Magnesium & Migraines
There is a popular theory that one of the reasons we get migraine is due to a magnesium deficiency. There’s also some thought that the body also may be going through deficiencies in calicium and/or ribolfavin (one of the B vitamins). Apparently, most people don’t get the daily requirements of magnesium (let alone that of calicium or ribolflavin).
Part of this theory about migraines being due to magnesium deficiency is based on thinking that migraines are caused by constricting blood vessels. This theory is on the outs, being replaced by serotonin levels being the culprit. But the sad fact is that no one knows what is the actual physical action that produces migraine pain.
Any Proof?
Part of the basis for this lack of magnesium theory is that some migraineurs, given enough magnesium to choke a horse, would report that they got less migraines. There was a 1992 French study that showed some promise, but that was only on 55 controls and 79 miraineurs. Another 1996 study, this time from Germany, and the migraineurs were all women suffering from menstrual migraine (so at least you had a pretty good idea of when the migraines would hit). In 12 weeks, the migraine reduction was 41% for those recieving whopping amounts of magnesium.
What’s the Catch?
I haven’t found any long-term studies done about magnesuim therapy for migraines. I wonder if, a year or two later, those same women with menstrual migraines were getting their migraines with the sme intensity and frequency as before? Any kind of new therapy can trigger the placebo effect int he body. The placebo effect is an amazing thing — but the problem is that you have to keep switching your placebos once or twice a year.
Also, taking such large doses of magnesium can get you very sick, especially if you already have kidney troubles. You also will get diarrhea. You can usually get all of the magnesium you need just by certain foods you eat, such as bananas, whole grains, beans, soy products, seafood, dark leafy green vegetables and milk.
For Pete’s sake, don’t start experimenting with a bottle of magnesium tablets. Talk to your doctor first!
May 21st, 2008 at 11:34 pm
Rena,
Funny you mentioned that. I’ve been running some experiments (on myself) for a couple of month and got some fascinating results.
In short - magnesium does not get rid of your migraines. It does, however, help you to reduce the headache part of the migraine cycle. This is almost a certainty (at least I think so, based on the things I’ve learned) but there is a specific way one has to take it.
While it sounds good, to have “headacheless” migraines, there are a bunch of things you’d have to deal with instead.
I am still on the last leg of collecting the info and hopefully I’ll put it all in writing. For now, check Kerry’s experiences - she actually dropped magnesium, couldn’t handle it.
May 22nd, 2008 at 10:41 am
Thanks for the info.
December 26th, 2008 at 8:25 pm
[...] supplements in the hope to leesen the intensity and frequency of head pain. Taking mega doses of magnesium is a popular alternative or complimentary migraine treatment, as well as a combination of magnesium [...]