Supplementing with relatively small amounts of riboflavin (vitamin B2) may reduce the severity and frequency of migraines in chronic sufferers, reports a study in Headache (2004;44:885?90). Previous studies showing that riboflavin can prevent migraines used 400 mg per day, which is at least 200 times the amount in a typical diet. In the new study, 25 mg per day appeared to be effective.
Riboflavin was originally considered for migraine prevention because researchers observed that migraine sufferers tend to have impaired energy production in brain cells, which riboflavin has the potential to enhance as it is a component of a key substance involved in the body's energy production. Magnesium, another nutrient important for producing energy, has already been shown to reduce migraine recurrence. In earlier studies with riboflavin, a very high dose was chosen, presumably to give the vitamin the best chance of working. While riboflavin does not appear to cause any significant adverse effects even at high doses, it is possible that taking large amounts of any single nutrient might cause subtle imbalances in body chemistry. For that reason, if lower doses are equally effective, they are preferable to higher amounts.
Fifty-two people suffering from recurrent migraines participated in the three-month study. They were randomly assigned to receive either a daily combination of riboflavin (400 mg), magnesium (300 mg), and the herb feverfew (100 mg), or 25 mg of riboflavin per day. Each of the three components of the combination product has been shown in earlier research to reduce the recurrence rate of migraines. A positive response was defined as a reduction in the frequency of migraines by 50% or more. Forty-two percent of participants responded to combination therapy and forty-four percent responded to low-dose riboflavin. In addition, the average headache severity and the number of days with tension headaches decreased significantly in the low-dose-riboflavin group, but not in the group receiving combination therapy.
Because there was no control group in the new study, one cannot rule out the possibility that the beneficial effects of low-dose riboflavin were due to a placebo effect. However, the researchers considered that possibility unlikely, because the effects of riboflavin were greater than those found with a placebo in previous migraine studies.
In addition to riboflavin, magnesium, and feverfew, coenzyme Q10 has been found in one preliminary trial to reduce the recurrence rate of migraines.
Dietary factors also appear to be important migraine triggers in susceptible people. For some, tyramine-containing foods such as certain wines and aged cheeses are the main offenders. For others, allergic reactions to common foods such as wheat, oranges, egg, coffee, tea, and beef seem to be the main triggers.
Vitamin Herb University is the premier online course and informational resource for dietary supplements, supplement reviews, vitamin information, herb information, and drug herb interaction.
Moderate amounts of vitamin E in the diet can protect... Read More
OK, first let's get something straight here...If you think that... Read More
I recently heard of an older couple that eats salmon... Read More
Xango is a brand new health and dietary supplement. It... Read More
"High-dose pharmaceutical-grade fish oil is as close to a medical... Read More
Americans are buzzing about the FDA's recent decision to reverse... Read More
Tribulus terrestris is a herb that comes from a plant... Read More
Many years ago I became convinced of the need to... Read More
You probably know that ladies who are planning on having... Read More
The food is the raw material for the body. Minerals... Read More
Once again the "wisdom" of the FDA and the supplement... Read More
No Money in PreventionI have been recommending a wide variety... Read More
For people who suffer from arthritis, dependable pain relief is... Read More
There are two basic types of constipation - organic and... Read More
The ancient Egyptians had a cure for "night blindness". They... Read More
Vitamins, like minerals, are an essential part of the function... Read More
Myocardial infarction is a technical term used to describe an... Read More
Over the years, amino acid usage has become more and... Read More
Coenzyme Q10 (also known as ubiquinone, but most widely referred... Read More
Part 1:A "better nutritional program" means the introduction of foods... Read More
If you break the word apart, Nutra has to do... Read More
Coral Calcium is an excellent source of readily accessible and... Read More
It's never too late to change your habits, and if... Read More
What Is Nitric Oxide (NO)?Nitric oxide (NO) is produced by... Read More
Some say that the benefits of this all-natural HGH releaser... Read More
A lot of people take vitamins A, C, B and... Read More
Nutritional vitamin fiber supplements come in a variety of types,... Read More
1. Most of the modern western diets contain way too... Read More
Rhodiola rosea is available commercially as a supplement and rhodiola... Read More
In September 2004 Orange County, California published an article "OC... Read More
Lysine is an essential amino acid therefore it must be... Read More
Vitamin B6 plays a facilitating role in the immune system... Read More
Many people find that after a few weeks, the gains... Read More
The last year hasn't been a good one for vitamin... Read More
"High-dose pharmaceutical-grade fish oil is as close to a medical... Read More
Most people understand the concept of vitamin and mineral supplementation,... Read More
Myocardial infarction is a technical term used to describe an... Read More
Ever wondered whether amino acid supplements really work? We reveal... Read More
The body is just mind-bogglingly amazing. I mean, when you... Read More
Americans are buzzing about the FDA's recent decision to reverse... Read More
Carbohydrate blockers seem to have come and gone with the... Read More
A lot of people take vitamins A, C, B and... Read More
Coral Calcium is an excellent source of readily accessible and... Read More
GlutImmune? is a very convenient high absorption source of glutamine.... Read More
Hyaluronic acid has received much press lately as a natural... Read More
Nutrients form the basis for your body, emotional and spiritual... Read More
VITAMINS:Vitamins are major for Healthy life. Vitamin D may reduce... Read More
Sports Supplement ? what is it?We are all aware of... Read More
Flavones are the latest big supplement to hit the market.... Read More
Hormones are chemical messengers made up of amino acids and... Read More
As consumers, we are faced daily with choices about what... Read More
If you suffer from arthritis pain, chances are you've heard... Read More
Colloidal Silver might just be a wonderful thing and here's... Read More
Part 1:A "better nutritional program" means the introduction of foods... Read More
Every minute of every day the cells of our... Read More
When you buy acid amino arginine you can look forward... Read More
Antioxidant vitamins perform many important tasks that our bodies benefits... Read More
Recently a television health expert was discussing the topic, "How... Read More
Nitric Oxide, a gas that occurs naturally in the body,... Read More
This article will reveal one easy change you can make... Read More
The real facts about Vitamin C may surprise you. First... Read More
Vitamin B6 plays a facilitating role in the immune system... Read More
Vitamins, minerals and other nutrients are essential to the health... Read More
Iron supplement - why iron?Why people need to use iron... Read More
Vitamin B is no small time player in the high... Read More
How can I improve my health and lifestyle beyond diet... Read More
Nutritional Supplements |