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MIGRAINE Headache
Natural Support Strategies For This Debilitating Condition
Migraine headache is a type of headache so painful that it is debilitating.
Although other types of headaches may be severe, migraine
headaches are characterized by
symptoms including "auras" (visual spots, lights or sensations) that
precede onset of headache, anxiety, fatigue, nausea, numbness or
tingling, and a headache so severe that bed rest is often necessary.
Lights and sounds may be excruciatingly painful to the
migraine patient. Other
alterations of sensorium may be present.
Although the exact causes of migraine headache
is unclear, evidence
suggests that this type of headache is caused by blood vessel
instability resulting in abnormal blood flow to the brain.
It appears that blood vessels undergo a strong
constriction followed by a rebound dilation. The major factors which
cause migraine headaches include:
I.) alterations in serotonin metabolism (particularly
serotonin deficiency)
II.) food allergies
III.) low magnesium levels
IV.) hormonal imbalances, especially serotonin and
the sex
hormones
V.) histamine-induced platelet aggregation (blood
platelets sticking together)
Migraine headaches can be triggered by eyestrain, poor posture, stress, sleep excess or
deficiency, weather changes, blood sugar imbalances
and drug use
to name only a few.
DIET AND LIFESTYLE RECOMMENDATIONS
- Eat cold water fish (salmon, mackerel, halibut) in
preference to chicken, or pork. These fish are
high in Essential Fatty Acids, especially Omega-3 Fatty Acids.
- Avoid known food allergens. Cow's
milk, wheat, chocolate, citrus fruits, cheese, alcohol and shellfish
are the top specific allergens for many people with
migraine headaches. Consider an
elimination/challenge diet or laboratory allergy
test to evaluate.
Your holistic physician can advise you on the
proper procedure for this.
- Labs:
hormone evaluation (sex hormones, serotonin and melatonin)
and food allergy testing are highly recommended.
- Stress reduction is often helpful,
since the hormone changes associated with stress can trigger a
migraine headache.
PRIMARY SUPPORT
Maxi Multi:
3 caps, 3 times per day with meals. Maxi Multi
contains all essential vitamins and minerals in optimal doses.
Vitamins and minerals of particular importance in migraine headaches
include: Magnesium
(often found to be deficient in migraine
sufferers); chromium (a mineral which helps stabilize blood
sugar levels); Vitamin C (needed to convert tryptophan
or L-5-HTP to serotonin); Vitamin B2 (involved in energy
processes in the brain and shown in several studies to decrease
migraine attacks by 60+%); Vitamin B6 (decreases histamine),
and antioxidants (Vitamin A, beta carotene, Vitamin C,
vitamin E, and selenium)
which decrease histamine production. All of these nutrients are
found in
Maxi Multi.
This formula is also an excellent all-around
multiple vitamin & mineral supplement.
Omega 3
Fatty Acids:
Increasing anti-inflammatory fats (Omega-3’s) is very important.
High levels of O-6 and/or trans fats in relation to Omega-3 fats
causes an increase in body-wide inflammation and can trigger the
platelet aggregation seen in migraines. To achieve a healthy "Omega
Ratio," use one of the following:
Flax seed meal,
2 Tablespoons per day with food
OR
Flax seed capsules:
2-4 caps, 3 times per day (target dose range: 6-12 caps per day)
OR
Flax seed oil:
1 tablespoon per day
OR
Max EPA
(Omega-3 rich fish oil): 1-2 caps, 3 times per day with meals
(target dose: 3-6 caps per day).
L-5-HTP (100 mg): 1 cap, 3 times per
day with meals. Increase to 2 caps, 3 times per day after 2 weeks
if needed. L-5-HTP has been studied and found to be more
effective than drug therapy for migraine prevention, with a much
better safety profile. L-5-HTP is the direct
precursor to serotonin and increases serotonin levels in the body.
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT
-
Feverfew: 1 cap, 1-2 times per
day for prevention; 4-8 caps for acute attack. [Use a parthenolide
content of .5 or greater]. Feverfew helps prevent
the release of vasodilating substances from platelets and inhibits
the production of inflammatory substances. The effectiveness of
feverfew depends on the parthenolide (active principal) content of
the formula.
-
Ginkgo:
1 cap, 1-2 times per day for prevention.
Ginkgo inhibits platelet aggregation and has anti-allergy effects.
-
Grape
seed extract: 1 cap (50-100mg),
3 times per day with
meals for prevention. Take higher doses
when migraines are thought to be allergy-related. Grape seed extract
has potent anti-histamine and anti-allergy effects.
-
CoQ10:
50-100mg, 3 times per day with meals.CoQ10 is involved in energy
transport in the brain.
Dr. Myatt's Comment:
Because of the many and various causes of migraine
headache, I recommend an
alternative medicine consultation with
a physician trained in alternative medicines. It
can be difficult and sometimes impossible for a layman to
self-diagnose and treat migraine headaches. With proper medical
assistance, most chronic migraine headaches can be greatly helped or
completely cured.
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