Magnesium is a type of micronutrient found in the body that is essential for energy synthesis. According to the Linus Pauling Institute, low levels of magnesium are associated with migraine headaches. The institute adds tha, migraines affect women three times as often as men, with approximately 17 percent of women and 5.6 percent of men seeking treatment. Low magnesium levels can affect the frequency of migraines, and magnesium supplements are an option for possible migraine treatment.
Identification
Magnesium is taken in through the diet. It is responsible for helping to regulate the body's metabolism, which is how your body creates energy. It is also essential for the cells to be able to use other minerals such as potassium and calcium. According to the Linus Pauling Institute, the recommended daily amount of magnesium intake for adults 19 to 30 years is 400 mg a day for men and 310 mg daily for women. Over the age of 31, men should have 420 mg daily and women should have 320 mg.
Causes
Low levels of magnesium may occur due to low dietary intake or difficulties with absorption. High intakes of some nutrients such as zinc and fiber may interfere with how your body uses magnesium, affecting how much it absorbs and causing low levels. Some people that have disorders such as Celiac disease may have problems absorbing magnesium; and people with kidney problems may have difficulty maintaining magnesium levels because the body may excrete too much. In addition to headaches, other signs of low magnesium include muscle spasms, poor appetite, nausea and vomiting.
Migraines
Migraines are a severe type of headache that cause extreme pain, nausea and alterations in vision. They are often preceded by symptoms -- including restlessness, irritability, loss of appetite and vision disturbances -- that warn of an impending headache. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, people who suffer from migraines may have lower overall levels of magnesium in the bloodstream.
Treatment
The University of Michigan Health System recommends taking 200 mg of magnesium two to three times daily to help reduce your number of migraine attacks. Check with your doctor before taking magnesium supplements to treat a migraine headache, as it may interfere with some medications, including some antibiotics, blood pressure medications, diuretics and hormone replacement.
Diet
Maintaining a diet that meets the recommended daily allowance of magnesium may help to reduce the frequency of headaches. Sources of dietary magnesium include whole grains, including wheat flour, oat bran and shredded wheat; nuts such as almonds, cashews, pine nuts and black walnuts; vegetables such as spinach, beet greens and baked potatoes with skin; and some spices, including fennel, dill, dried mustard, basil and sage.
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