Nutritional Supplements for Migraine
One in twenty Australians suffers from Migraine. It is the second most common type of a headache, after tension headaches. The average migraine sufferer has an average of two episodes a month and a fifth of sufferers are forced to take time off work due to their migraines. It is more prevalent in women (due to hormonal influence) and in the age group of 35 -55 years. The most common symptoms are throbbing pain, light sensitivity, sound sensitivity, nausea, and aura. The most popular pharmaceutical treatments are by administration of a serotonin receptor agonist such as Zomig, Imitrex, Maxalt, Amerge. However, there are side effects and many people seek alternative medicine treatment.
Natural remedies for Migraine
There are certain nutritional supplements that can help with migraine. A few of these natural supplements are listed below.
Magnesium
Complementary and Alternative Medicine studies show that people with migraines often have low levels of magnesium. Magnesium is thought to affect changes in the blood vessels in the brain. Magnesium supplements are also prescribed as alternative medicine treatment for acute migraines and menstrual migraines.
Vitamin B-2 (Riboflavin)
Riboflavin is a B vitamin that is essential for growth. A study published by Boehnke et al in 2004 showed a significant reduction in frequency of headaches following riboflavin alternative medicine treatment. It is proposed that Riboflavin may improve brain mitochondrial function and thus prevent migraine attacks.
Coenzyme Q10
Complementary and Alternative Medicine studies have also shown that administration of Coenzyme Q10 been shown to reduce:
- the frequency of migraine headaches
- the number of days with headache and;
- the number of days with nausea or vomiting.
Melatonin
Melatonin is another recommended nutritional supplement that is recommended by some Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) practitioners. A study published journal Headache revealed that chronic migraine patients have low levels of melatonin. Later another research paper showed that daily alternative medicine treatment of 3-mg doses of melatonin reduced the frequency of migraines, with more than three-quarters of the research participants experiencing 50 percent fewer migraine attacks.
Holistic healthcare
Nutritional supplements can assist in providing relief for migraines. But to end the end the misery of migraines one must also modify individual dietary habits, lifestyle and address any underlying emotion imbalances that may be contributing to the disease.