Migraine and magnesium: A natural solution for headache relief
Significant research has shown that people with migraine often have lower levels of magnesium than those without them. Think of magnesium as the cool, calm friend among minerals. It’s a big player in making sure your muscles know when to relax and not get too wound up. When we’re low on magnesium, our muscles tend to throw a tantrum – they tense up, cramp, and can lead to headache-inducing trouble.
Migraine and tension headaches are often the result of muscles in your head and neck going into overdrive, squeezing a little too tightly. And guess what helps them loosen up and relax? That’s right, magnesium.
Can magnesium relieve migraine attacks?
Ever heard of serotonin? It’s often called “the happy hormone”, responsible for carrying signals between nerve cells throughout the body that influence our mood, motor-skills, and even digestion. Magnesium is a cofactor that converts the protein we eat (tryptophan) into serotonin. This is why a magnesium deficiency can disrupt serotonin levels and diminish blood flow in the brain, which may be a contributing factor to migraines. Studies indicate that low serotonin levels dilate blood vessels and initiate migraine. When we’re low on magnesium, serotonin levels can take a nosedive, leaving us more susceptible to those debilitating migraine episodes, as well as small blood clots which reduce blood flow to the brain.
Have you been under a lot of stress lately? Studies show that chronic stress triggers nerve cells to create a pain-producing substance called “substance P”. Substance P is capable of dilating blood vessels and releasing allergic compounds like histamine, which can trigger inflammation, pain, and migraine headaches. Stress has also been shown to significantly increase our urinary excretion of magnesium.
How does magnesium help?
Magnesium has natural analgesic properties, which means it can act as a pain reliever. This is particularly beneficial for those experiencing the intense pain associated with migraine.
Studies indicate that magnesium could be particularly beneficial for individuals experiencing migraine with aura or menstrual migraines. Researchers believe it has the potential to prevent aura (sensory disturbances such as flashing lights, blind spots, tingling in the hands or face) by interrupting the brain’s production of signals that trigger these sensations.
Integrating magnesium into migraine management
While magnesium shows promise in migraine management, it’s crucial to adopt a holistic approach to migraine care and prevention. This includes identifying and avoiding triggers such as stress, certain foods, lack of sleep, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle through regular exercise and stress reduction techniques.
Effective supplementing of magnesium depends on two factors: how much you consume and how much your body can absorb. How much you can absorb depends on your lifestyle, your diet, stress levels, medications you may be taking and age.
For individuals who are chronically stressed, older, or may be taking prescription medications, Magnesium Bis·Glycinate 140 Extra Gentle and Magnesium Bis·Glycinate 80 Ultra Gentle are designed for those seeking potency with enhanced digestive gentleness.
