Migraines are headaches that can interrupt your life, as some cases have been known to last for days. Early symptoms might include blind spots or tingling through your body. To help provide relief from migraine headaches, you can supplement your diet with certain vitamin substances that are effective in reducing the severity of migraine conditions.
Causes
Not a lot is known about factors that might contribute to the formation of migraines, but it is understood that certain environmental or genetic factors might lead to migraines. Migraines tend to occur when chemical hormonal imbalances affect levels of serotonin, a hormone that influences your mood. Low levels of serotonin result in change in the trigeminal nerve, which is responsible for feeling pain. Many factors can affect hormone levels, including stress, weather or medications.
Vitamin B12
According to the book "Trigger Point Therapy for Headaches and Migraines," by author Valerie DeLaune, low levels of vitamin B12 in your body may prevent oxygen transfer to your brain, resulting in migraine headaches, as your brain cells will not receive the proper amount of oxygen for them to function. DeLaune adds that vitamin B12 is important for helping to reduce stress, which might be a contributing factor to migraines in some individuals. Good dietary sources of vitamin B12 include fish, eggs, kidney and pork.
Vitamin C
DeLaune says a deficiency in vitamin C might lead to a reduced production of neurotransmitters, which are important for helping your body deal with stress, potentially resulting in migraine headaches. Vitamin C is also an antioxidant vitamin -- acting as a defense against free radicals, which are dangerous by-product molecules that can harm your body. As vitamin C is water-soluble, it's best that you consume it every day through foods such as oranges, turnip greens, blueberries, tomatoes and strawberries.
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 is essential for migraine prevention, as it helps your body make neurotransmitters and also enhances the production of the hormones serotonin and norepinephrine. In addition, Vitamin B6 also aids in normal brain growth and function. Good sources of vitamin B6 include tuna, shrimp, spinach and whole grains.
References
- UMMC: Vitamin B12
- Mayo Clinic: Migraines
- "Trigger Point Therapy for Headaches and Migraines: Your Self-Treatment Workbook for Pain Relief "; Valerie DeLaune; 2008
- UMMC: Vitamin B6
- UMMC: Vitamin C
