migraine vitamin
Migraine vitamin
Are you interested in discovering if your headaches and migraines can be treated through the use of natural supplements such as vitamins? If so read on because this article is going to discuss the benefits of taking specific vitamins to help prevent or treat headaches and migraines. (For more information on the problems associated with treating migraines with vitamins click here.)
Note: While many people are able to take and use vitamin supplements to treat their headaches and migraines successfully, others may need to check with their doctors before beginning any type of self-treatment. Vitamins may seem harmless because they are naturally occurring substances but vitamins have been shown to affect certain health conditions and interfere with prescription medications. For this reason, please consult your doctor before making any dietary changes.
Magnesium
Today, many researchers believe that a magnesium deficiency could be directly related to headache and migraine conditions. Modern diets are sorely lacking in natural sources of magnesium due to poor soil quality and the fact that many people simply do not eat healthy whole foods. Other common factors can cause your body to excrete too much magnesium resulting in a deficiency – this includes anything that causes dehydration such as diuretics and drinking too much alcohol and coffee.
Magnesium can be found in food such as spinach, seaweed, nuts and seeds, whole grains, and beans.
If you choose to supplement your diet with magnesium here are a few factors to keep in mind:
- Do not over pay. Most magnesium supplements should be less than $10. You do not need a “special” type of magnesium in order to see the benefits.
- Do not buy small dosage pills. While many people will see benefit from taking 400mg of magnesium per day, others may require more. If this is the case, you do not want to end up taking eight 100mg pills!
- Avoid magnesium supplementation if you have any kidney problems.
The most common sign of excessive magnesium intake is diarrhea.
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
Recent studies indicate that 400mg of vitamin B2 per day can reduce the frequency of migraines and headaches.
Like magnesium, excess riboflavin can also cause diarrhea.
Fish Oil (omega-3 fatty acid EPA and DHA)
Taking highly concentrated fish oil supplements is believed to help the body prevent the development of headaches and migraines as well as reduce the severity of a headache or migraine if taken during an attack.
Look for pills that list concentration of 360mg of EPA and 240mg of DHA.
When shopping for fish oil supplements, look for pills with special coating which prevent any type of “fish” after-taste during digestion. If this is too expensive, many people have luck freezing their fish oil supplements to prevent this problem. Also, if you budget allows, please try to get fish oil supplement that is filtered to prevent any contamination. Many large carnivorous ocean dwelling fish (and sometimes even farmed fish) contain contamination due to industrial pollution.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is though to prevent migraines. Try to consume 2,000mg per day. One method that is especially easy is the 1000mg packets of EmerginC which dissolve in water.
Some people may find that high dose vitamin C pills upset their stomachs.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is thought to improve circulation and thus be beneficial to migraine sufferers in daily quantities of 400IU.
Vitamin B6
Some researchers think that 200mg of vitamin B6 per day can help prevent headaches and migraines. Do not take more than the recommended daily dosage.
For the latest information on how to prevent and treat headaches and migraines, click here.
