Restless Leg Syndrome

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​This is for those who have experienced and suffer from the peculiar internal discomfort that is restless leg syndrome, separate from leg cramps or spasms, and for those interested in furthering the research. This is not a regurgitation of available science, but conclusions based on lived experiences and observations that will hopefully inspire future research into the chemical imbalance issues related to: carbonated drinks.
Tl;Dr - Find out if carbonation is affecting you in problematic ways: Go 2-4 weeks without any carbonated beverages, including naturally carbonated spring water and beers,  and observe for changes.  

The first time I wondered if carbonation was a suspect in ill health had nothing to do with restless leg syndrome. As a remedy-focused, deep tissue bodywork professional, I was keenly aware that clients who did not consume adequate amounts of plain water suffered post-massage malaise, significantly more than their hydrated counterparts. So, when a client complained of feeling awful for days after working with me (a rarity), I automatically asked them: How much water were you drinking each day? Instead of getting the usual blank stare with eventual confession of not drinking or not liking to drink water, I received an enthusiastic, "I drink lots of water!" How much would you say? "2 gallons a day!"

I was stunned. The client was either lying or something else was going on. My client documentation is quite clear that caffeine- and sugar-containing drinks dehydrate instead of hydrate. The client earnestly confirmed that they drank only water, not coffee or tea or juices or sodas. Hm. "What kind of water?,” I asked, mostly as a delay tactic as my mind raced to understand what could have resulted in her discomforts. I believe 'seltzer water' was her answer. Some kind of plain, carbonated water, for sure.

I'm careful as well as confident in my work, and the client was relatively healthy, so I instinctively surmised that carbonation was the problem, knowing full well that I had zero evidence or research. I vaguely recalled looking up the issue at one time, and found myself disappointed at all the articles that claimed that water was water, similar to the false claim that a calorie is a calorie. From that day forward, I added carbonation to my list of post-massage no-nos, and set my subconscious mind to the task of paying closer attention to this issue in future. The future was me.

For a period of time, I had become accustomed to having a few cocktails before bed due to my eternal insomnia roller coaster. But alcohol is not healthy for the most part, and can reduce quality of sleep, so I also wanted to reduce dependency. Going without left a hole in an evening ritual I did not realize I had come to appreciate. I made the best of the situation by continuing my nightly drink ritual, but with plain seltzer water with a splash of lemon or grape juice. It tasted wonderful. It felt good. Until it didn't. For some unknown reason, I started suffering from restless leg syndrome, a condition that I'd had once before, long ago, during severe hormonal imbalance crises. I even concluded that restless leg syndrome was likely an indicator of hormonal imbalance. But I'd finally gotten those hormone issues corrected, so why were my legs so restless again, inhibiting sleep, again? 

Night after night, my legs became restless. During the day, they were fine. I began to question my evening drink. "But it's just water with the tiniest splash of juice for flavor!"

So began the experiment. For two weeks more, I enjoyed my evening mocktail, but now in heightened observation mode. What I discovered was that no matter what time of the evening that I sat down to enjoy my mocktails, it was, if I remember correctly, about half-way into the 2nd glass when the legs started driving me insane. If you've never experienced restless leg syndrome, it is maddening. 

I did not want to believe it, but all other potential causes were taken into account and accounted for. It could only be the carbonation. After forcing myself to suffer in the name of science for two more weeks, I quit carbonation, altogether, and my restless leg syndrome disappeared, too.

Carbonation is too ubiquitous for it to have a negative health impact on all who consume it, but it most certainly affects at least a subset, of which "the highly sensitive person" (HSP as per Elaine Aron) is likely a starting base. HSPs make up the vast majority of my client base over the decades, too. I can usually tell an HSP by the first touch, so I know they/we are born biologically different. And, that biological sensitivity must be taken into consideration when evaluating any drug for any patient, but I digress.

Western medicine has slightly more information now than when I first suffered. They suspect hormone imbalance and heredity as possible causes. They don’t count HSP as a risk factor, but peripheral neuropathy, a condition I also have, is. Other risk factors include iron deficiency, kidney failure, spinal cord conditions, and Parkinson’s. But I’m not so sure these are causes or risk factors. I think it is more accurately stated as conditions that limit the body’s tolerance of further chemical imbalance.

And guess what? Carbonation is known to deplete magnesium. And magnesium deficiency is known to cause muscle cramps and spasms. So, if carbonation isn't your issue, maybe magnesium deficiency, is. 

If you are peculiarly sensitive, at risk, or suffer peculiar chronic health symptoms, and also enjoy carbonated drinks, do yourself a favor and go carbonation-free for a trial period of at least 2 weeks. Find out for yourself if carbonation is disturbing your body's ability to manage chemical/hormonal balance. Above all, if it turns out that being carbonation-free makes you feel better? Tell your doctors. Report your personal findings to medical websites that accept testimonials. You could help advance medical research, thereby helping countless others.

First published: 4/17/2019