Calcium, Vitamin D And Migraines

Combined calcium and vitamin D supplementation is a common regime to treat or prevent osteoporosis. However, it is possible to get an overdose in calcium, vitamin D or both, which can lead to a condition called hypercalcemia. This means that there is too much calcium in your blood. Hypercalcemia can have several neurological symptoms, such as migraines and headaches.

Calcium, Vitamin D and Migraines Connection

Both vitamin D and calcium are of paramount importance for your bone health. These two nutrients are tightly linked. Vitamin D opens the way for calcium to enter your body quickly and easily because its absorption facilitates and triggers the absorption of calcium in the gut. It is important to monitor the doses of both vitamin D and calcium on a daily basis when you take supplements. Too much calcium coupled with large doses of vitamin D can result in hypercalcemia, which can be followed by strong migraines. Registered dietitian Katherine Zeratsky of the Mayo Clinic reports that the main consequence of vitamin D overdose is the buildup of calcium in the blood. A study published in the journal "The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" proved that even doses of vitamin D five times the upper limit of the recommended allowance are safe.

Neurological Symptoms of Hypercalcemia and Migraines

Hypercalcemia can cause a variety of neurological symptoms. Headaches, dizziness and migraines are common symptoms. Confusion and nausea can also occur. Migraines consist of strong pain or pulsing on one side of your head and are usually accompanied by nausea and vomiting. People who experience migraines often experience sensitivity to light and sound. The Mayo Clinic reports that there are several factors that can trigger or make your migraines worse. Estrogen fluctuation in women, stress, changes in sleep-wake pattern and certain foods, such as alcohol, coffee and salty foods, are all factors that can make migraines worse.

Treatment

Treatment of this condition can be simple. Restricting calcium and vitamin D intake alleviates the symptoms quickly. Hospitalization may be necessary only in severe cases of hypercalcemia. Zeratsky says that once the doses of both vitamin D and calcium are lowered, the patient will experience relief from migraines and most of the symptoms of hypercalcemia.

Recommended Doses

When you take combined calcium and vitamin D supplements, keep your daily intake within the recommended doses for both nutrients. This precaution alone could alleviate you from migraines. For healthy adults, Oregon State University's Linus Pauling Institute recommends up to 1,000 mg per day of calcium. Dr. Mark Hyman, chairman of the Institute for Functional Medicine, prescribes to his patients up to 2,000 mg per day of vitamin D to achieve optimal health. In case of vitamin D deficiency, a regime with higher therapeutic doses of vitamin D is necessary, with the supervision of your physician. Hyman prescribes up to 10,000 mg of vitamin D per day for his deficient patients while monitoring their vitamin D blood levels regularly. When the body's storage of vitamin D is full, your doctor will lower your doses to maintenance levels. When you are taking such high doses of vitamin D, your calcium intake must strictly follow your physician's recommendations.

Calcium, Vitamin D and Migraines