Sacramento Bee (CA)
08-19-13
Suffering from migraine headaches and can’t find a cure? There may be natural remedies that may help. Here are some holistic interventions that have been shown to reduce migraines.
Feverfew: In supplement form _ as long as it contains at least 0.2 percent parthenolides _ 100 to 150 milligrams a day may work in reducing migraines. Feverfew has been shown to be effective in numerous studies for migraine prevention.
Butterbur: A small 2004 study found that patients who took 75 milligrams of butterbur twice daily had around 50 percent fewer migraines, compared with a 25 percent decrease experienced by people given only a placebo. The chemicals in butterbur are thought to decrease muscle spasms and inflammation in the blood vessels of the brain, which can cause headaches,
Ginger: Ginger can help in two ways _ as an anti-inflammatory and as an anti-nausea medication. Fresh ginger appears to work the best; you can try to smell freshly crushed ginger for nausea, or steep some in hot water for a tea. Ginger ale, unfortunately, does not work for migraines.
Caffeine: Caffeine can both worsen and improve a headache, so use this remedy wisely. Caffeine-rebound headaches are common sources of migraines, but a cup of tea or coffee may help relieve a migraine.
Magnesium: According to a study by the University of Maryland, people with migraines often have lower levels of magnesium than those who don’t have migraines. Studies suggest that magnesium may reduce frequency by more than 40 percent, compared with 15 percent in those who took a placebo. Other studies suggest magnesium may be particularly helpful for women with menstrual migraines. Starting doses can be 200 to 600 milligrams per day.
Riboflavin (Vitamin B2): Some studies show that this vitamin may also be helpful in reducing the frequency of migraines at a dose of 400 milligrams a day. Note that riboflavin can interfere with some medications such as antidepressants, anti-seizure drugs and medications for gout.
Exercise: Researchers found that aerobic exercise was as effective at preventing migraines as the preventive migraine medication topiramate. In a 2011 randomized, controlled study from the University of Gothenburg in Sweden, some patients in the three-month study exercised on a stationary bike three times per week for 40 minutes, while others took topiramate. The exercisers and drug group were equally effective in reducing migraines, but 33 percent of topiramate users also experienced adverse side effects of the medication.
5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP): Research by the Harvard Medical School and the Natural standard suggests that 5-HTP may be particularly effective in reducing both the severity and frequency of migraine headaches. This is thought to work as 5-HTP increases the body’s production of serotonin, and low serotonin levels have been associated with migraines. Supplementation is at 200 to 600 milligrams a day on 5-HTP for migraine prevention.
Coenzyme Q10: This antioxidant may help prevent migraines. Studies, including a double-blind, randomized trial showed that more than 60 percent of patients who took 150 milligrams of CoQ10 daily experienced a 50 percent or better reduction in the number of days with migraines.
If you have new-onset headaches, a change in frequency or intensity, or any neurological symptoms, you should speak with your doctor before trying any remedies. A new or increasing headache may be a sign of an underlying medical problem, and needs to be evaluated prior to chronic treatment for presumed migraines.
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(Drs. Kay Judge and Maxine Barish-Wreden are medical directors of Sutter Downtown Integrative Medicine program in Sacramento, Calif. Have a question related to alternative medicine? Email fitness@sacbee.com.)
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