This was a very small study (7 people) who were found to have both SIBO and RLS. The study was conducted at Stanford’s Sleep Center. The preliminary findings may not pan out with a larger sampling of patients, but it will be interesting to see if a connection between SIBO and RLS will continue to be uncovered in future studies.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/06/190607122406.htm
“High levels of rare gut bacteria may be linked to restless legs syndrome
Possible relationship between gut microbial health and sleep disorder....
Results show that SIBO was found in all seven participants who have RLS. In contrast, the prevalence of SIBO in the general population is estimated to be no more than 15%.....
‘We've observed extremely high rates of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth in the RLS group,’ ...
‘Exploring the relationship between RLS and gut microbial health has the potential to open novel avenues for possible detection, prevention and treatment for RLS and other sleep disorders.’
Low iron in the brain is a key risk factor for RLS. According to the authors, this brain iron deficiency may be secondary to dietary iron deficiency or, potentially, gut inflammation....
Additional study participants continue to be recruited at the Stanford Sleep Center. Further analyses will examine fecal microbial composition, subtypes of RLS iron deficiency, and comparisons with insomnia.“
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/06/190607122406.htm
“High levels of rare gut bacteria may be linked to restless legs syndrome
Possible relationship between gut microbial health and sleep disorder....
Results show that SIBO was found in all seven participants who have RLS. In contrast, the prevalence of SIBO in the general population is estimated to be no more than 15%.....
‘We've observed extremely high rates of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth in the RLS group,’ ...
‘Exploring the relationship between RLS and gut microbial health has the potential to open novel avenues for possible detection, prevention and treatment for RLS and other sleep disorders.’
Low iron in the brain is a key risk factor for RLS. According to the authors, this brain iron deficiency may be secondary to dietary iron deficiency or, potentially, gut inflammation....
Additional study participants continue to be recruited at the Stanford Sleep Center. Further analyses will examine fecal microbial composition, subtypes of RLS iron deficiency, and comparisons with insomnia.“
