How to Manage Your Migraine
Most everyone either knows someone that suffers from migraines or suffers from migraines themselves. Did you know that migraines are the 3rd most prevalent illness in the world and that 85% of that population suffering from migraines are women? A migraine can be defined as a recurrent throbbing headache that typically affects one side of the head and is often accompanied by nausea and disturbed vision. Migraines are still a poorly understood disease that often goes undiagnosed and untreated. There are many medications on the market for migraines but sometimes looking at vitamin and mineral deficiencies can be a good place to start without going on a prescription medication.
Magnesium is the first mineral I will dive into. Magnesium for starters is a mineral that is beneficial for many processes in the body. Magnesium is important for good mood, stabilizing blood pressure, and helps you to relax. Magnesium is also protective for the brain. Low levels of magnesium can make you more prone to migraines, insomnia, anxiety, phobias, brain fog, and depression. A magnesium deficiency can present itself as frequent headaches and migraines. Medications that commonly deplete you of magnesium include; acid blockers, antacids, antibiotics, antiviral agents, birth control pills, blood pressure drugs, cholesterol agents, corticosteroids, HRT, immunosuppressant’s, alcohol, coffee, high sugar diet, and more. As you can see, there are many different medications and everyday lifestyle behaviors that can deplete you of this important mineral. Magnesium may be found in foods like spinach, kelp, tofu, legumes, chocolate, oatmeal, whole grains, ginger, tomatoes, asparagus, lima beans, and more. The only thing to be cautious of when trying to get magnesium from food is that our soil is depleted of magnesium and it may be hard to get enough magnesium from food alone.
The next vitamin I will go over is Riboflavin, also known as Vitamin B2. Riboflavin plays a role in your body’s creation of energy and supports mitochondrial function. Riboflavin is great for tired or overweight women, especially those who have migraines. Migraines do seem to occur more frequently in people who are deficient in riboflavin. There are millions of dollars spent each year on medications for migraines when they only temporarily help and never solve the problem completely. Riboflavin works by supporting mitochondrial function in the brain. Your mitochondria are the powerhouses of your cells because they generate energy and burn fat and sugar. Medications that may deplete your body of riboflavin include acid blockers, antacids, antibiotics, antidepressants, antinausea drugs, blood pressure drugs, cancer drugs, HRT, psychiatric drugs, and alcohol. If you are looking for foods that contain riboflavin to hopefully help you with your migraines, look for foods like dairy products, lean meats, beef liver, spinach, mustard greens, broccoli, whole grains, yogurt, strawberries, cauliflower, raspberries, almonds, and more. When dosing riboflavin for migraines, usually 200mg twice daily for 60 days, then reduce to a maintenance level of 25-50mg daily.
