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Migraine Headaches and Vitamins
The answer is a resounding yes, as the vitamin Riboflavin, B2, and its relationship to flavocoenzymes, and the mineral magnesium, often referred to as the power mineral, can both have significant impacts in preventing this very painful condition. Migraine Headaches and their devastating affects afflict over 28 million Americans daily and millions of others worldwide on a consistent, never ending trail of pain as you well know if you suffer from this painful condition. However, even with the large numbers, this condition has been reported to be diagnosed improperly in over fifty percent of the cases. So what exactly is a migraine headache? Migraine headaches is considered to be a form of a vascular headache, in that it seems to be caused by combinations of enlarged blood vessels known as vasodilatation, and the release of chemicals from nerve fibers that surround these blood vessels. While experiencing a migraine, the temporal artery which lies outside of the skull and under the skin of the temple, enlarges. By enlarging, it pushes the stretching of the nerves around the artery, which than causes them to release chemicals that causes further enlargement, which in turn produces inflammation and than the excruciating pain in most cases. This entire process usually starts with just a dull throbbing, but most all cases of migraine headaches will affect those that suffer in a myriad of different ways, and no two people seem to be alike, which does make it very difficult to properly diagnose. From the dull throbbing will come a consistent throbbing and pulsating pain that is felt in the temples, as well as the front, side, or back of your head. Full blown attacks usually include nausea and possibly vomiting, as well as an extreme sensitivity to light and noise. There are two very common types of migraine headaches, those with aura, and than those without aura, with aura basically meaning some type of perceptual disturbance. However, there are also several other types. The other types include hemiplegic migraines, ophthalmologic migraines, retinal migraines, and basilar artery migraines. Migraines with aura is a symptom when those attacked may actually see jagged lines, dots, even lightening flashes before the actual headache sets in. In can also include hearing hallucinating sounds and sensing strange smelling odors; but can become very serious to the point of being frightening when the sensations of being stuck with needles hits or the inability to speak attacks, with both symptoms happening very quickly. These neurological sensations can last as long as an hour and will start to fade when the headaches starts. Migraines without the aura will not have the sensations, but will still have the pre-headache stage where the blood vessels constrict and vascular dilation occurs. About one third of all migraine victims experience some type of an aura prior to a headache beginning. Hemiplegic migraines are believed to be hereditary, and are very, very serious. Although quite rare, this condition is almost always accompanied by an aura, and actually has temporary body paralysis and possibly sensory disturbances prior to the headache, but dissipate once the headache starts. Ophthalmologic migraines are also very rare, but also very serious, as it surrounds the eyeball and can last from just a few days to as long as a two to three months. What is happening is pressure is building on the eye and immediate medical attention should be sought as pressure on the eye is very dangerous. Retinal migraines can actually cause either temporary or partial vision loss in one eye, and in the severest of conditions, complete loss, again until the headache actually starts, where once again the conditions will disappear. Basilar artery migraines are very rare, but will start with dizziness, confusion, and often results in a lack of balance. It is most commonly caused by hormonal connections, and thus occurs in young women and adolescent females in the majority of reported cases. Most people that suffer from migraines will experience two to four attacks per month, but some people can get them every few days. So where exactly does vitamins and minerals come into play with migraines? There is a lot of evidence that impaired mitochondrial oxygen metabolism in the brain may be the cause of most all types of migraines. Basically, because mitochondrial DNA contains genes for 13 proteins involved in oxygen consumption, it is believed that certain people have problems with oxygen being properly metabolized, and this may also account for the different levels of severity as well as the sensations suffered. Bottom line is that there is not enough energy being generated to brain cells. Riboflavin, Vitamin B2, is the precursor to two very critical flavocoenzymes that produce this energy. Riboflavin has shown time and time again to be absolutely critical in the enhancement in the body’s energy production, specifically with cells and brain cells. Our bodies do not manufacture vitamins, and as a result we must get this essential vitamin from either the foods that we eat, or through supplements. Magnesium, a mineral, works in almost perfect cohesion with Riboflavin. In several tests, it has been shown that migraine victims have lower than normal intercellular magnesium levels in both red and white blood cells, than individuals that did not suffer from migraines. Magnesium is needed in every cell of our bodies, as about half of the magnesium in our body is found inside the cells of body tissues as well as organs, and the other half works with calcium and phosphorus in the bones of our body. It is also critical for over 300 biochemical reactions that happen in our body. Magnesium loss in our bodies happens through a process of the kidneys excreting more than the normal amounts of magnesium usually do to a medical condition such as chronic malabsorption, severe diarrhea, steatorrhea, which is excess fat in the feces, and chronic vomiting. Chronic alcohol abuse also increases urinary magnesium loss, and will affect well over 40 percent of those who abuse alcohol, and over 90 percent of individuals recovering from alcohol abuse. We are what we eat, and we are what we supplement our bodies with. Magnesium supplements have shown in several tests to increase the magnesium levels and assist the processes of Riboflavin in reducing both the severity and the number of migraine headaches.
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