As those who suffer from it know, migraine headaches can be excruciating and debilitating. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 20% of women and 10% of men had a severe headache or migraine in the past three months. Approximately 39 million women and children in the US and one billion people worldwide suffer from migraines, says the Migraine Research Foundation. In fact, migraines are the third most prevalent illness in the world. While many factors can trigger a migraine headache, about 90% of patients have a family history of migraines.
There are several prescription medications on the market that can ease the pain of migraines. But some experts believe that nutritional deficiencies may be the main cause. Giving your body the vitamins and minerals it needs can help prevent attacks.
According to America’s Natural PhysicianMark Stengler, A Natural Physician, a prepublished study presented in the British Journal of Nutrition found that migraine sufferers tend to have low levels of calcium, vitamin A, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin D, and vitamin K. Also, the higher the intake of vitamin B12, B9 (folate), and D, the shorter the duration of headaches.
Dr. Alexander Mauskop, author of The end of migraines: 150 ways to stop the pain, tells Newsmax that nearly half of migraine sufferers are deficient in magnesium due to a number of factors, including heredity, stress, or low nutritional intake. Since magnesium is so essential in many intracellular processes, the expert suggests that an oral supplement is warranted in those who suffer from migraines.
a recent study found that omega-3 fatty acids found in fatty fish, such as salmon and mackerel, helped reduce the number of migraine hours by 30% to 40% over 16 weeks, as long as patients did not include omega-6 vegetable oils in their diets. Experts think that the anti-inflammatory effect of omega-3 fatty acids contributes to the reduction of migraine headaches.
A whole food diet, such as the Mediterranean diet, can provide many of the nutrients needed for migraine prevention. However, vitamin D is difficult to obtain from the diet, Stengler says, so supplements are recommended to reduce the frequency and intensity of migraines. Research shows that many people are deficient in B vitamins due to stress, alcohol abuse, too much coffee, and medications that deplete these nutrients.
According to health lineThe following supplements can help treat the root cause of migraines:
1. Vitamin B2. The American Headache Society recommends 400 milligrams per day of vitamin B2 to treat migraines. An analysis of nine studies found that taking this supplement daily for three months significantly decreased the pain associated with migraine attacks, as well as the duration and frequency of episodes.
2. Magnesium. Research has shown that people who suffer from migraines often have low magnesium levels. A 1996 study found that people with migraines who took a magnesium supplement daily for 12 weeks reduced the incidence of migraines by 41%. David Friedman, the best-selling author of “Food Sanity: How to Eat in a World of Fads and Fiction,” tells Newsmax that “magnesium plays a vital role in the conversion of food into energy, protein synthesis, the regulation of the nervous system and the repair of our DNA.” The American Migraine Foundation recommends taking 400 to 600 milligrams of magnesium oxide supplements per day to prevent migraines.
3. Vitamin D. Taking vitamin D supplements can also help stave off migraine attacks, says Healthline, as well as reduce their intensity. One study recommends taking between 1,000 and 4,000 international units (IU) per day to reduce the frequency of migraine episodes.
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