If you want a pretty much fail-proof method of how to prevent period migraines, consider the use of magnesium. Magnesium, of course falls in the category of vitamins and minerals necessary for your health, and it’s taken as a supplement to get benefits such as migraine reduction.
In 2014, the journal headache offered its readers an article titled, Headache Toolbox: Menstrual Migraine. The researchers recommended that those who wanted to stop menstrual migraines keep a diary of your headaches, while simultaneously following your menstrual cycle in the diary. They specifically listed magnesium as the #2 treatment.
The journal Neurological Science in 2012 had an article titled, Premenstrual Syndrome and Migraine as well. In this article from scientists at the University of Turin in Italy, they mentioned natural remedies that had evidence backing them for preventing menstrual migraines. The number 1 natural remedy was magnesium.
But it was the journal Medical Hypotheses in 2011 that provides the real answer to the question of why magnesium is the answer to menstrual migraines. According to the researchers, magnesium and vitamin B6 modulates the level of nitric oxide in the cell, both of which are deficient in those with migraines. Magnesium is essential for the removal of trapped nitric oxide from within the cell which does not occur under low magnesium levels. The trapped nitric oxide reacts with other free radicals and creates additional damaging free radicals.
Foods To Help Prevent Migraines (High In Magnesium)
Although the easiest way to get more magnesium in is to simply take a 400-500 mg supplement once a day, or two 300 mg magnesium supplements – one in the morning and one in the evening, you can also get the mineral in your diet with foods you eat.
Here’s a list of several high magnesium foods:
- Dark leafy greens – kale, spinach, Swiss chard
- Nuts and seeds – pumpkin, almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, sesame seeds, flaxseeds, sunflower seeds
- Broccoli
- Peas
6 Other Ways to Prevent Migraine Before or After Your Period
Take a look at some of these other methods recommended by the researchers.
1. Phytoestrogens
You can’t escape eating the fruits and vegetables your mother told you to eat when you were a child.
2. Ginkgo – Take 2 capsules twice daily. This is the recommendation of one of the researchers mentioned above.
3. Eliminate the zinc deficiency. In one study of 30 people with migraines, 75 mg zinc sulfate taken daily for six weeks along with 1 capsule B complex and one capsule of vitamin A or vitamin E (for the first 10 days only) almost cured all 30 people.
4. Find out what your deficiencies are by getting a hair analysis and blood mineral analysis. This is what the researchers from the Medical Hypothesis study recommend. This test gives you the realities of what’s happening with your nutritional status. If you really want to prevent migraine before or during period, get the necessary tests done once and for all.
5. Try a period vitamin. This is a vitamin mineral herbal supplement designed to support your body during its monthly cycle. It’s designed for women who have their periods.
6. Try a 5 mg melatonin supplement once daily at night before bed for a month.
There are many solutions. Get to work!
Sources:
Tepper, D.E. Headache toolbox: menstrual migraine. Headache. 2014 Feb; 54(2): 403-408.
Allais, G., et al. Premenstrual syndrome and migraine. Neurol Sci 2012 May; 33 Suppl 1: S111-5.
Dhillon, K.S., Singh, J. and Lyall, J.S. A new horizon into the pathobiology, etiology and treatment of migraine. Med Hypotheses 2011 Jul; 77(1): 147-51.
