Reduce Migraine Symptoms

Migraine is the most common headache,¹ and a leading cause of disability in women under the age of 50 globally.²

They are frequently severe and debilitating, and can last for days.¹

Researchers have identified several nutrients that can help ease the suffering in those with migraine episodes.

In separate clinical trials, daily intake of these nutrients helped reduce the frequency or severity of migraine attacks.^2-6

Together, they may optimize migraine relief.

What Causes Migraine?

A migraine can cause moderate to severe pain that may affect one or both sides of the head and often extends to the neck. It may also involve the face, which is why it is frequently mistaken for a “sinus headache.” The pain can last for hours or even days.¹

Migraines often make daily activities almost impossible, lead to missed work or other obligations, and reduce quality of life.

In addition to head pain, migraine symptoms include nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, sound, and/or smell, and for some, an aura (or sensory disturbance) such as visual changes or speech difficulties.¹

Various changes in and around the brain contribute to these headaches.

Inflammation can trigger events that may include changes in blood vessels, nerves, and other tissues. For example, increased levels of a pro-inflammatory protein called calcitonin gene-related peptide has been tied to migraine.⁷

This inflammation may make nerves more sensitive to stimulation and contribute to headaches experienced during a migraine.⁷

Six Nutrients That Help Fight Migraine

Scientists have long searched for ways to help those suffering from migraine headaches.

In the medical literature, several nutrients have shown promising results in clinical trials.

Life Extension collaborated with Sydney Scotia, an actor, director, and producer known for her role in the Netflix series Some Assembly Required. She suffered from migraine since age 12.

Sydney took inspiration from her medical challenge, the one billion people worldwide impacted by migraine, and her father, Dr. David Dodick, a prominent neurologist and migraine expert.

She founded the research company MINDED and assembled a world-class scientific advisory board with the goal of developing safe and effective ways to manage migraine headaches.

The following six nutrients were carefully screened for their benefits in managing migraine symptoms.

Magnesium Citrate

Magnesium is a mineral known to support neurotransmission and cognitive function, reduce inflammation, and promote healthy blood vessel reactivity and nerve function.⁸

Inadequate magnesium intake is common and may contribute to migraines.^8,9

In a clinical study, adults with a history of migraine received either 600 mg of magnesium citrate or a placebo daily for three months.⁴

Those receiving magnesium had a 41.6% reduction in the frequency of migraine attacks, compared with a 15.8% reduction in the placebo group. The number of days with migraine and the need to use drugs to treat attacks also decreased significantly in the magnesium group.

The researchers concluded that magnesium citrate appears to be an effective way to prevent migraines.

Vitamin B2

Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) is vital for cellular energy production by mitochondria.^6,10 Scientists believe that deficits in this energy metabolism could be one underlying cause of migraine and that B2 intake might help prevent headaches.⁶

In a clinical trial, taking 400 mg of vitamin B2 daily for three months reduced the frequency of migraine attacks and the number of days with headaches. In those taking B2, 59% of subjects had their number of headache days cut at least in half. Only 15% of placebo recipients had a similar reduction.⁶

Folate (Vitamin B9)

Vitamin B9, also known as folate or folic acid, helps prevent overactivation of helper cells in the brain and regulates inflammatory processes in animal models.¹¹ It also helps reduce homocysteine, which can damage blood vessels when levels are high, especially in individuals with low baseline folate levels.^12,13

In women with migraine, taking 2,000 mcg of folate daily for three months decreased the frequency of migraine attacks compared to placebo by about 31% from baseline.³

Folate intake also reduced MIDAS (Migraine Disability Assessment) scores, which evaluate the severity of migraine attacks and their impact on daily life.

Use of rescue medications (such as pain relievers) to treat migraine attacks also decreased by about 36% in those taking folate.

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 is vital for the optimal functioning of the nervous system. Deficiency can cause nerve damage and other neurological issues.¹⁴

Preclinical studies indicate that B12 may help reduce nerve damage and inflammation in the nervous system.¹⁵

In the same study cited above that evaluated vitamin B9, a different group of female migraine sufferers received either 500 mcg of B12 or a placebo daily for three months. The B12 group had a 43% reduction in frequency of migraine attacks, compared with a slight increase in the placebo group.³

B12 also reduced the need for rescue medications to treat migraines by 43%.³

What You Need To Know

Relief for Migraine Sufferers

• Migraines are common and can last for days. Symptoms may include head pain (typically on one side), nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, visual changes, and other neurological symptoms.
• Six promising nutrients have demonstrated activity against migraine attacks: magnesium citrate, vitamins B2, B9 (folate), B12, and D3, and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10).
• These ingredients have been shown in separate clinical trials to reduce frequency, duration, and severity of migraine headaches and to reduce the need for migraine medications.
• A combination of these nutrients may maximize relief for those suffering from migraine and other headaches.

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)

Coenzyme Q10 is essential for normal mitochondrial function and cellular energy production. It may help reduce migraines by lowering inflammation and regulating blood vessel tone, which plays a role in migraine.16

In a placebo-controlled trial of adults with migraine, taking 300 mg of CoQ10 daily for three months reduced frequency of migraine attacks by 43% and significantly reduced the number of days with headache and nausea. About 48% of those taking CoQ10 reduced their migraine frequency by half or more.⁵

Vitamin D

Vitamin D has benefits throughout the body. Studies show that vitamin D deficiency is linked to a higher risk of various chronic conditions, including type 2 diabetes, cancer, infections, and cardiovascular, autoimmune, and neurological diseases.^17,18

In a clinical study, adults with migraine took 2000 IU (50 mcg) of vitamin D3 or a placebo daily. The impact of migraine in participants was measured by MIDAS score.¹⁹

After three months, taking vitamin D3 reduced:

• Frequency of migraine attacks by 35%,
• Duration of headaches by 39%,
• Severity of migraine by 25%,
• MIDAS score by about 35%, and
• Need for rescue headache medication by 54%.

As an additional measure, researchers tested for pro-inflammatory calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), a protein that has been demonstrated to be a key trigger of migraine.2

Those receiving vitamin D3 had 14% lower levels of the pro-inflammatory protein CGRP at the end of the study compared to the start. The scientists concluded that vitamin D’s ability to help relieve migraines likely stems, in part, from reducing CGRP.

A combination of these six nutrients may optimize the ability to ease symptoms of migraine and other headaches.

Summary

Migraine headaches can make sufferers miserable. Six nutrients have been shown in clinical trials to help reduce the frequency and severity of attacks.

Together, these ingredients may significantly reduce the impact of migraine headaches, bringing relief to millions.

If you have any questions on the scientific content of this article, please call a Life Extension Wellness Specialist at 1-866-864-3027.

References

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