Reducing Migraine

Nutrients provide migraine relief for adults and children

Migraine headaches are sometimes preceded by an aura: a flash of light, blind spots before the eyes, tingling, or anxiety; and can have debilitating symptoms lasting up to 72 hours.

According to doctors in this study, prior research identified a gene that, when mutated, can raise levels of homocysteine, making people susceptible to migraine. In the study, 52 people suffering from migraine with aura took 2 mg of folic acid, 25 mg of vitamin B6, and 400 mcg of vitamin B12 per day, or a placebo. After six months, compared to the start of the study, homocysteine levels were 39 percent lower in those who took B vitamins. While there were no changes for placebo, the B vitamin group-particularly those with the mutated gene-had fewer and less severe migraines, with disabling symptoms declining from 60 percent at the start of the study to 30 percent by the end.

Doctors in this study said that ginkgo biloba has anti-inflammatory properties which might help ease migraine in children. In the study, 12 boys and 12 girls with chronic migraine, aged 8 to 18, took a combination of ginkgo biloba extract containing 80 mg of ginkgolide B, 20 mg of coenzyme Q10, 1.6 mg of vitamin B2, and 300 mg of magnesium twice per day with meals. After three months, headaches had decreased from 7.4 attacks per month at the start of the study to 2.2 at the end. The children were also able to take fewer analgesics for pain, decreasing from 5.9 doses per month to 1.5 doses.

Reference: Journal of the Neurological Sciences; 2010, Electronic Prepublication

From the November 2010 newsletter

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