Migraines caused by a lack of this essential nutrient
Anyone who regularly suffers migraines can tell you just how painful and debilitating they can be, given there are very few effective treatments. However, researchers may have just found the reason why some people are more sensitive to these dreaded headaches than others, and the answer lies in your diet.
Magnesium is a nutrient crucial for a number of health reasons, but particularly when it comes to supporting the nervous system, immunity and bone strength. And now, scientists believe there’s a strong link between low levels of magnesium and migraine risk.
“Migraine is widely thought of as a disorder of brain excitability,” Dr Richard Lipton of the American Migraine Foundation told SELF. “That means that under the right circumstances, attacks can be triggered – drinking a lot of red wine, not getting enough sleep, a woman’s period – because the nervous system is sensitive.
“The thought is that when levels of magnesium are low, that makes nerve cells more prone to release excitatory chemicals like glutamate and that might contribute to the state of brain excitability in general.”
As a result of a more excitable brain, Dr Lipton says, our risk of migraine increases. To lower the chances of an attack, he recommends aiming for a magnesium intake of 500mg a day, whether through diet or supplements.
Unfortunately, though you might be tempted to reach for the dark chocolate (which is high in magnesium), Dr Lipton warns chocolate can actually be a trigger for migraines. Instead, you should opt for sources like leafy greens, pepitas, almonds, avocados and figs.
Tell us in the comments below, do you suffer migraines? What’s the most effective treatment you’ve found?
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