the magnesium migraines connection

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Jeff <jeffAfrankel wrote:

mscured From: "Jeff" Wed, 01 Sep 2004 12:49:51 -0000[mscured] So just what is the magnesium migraines connection?So just what is the magnesium migraines connection?Researchers have been investigating the magnesium migraines connection because of magnesium's role in stabilizing blood vessels walls. Magnesium is also an important mineral when it comes to helping you get to sleep. Regular sleeping patterns are also very important to migraine sufferers. Magnesium also helps in protein synthesis, and keeps your bones strong and helps maintain normal nerve and muscle function. It was first suggested that a deficiency in magnesium could cause headaches over 70 years ago. It makes sense, because a lot of the things that cause the body to run short of magnesium

also either trigger migraines or lower your resistance. For example alcohol, stress, and menstruation. Today we know that about half of the people who get migraines are also short of a certain type of magnesium (serum ionized). When faced with a migraine that won't respond to treatment, many headache specialists will give an injection of magnesium. You should be able to get benefits from long term (2-3 months or more) regular magnesium supplements. The magnesium migraines link may make a big difference to many people. Is my magnesium low?Chances are good that you do not have a serious magnesium deficiency. However, there are situations where magnesium can get low. Certain drugs especially can lower your amounts of magnesium, such as diuretics and certain antibiotics. Alcohol may also lower your magnesium levels. Researchers are sharply divided on the need for magnesium in migraineurs. Most believe that

magnesium may play some role in migraine, but some believe that increasing your body's magnesium is THE key in eliminating migraine, even if you don't have a "serious deficiency". Dr. Sarah DeRossett, American neurologist and headache specialist was quoted in July 2003 in support of magnesium, riboflavin and Vitamin B2 for migraine sufferers. "About 15 to 20 percent of the American population is deficient in magnesium, and patients who have migraines have lower blood levels of magnesium than patients who don't have migraines." Read the article here. You would be wise to make sure you're eating plenty of magnesium-rich foods. If your magnesium is very low, your doctor may suggest a supplement or injections, or even intravenous treatment. Magnesium migraines treatment is becoming more and more popular with migraine sufferers. Normal adults require about 310-420mg of magnesium daily. Be aware that too much

magnesium can cause side effects, and that there are different types of magnesium, which is why it is wise to be monitored by a doctor before you drastically raise your magnesium levels through supplements. Check out this article for some of the complexities of the magnesium migraines connection ... Symptoms of low magnesium...Magnesium is important to the body, and so low magnesium can cause a host of problems, such as:irregular heartbeats, loss of appetite, insomnia (a killer for migraineurs!), weakness, shortness of breath, PMS, anxiety, dizziness, nausea, and poor coordination. What can I eat to boost my magnesium?First, try to cut down on the processed food you eat. Processed food is prepared in such a way that it cuts down the magnesium. Magnesium is found in many foods, but some of the best include wheat germ, beans, soy products, whole grains, seafood, dark green leafy vegetables, bananas and

milk. Magnesium migraines and the BIG PICTURESo many migraine treatments have to be seen as part of the big picture. One thing effects the other. Researchers are more and more realizing that the interaction of various things in your body need to be taken into consideration when it comes to migraine – the way chemicals react together, the way various organs work with the nervous system. That's why migraineurs need to try combinations of treatments. There may be a magnesium migraines treatment that involves more than just taking magnesium itself. One of the more popular proponents of magnesium supplements, Dr. Alexander Mauskop, is the director of the New York Headache Center. He writes in his book What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Migraines that he has found a treatment that is remarkably effective using magnesium, vitamin B2 and feverfew. He makes a good case for the magnesium migraines link and has backed up

his opinion with good research. Dr Barton M Alturn, professor of physiology and medicine at the State University of New York Health Science Center also writes about the magnesium migraines connection (quoted in Nature's Medicines ): We believe that everyone should be taking 500-600 milligrams of magnesium a day in a combination of diet and supplements. What kind of magnesium should I buy?So you've decided that you'd like to try a magnesium supplement, you know there's a magnesium migraines link, but there are dozens out there - which should you try? Certain types of magnesium are not well absorbed by the body. Too much magnesium, particularly the wrong kinds of magnesium, can cause diarrhea and simply make your mineral deficiency worse. Also, remember to take magnesium for at least 60-90 days to see if it makes a difference. If your body isn't absorbing magnesium well, try avoid these types of

magnesium: Oxide, hydroxide, and chloride. Instead, look for magnesium types that end in "ate", particularly glycinate, but also gluconate, lactate and orotate. Note: Very often two or more types of magnesium are combined, such as oxide and citrate. The best thing is to simply talk to your doctor and then try one kind and see how your body handles it. Source Naturals has an excellent supplement which contains 400mg of magnesium, which many doctors suggest as a good amount for migraineurs to take. It's called Ultra-Mag Magnesium complex. A very good supplement for migraine containing magnesium and other migraine-fighting componants is MigreLiefWhat Your Doctor May NOT Tell You About Migraines ( Mauskop & Fox )A review of the book by Dr Alexander Mauskop and Dr Barry FoxThis review of the book by Mauskop is based on an article that originally appeared in the September 2003 edition of HeadWay.

Two things put me off this book right away. First, Dr. Mauskop is promoting a specific product, MigreLief (although I appreciated the fact that he noted this right at the start). Second, the back cover told me that I was about to read about a "seven-step program". When it comes to migraine, a very complicated problem with an unknown cause, I'm very suspicious about "programs" that make great claims. I almost didn't even read the book. When I finally picked up a copy to read, I found out that it wasn't just a sales pitch and another miracle program. If it is a sales pitch, it's a very gentle one backed up by good data. Mauskop's "seven-step program" is simply some very practical advice organized in a practical way, not a new miracle cure. Some of his tips you've heard before, probably many you haven't, but they're excellent. In fact, this book is quickly rising to the top of my list of migraine books.

Here's why:* The information is practical and down to earth* It's backed up by both experience and research* It offers a description of a wide variety of treatment ideas, not just a few of the author's pet ideas* It explains things more clearly than any other book on migraine I've read* It's organized well enough to make a great reference on the shelfI especially enjoyed reading his numerous tips on eliminating environmental triggers (chapter 7). He talks about everything from pets to dust to humidity to ions. Mauskop even goes into the various drug treatments, although his focus is generally elsewhere. Although the authors do recommend MigreLief (a combination of feverfew, magnesium and riboflavin, formerly known as Migra-Lieve), they also point out that you can purchase all these supplements separately at your local drug store or online. They offer good reasons for what they're suggesting, and really

this only takes up a small portion of the book. If you want a good well rounded discussion of today's migraine treatments and home remedies, give this one a chance. You'll probably learn quite a few things about your headaches that you didn't know before! I'm looking forward to taking a closer look at his 9 suggestions for avoiding pollution, his 6 suggestions for cutting back stress, his 5 suggestions for avoiding migraines at high altitudes, and so on and so on... About the authorsDr Alexander Mauskop is the director of the New York Headache Clinic, and also the author of The Headache Alternative: A Neurologist's Guide to Drug-Free Relief by Fox and Mauskop. Dr Barry Fox, health writer and speaker, has also co-written The 20/30 Fat & Fiber Diet Plan: The Weight-Reducing, Health-Promoting Nutrition System for Life with Dr. Gabe Mirkin. He is the author of numerous other books on topics such as

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