A Comprehensive Medicine approach to migraines

Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, Jan, 2005 by Jacob Teitelbaum

Vitamin B12 can also decrease migraine frequency. In one study in which patients received 1000 micrograms a day as a nasal spray, migraine frequencies decreased by an average of 43% after 3 months (the vitamin powder/B-complex contains 500 micrograms a day). (24)

Feverfew is another helpful herb for migraine prevention. (25) Using feverfew has resulted in a significant reduction in migraines in one-third of patients. It was also found to be very safe. (26)

Butterbur is a shrub that grows in Europe, Asia, and Africa. A standardized extract called Petadolex[R] was used in two double-blind studies. By the third month, those receiving active treatment with 100 mg a day had 60% fewer migraine attacks than the control group. Although 100 mg a day is effective, 75 mg twice a day with food may be the optimal dose. (27)

Fish oil has also been found to decrease the frequency of migraines. In two placebo-controlled studies of patients with frequent severe migraines that did not respond to medication, fish oil was found to be effective. Use 1 to 2 tbs a day and give the treatment 6 weeks to see the effect. Then you can decrease it to the lowest dose that maintains benefit. (28,29)

Other natural compounds that may be helpful include glucosamine 1500 to 2000 mg a day (this compound was found to be helpful in a small study of 10 patients over 4 to 6 weeks). Coenzyme Q10, 150-200 mg daily, decreased the average number of migraine attacks per month from 4.8 to 2.8 in an open study. (30)

All this suggests that many, if not most, migraines can be prevented naturally. I would begin by taking the vitamin powder plus 300 mg of Vitamin B 2 in the morning, plus 200 mg of magnesium at night. If the cost is not prohibitive, I would add butterbur as well. Also check for food allergies, as noted below, and follow the advice for hormones if the migraines are predominately around your periods or associated with taking estrogen. I have seen this approach commonly eliminate frequent and severe migraine problems, but remember that it may take 3 months to see the effect.

What Else Can I Do to Eliminate the Underlying Cause of the Migraines?

Acupuncture is another option to consider for chronic migraine and tension headaches. It results in reduced pain, reduced frequency of headaches, and improved function, energy, and health. In two studies conducted in New York City and London, acupuncture was found to be cost-effective. In a randomized controlled study of 401 patients with chronic headaches (the majority having migraines), patients received up to 12 acupuncture treatments over a 3-month period vs. a control group that received standard care. The acupuncture patients had 22 fewer headache days per year, 15% fewer sick days, and 25% fewer visits to the doctor. (31)

Food allergies are also very important to consider. Approximately 30 to 50% of migraine patients get marked improvement by avoiding certain foods, and most people with migraines are not aware of what foods are triggering their headaches. This has now been demonstrated in at least four placebo-controlled studies. Food sensitivities are an even bigger problem in children with migraines. (32-35) To determine if foods are playing a role in causing your headache, it is helpful to do an elimination diet. This requires eating a very limited diet for five days. Eat only pears and lamb, and drink only bottled spring or distilled water. This kind of strict elimination diet will make it easier to tell if food allergies/sensitivities are present and triggering your migraines when you reintroduce foods into your diet. In one study, by avoiding the ten most common food triggers, subjects exhibited a dramatic reduction in the number of headaches per month, with 85% becoming headache free. Twenty-five percent of the patients with high blood pressure also had their blood pressure reduce to normal. The most common reactive foods were wheat in 78% of patients, oranges in 65%, eggs in 45%, tea and coffee in 40% each, chocolate and milk in 37% each, beef in 35%, and corn, cane sugar, and yeast in 33% each. Some studies also suggest that the artificial sweetener aspartame (NutraSweet[R]) can trigger migraines and other headaches, although this is controversial. (36,37) If you have severe and frequent migraines, it is definitely worth exploring food sensitivities. (38) You may find that instead of avoiding foods that trigger your migraines for the rest of your life, you can eliminate the sensitivities/allergies using a powerfully effective acupressure technique called NAET (see www.NAET.com).