Natural approach to migraine headaches

Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, August-Sept, 2002 by Dr. Farhang Khosh, Dr. Mehdi Khosh, Dr. Deena Beneda

Nutritional imbalances play an important role in the development of migraine headaches. Nutritional imbalances to be considered in migraine sufferers include essential fatty acids (EFAs), riboflavin and magnesium. The role of EFAs in the prevention of a migraine should be mentioned. Platelet aggregation and arachidonic acid metabolites are of significance in the mediation of the events leading to the prodromal reduced blood flow to the brain of the migraine sufferers. It has been shown that reducing the intake of animal fats and increasing the consumption of fish will significantly change platelet and membrane EFA ratios and decrease platelet aggregation. (51-53)

Studies show that riboflavin is effective against migraine headaches. One theory is that migraine headaches are caused by a reduction of energy production within the blood vessels of the brain. Riboflavin has the potential of increasing cellular energy production, and to have preventive effects against migraine. (54) This theory was tested on 55 patients suffering from migraine headaches. They were given large doses of riboflavin (400 mg daily) for at least three months. Overall, improvement after therapy was 68.2% in the riboflavin group. No serious side effects occurred in the riboflavin group, only minor adverse events, which were diarrhea and polyuria. The results from this study suggest that high-dose riboflavin could be an effective and low-cost preventive treatment of migraine. (55)

Low levels of magnesium play a significant role in migraine headaches. Low brain and tissue magnesium concentrations have been found in migraine patients, pointing out a need for magnesium supplementation, since one of magnesium's key functions is to maintain the tone of the blood vessels and prevent overexcitability of nerve cells. Other studies have found: 1) increased platelet cyclic AMP in patients with migraines is related to alteration of neurotransmitters in the platelet, (56) 2) lower magnesium content in mononuclear cells could indirectly indicate the reduction of brain magnesium concentration, (57) 3) low red blood cell magnesium levels could be a peripheral expression of the reduced brain magnesium concentration (58) and 4) lower levels of serum and salivary magnesium. (59)

The importance of magnesium in the pathogenesis of migraine headaches has clearly been established by a large number of clinical and experimental studies. Magnesium, along with its vasorelaxant properties, lessens nerve excitation and has antiplatelet capabilities and it may be that magnesium concentration has an effect on serotonin receptors and nitric oxide synthesis. (60) The effectiveness of magnesium was demonstrated in a double-blind study with 81 patients suffering from recurrent migraines. They were given either 600 mg of oral magnesium a day or placebo for 12 weeks. At 9 weeks, the migraine attacks were reduced by 41.6% in the magnesium group and 15.8% in the placebo group. The number of days with migraine and drug consumption for symptomatic treatment per patient also decreased significantly in the magnesium group. (61,62) Infusion of magnesium results in a rapid and sustained relief of an acute migraine attack. In fact, in September 2000 issue of Science News Dr. Alexander Mauskop has shown that 80 % of patients responded completely to the treatment and had no headache pain within 15 minutes of the infusion. (63)