Condition
Restless Leg Syndrome
Restless legs syndrome is a neurological condition causing an irresistible urge to move the legs, with crawling or tingling feelings that flare at rest and at night. The evidence is strongest for iron, since low iron is closely linked to the condition and the brain needs iron to make dopamine; a magnesium study found no clear difference in sleep problems. That result came from just 10 people, so it says little either way.
Sources: PMID 9703590
- Supplements studied
- 2
- Graded outcomes
- 2
- Trials
- 2
- People studied
- 47
Evidence by supplement
- Strong
- Moderate
- Limited
- Very limited
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Insomnia Signs and Symptoms Small Improvement | Improves (the measure goes down) | Small effect | 1 study | 37 people | ||
Studies that measured insomnia signs and symptoms | ||||||
| Restless Leg Syndrome Symptoms | Improves (the measure goes down) | 1 study | 74 people | |||
Studies that measured restless leg syndrome symptoms | ||||||
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Insomnia Signs and Symptoms No effect | NoneNo effect | 10 people | ||||
| Serum Magnesium | Improves (the measure goes up) | 6 studies | 10 people | |||
Studies that measured serum magnesium
| ||||||
| Sleep Duration | Improves (the measure goes up) | 1 study | 10 people | |||
Studies that measured sleep duration | ||||||
| Sleep Quality | Improves (the measure goes up) | 1 study | 10 people | |||
Studies that measured sleep quality | ||||||
| Restless Leg Syndrome Symptoms | Improves (the measure goes down) | 10 people | ||||
| Sleep Disturbance Signs and Symptoms | Improves (the measure goes down) | 10 people | ||||
| Sleep Efficiency | Improves (the measure goes up) | 10 people | ||||
| Sleep Latency | Improves (the measure goes down) | 10 people | ||||
Key findings
- Insomnia Signs and SymptomsImproves (the measure goes down)
The Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) Management protocol
2 primary supplements · 6 supporting supplements
Shop the evidence-backed picks
The collection holds the supplements we grade A or B for its theme, in products from the Fullscript catalog. It opens in our Fullscript store. You can look through it without signing in; Fullscript asks for a free account to order.
We earn from purchases made in our Fullscript store, and links to Fullscript, iHerb or Thorne carry our referral, so we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Grades come from the research and never change based on what we earn. Full disclosure
Studies cited
10 studies from PubMed
- Effect of valerian on sleep quality in postmenopausal women: a randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial
- Does valerian improve sleepiness and symptom severity in people with restless legs syndrome
- Magnesium Sulfate Improves Some Risk Factors for Atherosclerosis in Patients Suffering from One or Two Coronary Artery Diseases: A Double-blind Clinical Trial Study
- Effects of Melatonin and/or Magnesium Supplementation on Biomarkers of Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial
- Oral magnesium supplementation for insomnia in older adults: a Systematic Review & Meta-Analysis
- Magnesium therapy for periodic leg movements-related insomnia and restless legs syndrome: an open pilot study.
- The effect of magnesium supplementation on primary insomnia in elderly: A double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial
- Short-Term Magnesium Therapy Alleviates Moderate Stress in Patients with Fibromyalgia: A Randomized Double-Blind Clinical Trial.
- Oral Mg(2+) supplementation reverses age-related neuroendocrine and sleep EEG changes in humans
- Oral magnesium supplementation improves insulin sensitivity in non-diabetic subjects with insulin resistance. A double-blind placebo-controlled randomized trial.