Migraines: How You Can Manage & Prevent Them

What is a migraine? It’s more than just a regular headache. It is an attack of severe head pain that generally lasts for hours but can persist for days.

Migraines are usually accompanied by sensory symptoms, including:

• flashes of light
• blind spots
• tingling in the arms and legs
• nausea
• vomiting
• increased sensitivity to light and sound

Natural ways to reduce Migraines

It is important to address the below causes of migraine headaches, however there is a way to stop migraines in their tracks. ALL migraine sufferers have one thing in common. Elevated inflammation levels and each of the below causes trigger elevated inflammation. By reducing inflammation levels naturally you can fast track elimination migraines. MSP Magnesium Sleep Pain is the product that can do this for you. 

• Spinal imbalances. One of the most common causes of migraine headaches is spinal issues. Seeing a good osteopath or chiropractor is important for long term success.
  
  
• Hormonal. If you migraines get worse with changes in your hormones then this should also be addressed. Happy Hormones is a good all round hormonal regulator.
  
  
• Nutrients and herbs can also be helpful. Magnesium is a very common deficiency in migraine sufferers. Most magnesiums available are not well absorbed. MSP contains copper which is the secret mineral to ensure magnesium can actually be utilised in the body. The amino acid glycine is also another important nutrient for migraines as it improves detoxification of chemicals in the liver.
  
  
• Limit your caffeine intake – drink less coffee and no energy drinks or sodas. Many migraine sufferers are sensitive to caffeine.

• Nourish your adrenals. Neurotransmitters are hormones in the nervous system (such as serotonin, epinephrine, norepinephrine, GABA and dopamine) that regulate mood and sleep. Make sure to be aware of and manage your stress levels. MSP nourishes the adrenals along with our Happy Calm product. 

Diet essentials for migraine prevention

• Eat a diet free of processed foods. Choose organic whenever possible to avoid preservatives, pesticides, and other substances that disrupt hormone balance. Our latest HAPPY HEALTHY YOU Book is a great guideline to follow.
  
  
• Try eating at least five servings of vegetables and two servings of fruit each day. Dark green and leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale, and collards have been shown to help in memory recall and other mental functions.
  
  
• Stay well hydrated. Drink filtered water when possible.
  
  
• Load up on berries that are packed with antioxidants like blueberries, blackberries, cranberries, and strawberries. Fresh or frozen, they reduce oxidative stress and add vital nutrients.
  
  
• Avoid saturated and trans fats and choose healthy vegetarian fats such as organic olive oil.
  
  
• Choose foods high in Vitamin C like red peppers, citrus, pine nuts, and seeds. These foods are also great for skin protection, leading to fewer wrinkles and less skin dryness overall.
  
  
• Boost your omega-3s, a beneficial fatty acid found in fish oil, walnuts, sesame, hemp, and flaxseed oils.
  
  
• Add some spice to your diet with herbs that have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Turmeric (curcumin), garlic, rosemary, and cayenne are great choices.
  

Possible triggers of migraines

Genetics are thought to sometimes play a role in chronic migraines. People who have migraines tend to have a combination of factors that trigger their headaches. In addition to fluctuations in hormones, these can include:

• food intolerances (gluten is a big one)
• skipping meals
• getting too much or too little sleep
• intense lights, sounds, or smells
• severe weather changes
• alcoholic beverages (especially red wine) and sulfites
• too much caffeine or caffeine withdrawal
• stress
• processed meats, hard sausages, and smoked fish
• monosodium glutamate (MSG)
• aged cheeses (contain a compound called tyramine which can trigger headaches)
• soy products such as hydrolysed vegetable protein
• artificial sweeteners such as aspartame
• chemicals and toxins (perfumes, cleaner, and plastics can be triggers)

Summary

If you can address the underlying causes of your migraine headaches in combination with reducing your INFLAMMATION levels you can fast track resolution of your migraines. Reach out to our practitioner team via email or chat if you have any questions.

REFERENCES

Boehnke C, Reuter U, Flach U, Schuh-Hofer S, Einhäupl KM, Arnold G. High-dose riboflavin treatment is efficacious in migraine prophylaxis: an open study in a tertiary care centre. European Journal of Neurology. 2004 Jul;11(7):475-7.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15257686/

Özön AÖ, Karadaş Ö and Özge A. Efficacy of Diet Restriction on Migraines. Noro Psikiyatri Arsivi. 2018 Sep; 55(3): 233–237.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6138234/

Goschorska M, Gutowska I, Baranowska-Bosiacka I, Barczak K and Chlubek D. The Use of Antioxidants in the Treatment of Migraine. Antioxidants (Basel). 2020 Feb; 9(2): 116.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7070237/