[Madlegs1]

I wish it were as easy as that, my caileen!

I'm delighted for you and your sister, but many others have certainly not found that solution for their cases.

I sincerely hope you have continued success and a long life.

Slán.

[Nikos64]

Actually what Irishgirl58 is suggesting sounds quite plausible. Dairy products contain significant amounts of tyrosine which is a precursor to dopamine. I’m not a neurologist but maybe there’s something here. I for one will give it a try.

[Typicallygaslit in reply to Nikos64]

My somewhat reasonably educated guess is that it contains tons of tryptophan, which is the no 1 cause of problems for us usually. I also have problems with tyrosine but it’s harder to get from the food.

[ChrisColumbus]

Glad that this has helped you: diet changes or modifications of one kind or another certainly help some.

But others have tried e.g. vegan diets (or whatever has reportedly cured someone's RLS) to absolutely no effect.

Unfortunately for many RLS is not a simple problem with a one-size-fits-all solution. But great that you seem to have found your own trigger and a solution.

[Seaview20]

Thrilled you have found an answer to your RLS! However I have been dairy free for a while now to manage a cough reaction to dairy, 🤩 and my RLS is, if anything worse, it certainly has not brought any improvement.

[Mum007]

I am dairy free and gluten free and have been for years. I still get restless arms and legs. Glad it works for you though. If only it were that simple!

[txgoldenmom in reply to Mum007]

I’m in your group too Mum007. Each of us are different. We are not identical but May share several similar symptoms. That’s what makes medicine practice difficult. I’ve gone a step further with my restless legs and wake up contracted into a fetal position. This is very painful to straighten from. I’m gf and df since 2013, so just about 10 years. Gabapentin 300@2xdaily doesn’t help apparently. Anyone hear of symptom like that? 🤔

[Jumpey]

Delighted you have found relief.Eliminating dairy didn't help my RLS .

[Eryl]

There are many forms of casein. Being a long chain molecule it can have side chains positioned in many places along its length which can affect the way it reacts with out changing its chemical formula. One of these variations is called the A1 variant which is a variant produced by a gene present in fresian cows and most dairy cow herds have a certain ammount of fresian genes in most of the cows, Pure bred jersey cows do not have this gene, neither do goats and sheep. There is a milk available in Australia called 'A2 Milk' which is from cows geneticaly tested for the gene that produces the a1 casein.

A1 casein is also called 'casomorphin' as it can fit the morphine receptor in the brain. In many people it causes them to be addicted to cheese but in some people (like me) it causes a spaced out feeling and digestive issues.

[txgoldenmom in reply to Eryl]

🤯

[Typicallygaslit]

Thanks for elucidating the reason I find that mature cheese triggers RLS esp if I have some at night. I find that fresh goat cheese is fine. I’m not sure about other forms of goat cheese yet but I’ll keep this in mind. I do have RLS anyway so it’s hard to tell. I didn’t use to eat dairy at all but had a craving for a specific cheese and found out that way.

[Jukebox55]

i turned vegan 4 years ago …. No difference i am sorry to say.

[ircam2112]

I’m glad you’ve had success with your non-dairy treatment plan but to say that RLS is easy to get rid of is not only untrue but is rather insulting. Maybe you were excited to share your news but I think an apology is called for.

[elisdatbeach]

Not that easy. I never drink cow milk and I do drink raw goat milk.