Magnesium Deficiency & Migraines

Magnesium is extremely important to nearly every organ in the body. It is found to be involved in, according to neurosurgeon Dr. Blaylock, in 325 biochemical reactions in the body. It is arguably a deficiency in 80% of the population of the United States.

Not surprisingly, a deficiency in magnesium is implicated in some migraine attacks. Aside from magnesium helping maintain normal blood pressure, blood sugar (glucose) levels and muscle function, it is a catalyst in the biochemistry that is needed to prevent migraines.

Magnesium activates enzymes that are part of energy production as well a regulating calcium levels (especially in muscles...helping preventing cramps) plus regulating copper, zinc, potassium, vitamin D (bone and immune function) and many other important functions of the body.

Levels of magnesium are reduced by too much coffee, carbonated drinks, excessive salt, and alcohol. In addition, heavy menstruation can cause a depletion. This, in particular, is where migraines are impacted. As you may know women of menstruation age have three times as many migraines as men. Migraines are very much related to hormone balance.

What to do about it? A good multivitamin supplement which has the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of magnesium prescribed for good health should be taken. This mineral is best assimilated by taking it (in the vitamin complex) with green foods and also with meats.

Just because a little is good, a lot is not better. Too much magnesium can cause diarrhea and can upset the balance of other inorganic minerals such as calcium, zinc and copper. Do not load up on it!

Some researchers believe that combining magnesium with the feverfew herb and riboflavin. The website @ http://www.migraine-headache-relief can provide this supplement.

The B vitamins are very valuable in counteracting migraine headaches. It goes without saying that a good multiple vitamin supplement with the B vitamin complex is the best way to go to eliminate one significant cause of migraine headaches.

The B vitamins in research studies are proven very beneficial in reducing migraine attacks by themselves. Ditto for feverfew...by itself it has proven beneficial. Denis Van Loan DDS

Trans Fats, Artery Inflammation & Migraines

Many people do not realize the enormous significance of dietary intake in the cause and prevention of migraine headaches. Many chemical substances precipitate migraine headaches. Yes, most migraineurs realize that there are certain triggers. I am not talking so much about these triggers; I am concerned about the process that is significant in migraine attacks.


Many people do not understand the process of inflammation that frequently occurs. What is less understood is the insults to your blood vessels which make you vulnerable to migraine headaches.


I've talked previously about the significant key to migraines is the condition of the blood vessels. Blood vessel spasm alone is a unique component of the migraine process. Hormone changes and certainly chemicals do trigger migraine headaches through vascular spasms.


Long term, there is another factor about blood vessels that has proven itself to be significant, is inflammation. Inflammation disrupts normal function and usually is accompanied by pain.


Excess homocysteine, often a product of red meats, is one culprit. Other inflammatory agents of blood vessels are trans fats, preservatives and unhealthy (toxic) chemicals.



Trans fats are found in poly saturated vegetable oils (shortenings) and all highly heated oils. They become chemically stable and hard for the body to break down.


Trans fats are more inert and unreactive to body chemistry. Trans fats are simply hard to metabolize and eliminate from the body. They are foreign objects.


According to Dr. DeMaria's book: "Dr. Bob's TransFat Survival Guide", the half life is 18 days. Realistically it takes 51 days to purge your body of most trans fats. Frequent consumption of trans fats stockpiles them in your body.


If you eat a lot of French fries or consume a lot of shortening, margarine and preserved foods, you accumulate these harmful trans fats. You tax and overload you body, especially the liver and kidneys.


How do these "fats" work? Trans fats cause inflammation in the body, resulting in aches and pains everywhere. Postglandins, which are natural pain relievers are neutralized. Not surprisingly the body chemistry is disrupted and I'm convinced that future research will co-relate increased migraines due to the blood vessel inflammation from these agents.


Research has already shown that inflammation due to homocysteine significantly increases migraine headaches. I would say ditto to all preservatives and chemical irritants. If you have difficulty in metabolizing and eliminating any irritants such toxic chemicals and preservatives, you can trigger headaches.


I cannot advise you individually what to do, but I find a diet free of anything toxic or inflammatory eliminates 95% of my vascular headaches.


What also helps? A good vitamin B complex supplement that includes B-2, B-6, B-12 and Folic acid significantly reduces migraine headaches in proven studies. For more information on headache relief go to: http://www.migraineheadache-relief.com Denis Van Loan DDS