Natural Supplements for Migraines. By Our Student Pharmacist, Prutha Patel.
Migraines are commonly misconstrued as “just another headache”; however, migraine sufferers know that migraines are more than just a headache. Oftentimes, migraines are accompanied by a warning symptom known as an aura. An aura can present as tingling on one side of the face, arm, or leg, difficulty speaking, or as visual disturbances such as flashes of light or blind spots. Other symptoms of migraine include throbbing pulsing headache, usually on one side of the head, nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and/or sound.
There are many things that can trigger a migraine. Some triggers include changes in weather, physical exertion, stress, strong smells such as perfumes and colognes, and changes in sleep. Additionally, certain food and drinks like aged cheeses, salty and processed foods, caffeine, and alcohol can trigger a migraine. As a result, it may be beneficial to keep a log or a diary of foods and environmental factors to help track what triggers your migraines as each person has a different experience.
While there are prescription medications available to help reduce the duration and severity of migraines, there are also natural supplements that may help treat and prevent migraines. These include magnesium, riboflavin, and coenzyme 10.
Magnesium
Magnesium is a mineral that is naturally found in the body and plays a role in regulating muscle and nerve function, stabilizing blood pressure, promoting heart health, and building bones, DNA, and protein. Magnesium deficiency is common amongst migraine sufferers and is not often detected through blood work. Magnesium deficiencies can present as muscle twitching, leg or foot cramps, fatigue, cold extremities/cold intolerance, and insomnia. Some studies have shown that high doses of magnesium can decrease attack frequency and reduce pain by blocking pain transmitting chemicals in the brain. Magnesium is available as an oral tablet and a common side effect of this supplement is diarrhea.
Coenzyme Q10
Coenzyme Q10, or CoQ10, is an antioxidant that the body makes naturally and is important for growth and development and is beneficial for effective functioning of the mitochondria. The exact mechanism is not known, but studies have shown that CoQ10 can help reduce frequency of migraine attacks. Additionally, the clinical trial observed that the maximum effect of CoQ10 was seen after taking daily doses consistently for at least three months. CoQ10 was well tolerated in the studies, but some side effects seen were diarrhea and nausea.
Riboflavin
Riboflavin, also known as Vitamin B2, is a vitamin that is naturally found in the body and helps with energy production. Vitamin B2 is found in many foods such as eggs, lean meat, green vegetables, and enriched breads and cereals. Studies have shown that at high doses, riboflavin was effective for migraine prevention compared to placebo. However, like CoQ10, the maximum effects of riboflavin were seen after three months of taking the supplement daily. Riboflavin is also well tolerated, but some notable side effects are diarrhea and yellow-orange urine.
Before choosing and starting a supplement, it is important to consult with your doctor to determine if these supplements are appropriate for you.
References:
https://americanmigrainefoundation.org/resource-library/magnesium/
https://americanmigrainefoundation.org/resource-library/nutraceuticals/
https://www.withcove.com/learn/coq10-migraine-prevention
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D’Onofrio F, Raimo S, Spitaleri D, Casucci G, Bussone G. Usefulness of nutraceuticals in migraine prophylaxis. Neurological Sciences. 2017;38(S1):117-120. doi:10.1007/s10072-017-2901-1
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Sándor PS, Di Clemente L, Coppola G, et al. Efficacy of coenzyme Q10 in migraine prophylaxis: a randomized controlled trial. Neurology. 2005;64(4):713-715. doi:10.1212/01.WNL.0000151975.03598.ED
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