Migraine Headaches are influenced by Lack of Nutrients.
If you are dealing with persistent migraines, the intense pain can have a significant impact on your quality of life.
However, researchers suggest that supplements might help alleviate some of the discomfort. Which supplements could be beneficial? Here is what I discovered. . .
Is Your Headache a Sign of Something More Serious?
Migraine headaches could indicate a potential risk: A study conducted at Charité-Universitätsmedizin, a university hospital in Berlin, Germany, reveals that women who experience migraines have an increased likelihood of heart attacks and strokes as they age.1
The German researchers highlight that one in five women suffers from migraines. By examining health data from over 115,000 American women participating in the Nurses’ Health Study, the researchers investigated the correlation between migraines and cardiovascular issues.2
Researcher Tobias Kurth warns, “Women diagnosed with migraines showed a 50% higher risk of developing cardiovascular events.” Compared to women without migraines, those with migraines had a 39% higher risk of heart attacks, a 62% higher risk of strokes, and a 73% higher risk of angina.
These significant increases in major health conditions emphasize the seriousness of migraines as a health concern.
Nutritional Deficiencies
Studies at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital indicate that many individuals suffering from migraines have deficiencies in vitamin D, riboflavin (vitamin B2), and CoQ10, a nutrient essential for cellular energy production.3
This research involved analyzing blood samples from migraine-prone individuals who were patients at the hospital’s headache center.
The analysis revealed that women with migraines are more likely to lack CoQ10, while men with migraines are more likely to be deficient in vitamin D. Additionally, individuals with chronic migraines are more likely to have deficiencies in CoQ10 and riboflavin compared to those with episodic headaches.
Episodic migraines involve 14 or fewer headaches per month, while 15 or more headaches per month are categorized as chronic migraines. Personally, I would be concerned if I experienced six or seven headaches monthly.
Supplements Can Provide Relief
Considering these findings, it is not surprising that researchers at a headache clinic in Taunus, Germany, have discovered that dietary supplements can help alleviate migraines.4
This German study included 130 participants experiencing three or more migraines per month. The participants received supplements containing 400 mg of riboflavin, 150 mg of CoQ10, and 600 mg of magnesium. The researchers noted that previous studies found deficiencies in these nutrients among individuals with migraines. Additionally, the participants took a multivitamin-multimineral supplement.
After three months, the participants reported a reduction in migraine pain and the stress associated with headaches, although complete relief was not achieved. The only reported side effects were abdominal discomfort and diarrhea, likely linked to the magnesium supplements, which can act as a laxative and vary in sensitivity among individuals.
Enhancing Pain Relief with Green Light
Migraine headaches often cause extreme sensitivity to light, prompting many individuals to seek relief in dimly lit environments.
However, a study at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston reveals that a specific type of light – green light – can significantly alleviate this sensitivity known as photophobia.5
Researcher Rami Burstein, the academic director of the Comprehensive Headache Center at Deaconess, explains, “While photophobia may not be as debilitating as headache pain itself, light intolerance can be incapacitating.” More than 80% of migraine attacks are exacerbated by light sensitivity, leading many sufferers to seek solace in darkness and withdraw from daily activities.
The researchers found that, on average, green light reduced migraine pain by 20%. One possible explanation is that green light triggers smaller neurological signals compared to red and blue lights, which stimulate larger signals in the eyes’ retinas and the brain’s cortex.
It is important to note that the study at Deaconess utilized special light bulbs emitting what the researchers termed “pure” green light, so everyday green light bulbs may not yield the same results. Nonetheless, incorporating strategies such as green light exposure and supplements is worth considering as they may provide effective pain relief.