A migraine is an intense headache that can last for hours or days. Symptoms are often so severe that a person suffering from one is often unable to function properly and needs to rest in a dark room until the pain starts to subside. A number of minerals and vitamins, including coenzyme Q10, magnesium and riboflavin might help to prevent a migraine but they are unlikely to be as effective as prescription migraine treatments. Ask your doctor whether taking these compounds is likely to be beneficial for you.
Coenzyme Q10
The results of a clinical study published in the March 2002 issue of "Cephalalgia" show that coenzyme Q10 helps to reduce migraine attack frequency. Specifically, 61.3 percent of patients that took 150 mg daily experienced a 50 percent reduction in the number of headache days. A vitamin-like substance synthesized in the liver, CoQ10 is also found in some foods including meat and fish and is also available as a dietary supplement. The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that 100 mg three times daily is sometimes used to help prevent migraines.
Magnesium
An article published in the March 2009 issue of "Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics" notes that magnesium is an safe and inexpensive prophylactic migraine treatment. One of the most abundant minerals in the body, magnesium might help to prevent migraines by altering the release of neurotransmitters in the brain, the article notes. Magnesium is in a variety of foods including potatoes, halibut, peanuts and lentils. It is also available as a dietary supplement. Although magnesium is sometimes administered intravenously to treat a migraine, do not attempt to do this yourself.
Riboflavin
The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that taking 400 mg of riboflavin, also known as vitamin B-2, might help to prevent a migraine, but adds that research to prove this is mixed. MedlinePlus, notes that it may help to reduce migraine frequency, but adds that there is no evidence to show it can reduce migraine pain.
Safety Considerations
Although riboflavin, coenzyme Q10 and magnesium supplements are available over-the-counter, keep in mind that they might cause side effects or may be unsuitable for you. For example, coenzyme Q10 may cause mild side effects including an upset stomach and headaches, while taking a magnesium supplement might cause abdominal cramping and diarrhea. Discuss the risks versus benefits of taking these supplement with your doctor.
References
- MayoClinic.com; Migraine; June 2011
- "Cephalalgia"; Open Label Trial of Coenzyme Q10 as Migraine Preventive; T.D. Rozen, et al.; March 2002
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Migraine Headache
- MedlinePlus: Coenzyme Q-10
- "Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics"; Role of Magnesium in the Pathogenesis and Treatment of Migraine; C. Sun-Edelstein, et al.; March 2009
- Office of Dietary Supplements: Magnesium
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