How to Beat Migraines Naturally.

Migraines are one of the worst things that can happen to an individual, at least in my opinion.

The endless aching, throbbing, and stabbing pains in the head, the nausea and vomiting, the sensitivity to light and sound, the fatigue that can last for hours and sometimes days after the pain finally subsides.

Having monthly or weekly migraines is no joking matter.

Many of us who have migraines regularly usually turn to our primary care provider for relief. You may find that medication gives you much needed relief. Or you may find that medication isn't really effective at reducing the frequency of your migraines.

So how do you beat migraines naturally, giving yourself more freedom from pain and more time to enjoy doing the things you love?

Here's some tips to beat migraines naturally and start living life on your own terms.

How to Beat Migraines Naturally with CoQ10

CoQ10 is a molecule made by the body that helps with energy production. It also helps with mitochondrial support. Studies show that migraines are linked to a coQ10 deficiency. Daily coq10 supplementation helped to reduce the frequency of migraines over a 3 month period and lessened intensity and severity as well.

Magnesium

Magnesium is a mineral responsible for over 300 enzymatic reactions in the body. This mineral is essential nerve conduction, muscle tone, and regulating heart rhythm among many other functions.

Studies show that magnesium deficiency is linked to migraines. For those that eat the Standard American Diet or (SAD) magnesium intakes can be less that 50% of the recommended daily allowance (RDA).

And the RDA is by no means that gold standard in optimal nutrition. This means that your migraines may be due to a less than optimal magnesium intake. Studies show that those who suffer from classic migraines, cluster headaches, and migraines that occur around your menstrual cycle have low magnesium.

Supplementing with magnesium over a 4-12 week period helped to reduce the frequency of migraines by over 40% in one placebo controlled study.

Removing Gluten From Diet

Gluten is a wheat protein that has gotten a lot of negative publicity in recent years due to increased awareness of celiac disease. But many people still have a reaction to gluten although they clinically can't be diagnosed with celiac disease.

This condition is known as non-celiac gluten sensitivity. Gluten is being studied as a contributor to migraines due to an increase in histamine. For individuals sensitive to gluten, ingesting the wheat protein can cause an increase in histamine.

Histamine is a compound that is released by cells due to injury or allergy. It helps to contract smooth muscle and dilate capillaries. Migraines, once thought to be only due to neurological causes, are once again being studied from a vascular perspective.

Studies suggest that migraines may be due to an increase in dilation of the vasculature of the central nervous system.

Examining the relationship between histamine and gluten, one enzyme appears to be a ket player: diamine oxidase. Diamine oxidase helps to break down histamine. Individuals with migraines are more likely to have lower diamine oxidase levels and can't break down histamine very well.

So it goes like this: Eating gluten raises histamine levels for sensitive individuals. High histamine levels cause migraines. Low levels of diamine oxidase can't break down excess histamine thereby causing migraines.

Removing gluten from the diet prevents histamine release and therefore reduces the frequency and severity of migraines.

L-carnitine

L-carnitine is a molecule derived from lysine. It helps support mitochondria and helps turn fat into energy. Studies show that carnitine helps to reduce oxidative stress and improve mitochondrial function. It also helps improve ATP production, the energy currency of the body.

Studies also suggest that carnitine plays a role in reducing the frequency and severity of migraines. Especially when taken with coq10, carnitine may help improve migraine symptoms.

Homeopathy

Homeopathy can't be discounted when addressing migraines. Homeopathy is a gentle yet effective approach to whole person health that involves choosing the right remedy for the right symptoms and the right person. Some of the homeopathic remedies that bryonia, belladonna, gelsemium, and ignatia.

Homeopathic remedies are very sensitive to proper selection. This means that when you get the right remedy, you'll no it. If you don't, you won't see any improvement in your symptoms.

While choosing the right remedy may be a challenge, you can always contact your local naturopathic doctor for guidance or sign up for our upcoming online course about homeopathy to learn more.

While these are important natural health tips to help reduce migraines, the cause of migraines is often multifactorial ranging from hormonal imbalance to environmental causes. Speaking with your naturopathic doctor about a whole person centered individualized plan for your needs is the best approach to get rid of your migraines.

I'm Dr. Candace Mathers, boy mom, girl mom, Down syndrome mom and naturopathic doctor. Life Blossom Wellness will be releasing a NEW self paced online course all about homeopathy! Homeopathy can be a gentle effective treatment for many conditions, especially those that are hard to manage with conventional approaches,

Sign up for our email list to get more information and be the first to take the course when it comes out!

References

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3. Griauzdaitė K, Maselis K, Žvirblienė A, et al. Associations between migraine, celiac disease, non-celiac gluten sensitivity and activity of diamine oxidase. Med Hypotheses. 2020;142:109738. doi:10.1016/j.mehy.2020.109738

4. Mason Bianca N., Russo Andrew F. Vascular Contributions to Migraine: Time to Revisit?Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience.12.2018. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fncel.2018.00233 doi:10.3389/fncel.2018.00233

5. Fila M, Chojnacki C, Chojnacki J, Blasiak J. Nutrients to Improve Mitochondrial Function to Reduce Brain Energy Deficit and Oxidative Stress in Migraine. Nutrients. 2021;13(12):4433. Published 2021 Dec 10. doi:10.3390/nu13124433

6. Hajihashemi P, Askari G, Khorvash F, Reza Maracy M, Nourian M. The effects of concurrent Coenzyme Q10, L-carnitine supplementation in migraine prophylaxis: A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial. Cephalalgia. 2019;39(5):648-654. doi:10.1177/0333102418821661