March Healthy Hint

Do you have restless, roaming legs at night even though you're in your bed? Scientists have shown that missing nutrients can affect all aspects of health and more importantly, sleep. In fact, in order for muscles and nerves to relax, you need magnesium, the "calming" mineral. Many people, especially women, consume enough calcium in their diet, which helps muscles to contract. Although magnesium can be found in leafy greens and red meats, getting the required 450 mg a day is not easy, given that 75% of Americans are woefully deficient. Without magnesium to counteract calcium, muscles can remain in a contracted state. This is especially true for people with fibromyalgia whose muscles are already tight and painful.

In restless leg syndrome (RLS), overactive nerves fire signals that cause legs to move and twitch (and can be very painful). Moving the legs is one way to temporarily stop symptoms. Magnesium taken before bed can be helpful as well. You can check your red cell magnesium level by a quick blood test, RBC Magnesium Test. Fibro-Care™ is a good way to supplement this mineral since it can get inside the red blood cells where it's needed. Other nutrients affected with restless leg syndrome are iron and folic acid. Since iron can cause problems if excess is taken, checking your ferritin iron levels might be warranted as well. Finally, Valerian Rest™ has been tested against drugs given for RLS in its ability to enhance GABA production, inhibit enzymes that interfere with GABA, and slow its re-absorption. GABA is the short name for a neurotransmitter that calms down nerve cells that are overactive, to slow down their "firing". Only the valerian that contained valerenic acid, which Valerian Rest™ does, was effective in research studies. Thus, the combination of Fibro-Care™ and Valerian Rest™ may quiet those excited extremities and be your ticket to dreamland.