Magnesium Linked to Reduced Migraine Frequency and Intensity

Studies have shown that magnesium can help relieve migraine symptoms and reduce their frequency. A 2016 meta-analysis of 21 studies found that intravenous magnesium significantly alleviated acute migraine symptoms by about 75% both immediately (15-45 minutes) and longer term (24 hours). Oral magnesium, used for migraine prevention, was found to significantly reduce the frequency of migraines by 80% and the intensity of migraines by 78%.

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Migraine and Cluster Headaches Helped with Vitamin D

The “Vitamin D Anti Inflammatory Regimen,” discussed in this video interview with Dr. Bruce Holis, has helped many to successfully manage their cluster and migraine headaches. It includes doses of vitamin D to achieve levels above 100 ng/ml (250 nmol/L), along with magnesium supplementation and monitoring for any signs of toxicity. As stated by host Craig Stewart, “It is my hope sufferers will watch this and realize it is a safe and effective treatment option and everyone realizes the importance of maintaining physiological levels of Vitamin D.” This video is definitely worth the watch!

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Higher Omega-3s and Lower Omega-6s Resulted in Fewer Headache Hours

A study by Ramsden et al. looked at the effect of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid intake and levels on headaches in adults who suffered from migraines. The study involved 182 participants with an average age of 38 years, who suffered migraines 5 to 20 days per month; 88% of the participants were women, and 67% met the criteria for having a chronic migraine diagnosis.

The study authors designed three different diets to be given to the participants for a total of 16 weeks:

• High Omega-3 diet (n=61): increased EPA+DHA intake to 1.5 g/day
• High Omega-3/Low Omega-6 diet (n=61): increased EPA+DHA intake to 1.5 g/day with LA intake decreased to 1.8% or less of energy intake
• Control diet (n=60): average US intake of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids – less than 150 mg/day of EPA and DHA, with LA intake of around 7% of energy

At the beginning of the study, participants indicated an average of 16.3 headache days per month and 5.4 headache hours per day. Average headache hours at the end of the study were

• 4.9 hours for participants on the control diet
• 3.6 hours for participants on the High Omega-3 diet
• 3.2 hours for participants on the High Omega-3/Low Omega-6 diet

At the end of the 16 weeks, those on the High Omega-3/Low Omega-6 diet and the High Omega-3 diet had significantly decreased frequency and severity of headaches compared to the control group. In addition, the High Omega-3/Low Omega-6 group had 4 fewer headache days per month than the control group at the end of the study, and 2 fewer headache days than the High Omega-3 group.

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As illustrated in the charts above, participants experienced fewer hours of headache per day as blood levels of omega-3s EPA and DHA increased (p=0.001), as levels of the omega-6 LA decreased, and as the AA:EPA ratio decreased (p=0.03, p=0.002).

Did you know that everyone responds differently to vitamin D supplement amounts - by up to 6 times!?

Your health could be greatly affected by making sure you have a vitamin D level of at least 40 ng/ml (100 nmol/L). Don't get stuck with low vitamin D levels - learn more about what might affect your level and response to supplementation, and the steps to take through each season to keep levels in your target range.

Carole Baggerly

Founder

Jen Aliano

Director