| Q: |
What vitamins, minerals, and supplements can help me control migraine attacks?
| | A: |
Several vitamins, minerals, and herbal supplements have been
shown to be beneficial in treating migraine including magnesium,
riboflavin (vitamin B2), feverfew, coenzyme Q10, and butterbur root.
However, all medicines, whether herbal, prescription, or
non-prescription, have the potential for harm or benefit. You must
discuss planned use of any product with your doctor. A natural product
can still have “drug” effects and interact with other medications.
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| Q: |
How does magnesium help with migraine?
| | A: |
As with prescription migraine medications, exactly how magnesium
may help prevent a migraine is not well understood. Like the
anticonvulsants prescribed for migraine, magnesium inhibits the spread
of electrical activity across the brain. Some scientists think that
migraine might be due to low magnesium levels. Doctors have found that
360–600mg of chelated (slow-release) oral magnesium oxide may help in
migraine prevention; however, diarrhea may interfere with its uptake.
Always check with your doctor before starting any supplements.
|
| Q: |
Does vitamin B2 (riboflavin) help to prevent migraine?
| | A: |
One theory of migraine holds it to be a problem with mitochondria
(the energy-producing part of a cell). Vitamin B2 plays an important
role in energy production by mitochondria; high doses of the vitamin
might correct problems with this process and prevent migraine. Research
has shown 25–400mg daily may help reduce migraine attacks. However,
excessive use of B-complex vitamins to achieve the right dose of vitamin
B2 may be dangerous.
|
| Q: |
What is coenzyme Q10?
| | A: |
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), like vitamin B2, plays a role in energy
production by mitochondria in cells. Research has suggested that CoQ10
may be helpful in preventing migraine attacks. The side effects reported
during the studies included nausea, loss of appetite, indigestion, and
diarrhea. Ask your doctor about CoQ10 before you start taking this
supplement for migraine.
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| Q: |
Some people have told me to take feverfew for my migraine. How can it help?
| | A: |
The leaves of the herb feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium)
when dried and taken as a medicine, have an anti-inflammatory effect
and work in a way similar to aspirin and other nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen or naproxen.
Feverfew may help in migraine by reducing constriction of blood vessels
in the brain. Research has shown mixed results: some studies suggest it
helps prevent attacks, while others disagree. Possible side effects
include stomach upset and mouth ulcers and a “post-feverfew syndrome” of
joint aches has been described, but it is unclear exactly what this is.
Do not start feverfew without consulting your doctor. It is especially
important not to mix it with NSAIDs since they cause the same side
effects.
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| Q: |
Can I take butterbur root to prevent migraine attacks?
| | A: |
The root of butterbur (Petasites hybridus),
a shrub, is used in traditional remedies. Studies have shown that
butterbur root is somewhat helpful in preventing migraine. It may work
by blocking the inflammation process. However, the stem and leaves of
the plant can cause cancer, liver disease, bleeding problems, and lung
damage. For this reason, it is important to buy butterbur root only from
a reputable source that has high safety standards. Again, talk to your
doctor before using it.
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