A migraine is a type of headache that can cause severe pain, often described as "pulsing" or "throbbing." Although anyone may have a migraine, the National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke says that women are three times more likely to experience migraines than men. Arginine is an amino acid that may help relieve the pain and discomfort of a migraine. Discuss arginine with your doctor to decide if it might be helpful for you.
Causes and Symptoms
Although the exact cause of migraines is still not known, it may involve genetic factors that affect the activity of brain cells. Certain factors can trigger a migraine, including stress or anxiety, lack of sleep, hunger, exposure to bright light or, in women, hormonal changes. Symptoms of a migraine usually include intense head pain, sensitivity to light or sound, and nausea or vomiting. In some people, the first sign of a migraine is an "aura," usually consisting of visual symptoms such as flashing or zigzag lights, or a temporary loss of vision.
Arginine
Your body either manufactures arginine or obtains it from food. It has a number of properties that make it potentially beneficial for your general health and useful in treating a migraine. Your body uses arginine to manufacture a chemical called "nitric oxide." Nitric oxide is an important signaling molecule that causes your arteries to dilate or widen, lowering resistance to the flow of blood and reducing your blood pressure. These and possibly other properties may help arginine reduce the pain associated with migraines.
Evidence
In a clinical trial of arginine as a treatment for migraines, published in the "International Journal of Clinical Pharmacology Research" in 1998, 40 subjects who had experienced migraines took a combination of ibuprofen and arginine or a placebo during two consecutive migraine attacks. Those who took the arginine combination experienced a significant improvement in their pain compared to the placebo group. The authors also concluded that combining ibuprofen with arginine had a more rapid effect than ibuprofen alone.
Recommendations
Food sources of arginine include most nuts and seeds, soy-based foods, legumes and chocolate. Arginine supplements are also available from health food stores in capsules or tablets. Although generally considered safe, arginine supplements may cause some abdominal pain or bloating, as well as nausea or diarrhea. Arginine may interact with some prescription medications, so talk to your doctor before adding it to your routine.
References
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: NINDS Migraine Information Page
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Arginine
- MedlinePlus: L-Arginine
- "International Journal of Clinical Pharmacology Research"; Effectiveness of Ibuprofen-Arginine in the Treatment of Acute Migraine Attakcs; G. Sandrini, et al.; 1998
- MayoClinic.com: Can L-Arginine Supplements Lower Blood Pressure? S. Sheps, M.D.
