Magnesium treatment

Just found this - thought it was worth adding - what's really interesting is that says that Magnesium is a calcium channel blocker - hmmmmm so is Flurarazine - which is the medication shown to have the best results in reducing migraine - I certainly had good results with it.

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Migraine Treatment Must Include Magnesium

Magnesium Does More Than REDUCE STRESS

Magnesium is often referred to as the "antistress" mineral. It is a kind of natural tranquilizer. While calcium stimulates muscle contraction, magnesium relaxes them. Magnesium is also thought to dilate the blood vessels.

Since stress is one of the biggest migraine triggers, this role by itself is important. But magnesium does more, helping to prevent migraines both directly and indirectly:

Magnesium is an alkaline mineral necessary for EVERY major biochemical process, including:

production and transfer of energy
metabolism of proteins, fats and carbohydrates
Both of these are necessary for the healthy functioning of the brain.

It is also vital for proper functioning of the nervous system -- clearly important in migraine prevention -- as well as for the functioning of the heart, and for muscle and bone strength.

Magnesium is also a calcium blocker, which gives it a central role in brain chemistry and preventing a migraine.

These are major reasons why successful migraine treatments must include sufficient magnesium for the body.


Where Does The Body Store Magnesium?


About 65% of the magnesium in our bodies is contained in the bones and teeth. The remaining 35% is contained in the muscles (25%) blood, other body fluids, and other tissues -- including the brain.

Migraine treatments that ignore the importance of magnesium can put you at risk. Why? When the body needs magnesium for its chemical reactions and does not get sufficient dietary magnesium, it will leach them out of these storage places in your body. Directly or indirectly, this lack of magnesium can lead to migraines and other damage.


What Foods Contain This Mineral?

Magnesium is a key component of chlorophyll, the pigment of plants. Migraine treatments would therefore include dark green vegetables (like spinach, broccoli) in the diet -- since all are good sources of magnesium. Also recommended: most nuts (almonds, peanuts, cashews), whole grains, seeds (sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds) and fruits like avocados, bananas, raisins.


What Keeps Us From Getting Enough Magnesium?


It is difficult to get enough dietary magnesium because soils are becoming depleted in many nutrients. Also contributing to magnesium deficiencies are these items in our diet: supplemental vitamin D and calcium, dietary phosphorus, and refined or processed carbohydrates. Magnesium loss is also caused by alcohol, caffeine, and sugar. This is important to know because some migraine treatments -- including over the counter medications -- contain caffeine. Migraine is often helped by eliminating toxins like these from your diet and thus from your body.


To Supplement Or Not To Supplment
(That Is The Question)

If you do not get enough of this mineral in food, migraine treatments may include a magnesium supplement. Be sure you find out: how absorbable is the supplement? Magnesium chelated with amino acids -- like magnesium aspartate or magnesium citrate -- is probably the most absorbable form.

Magnesium is also needed for proper calcium absorption. Normally (when taken as supplements) calcium and magnesium are taken in a 2:1 ratio (calcium:magnesium) so they are both properly absorbed. (Note that excessive magnesium inhibits calcium absorption and excessive calcium inhibits magnesium absorption.)


What Is The Best Way To Take Supplements?
(If You Do Not Absorb It, It Does You No Good)

Magnesium (like calcium) is an alkaline mineral. It requires an acidic stomach environment for best absorption. Migraine treatments with magnesium recommend taking magnesium between meals or on an empty stomach, especially with a little vitamin C as ascorbic acid. Another good time to take it: bedtime. Two additional benefits of taking it at bedtime: an increased utilization of magnesium; and people tend to sleep better after taking it.


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Writer Sandra S. Feder had migraines for years. She found 5 areas of imbalance that were connected to her headaches. Stop Migraine Symptoms Naturally is the book she wrote, showing step by step how she stopped her headaches. Read about this book, or sign up for her FREE e-course: 6 Nuggets Of Migraine Help at the website: http://www.avoidamigraine.com

Just wanted to add that I have been taking magnesuim and zinc supplements now for a month and yes I have benefitted from it.

I missed about fours days dosage last week and I went down hill rapidly. Luckily I seem to respond to it very quickly and with a couple of days back on it my pain diminished again.

Today I felt my pain getting worse so I took a supplement, had 30 mins rest and felt a lot better (I realised I had forgotten it so I can't claim any memory improvements lol).

I know I will never be pain free but any improvement on my daily pain and other symptoms is always very welcome. In addition I have been unwell with my other health problems for a few weeks and have been under tremendous stress..so any benefit at all is frankly quite astounding.

Needless to say I have just gone and got another large bottle of the stuff and would definitely recommend people giving this a go. Frankly is less invasive than many other things I have tried.

Good luck
JAne
x

..I seem to be being 'frank' quite a bit today...frankly it's rather irritating..my apologies..maybe I have found a side effect..over usage of the 'frank' word....I also noticed a profusion of 'l's' in my other post tonight..it's an 'l' of a problem apparently...

Sorry I will go elsewhere and explore my new 'frank-ness'...

Jane

Well 'frankly' I think your right.......

I forgot my supplements yesterday and I was a complete mess this morning

I have looked at my chart and one week after starting the magnesium and zinc (in high doses) my pain level went down and energy went up. I am still a little shocked that I am not sleeping everyday.... I used to have an afternoon nap almost everyday since last December and now i am average twice a week

Am considering adding the B12 after I have finished the Botox trial - Dr S does not want me to add anything else; so we get a true pic of how the Botox has worked - which is fair enough

September 27th, 2011 - Posted by Dr. Alex Mauskop

Question: How is magnesium used to help with migraines? How do I know if I’m deficient and how much should I take? What are the side effects?

Migraine is known to have a strong genetic component, but what exactlyis wrong with the genes varies widely from person to person. One of the possible problems is genetic difficulty in absorbing magnesium.

Our research done at SUNY – Downstate showed that up to 50% of migraine sufferers and 40% of those with cluster headaches are deficient in magnesium. In addition to genetic reasons for magnesium deficiency, stress, alcohol, chronic illness, poor diet, gastro-intestinal disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome, can cause depletion of magnesium.

Magnesium is an essential element that is vital to the function of every cell in the body. It regulates literally hundreds of chemical reactions, modulates the function of various cell receptors, helps open and close blood vessels, and performs many other functions. Changes in some of these receptors (serotonin, NMDA, and others) and blood vessel constriction are intimately involved in the development of migraine headaches. Our research also showed that a regular blood test is completely unreliable.

So, how do you know if you are deficient and should take a supplement? Here are some other signs of magnesium deficiency: cold hands and feet or just feeling colder than other people around you, muscle cramps in your legs or feet, which often occur at night, and PMS symptoms in women. But you may be deficient even if you don’t have these additional symptoms and since there is little downside in taking a magnesium supplement, it may be worth a try.

It may take a month or two of daily intake of about 400-500 mg of magnesium oxide or chelated magnesium, before headaches improve. Magnesium can cause is diarrhea or stomach upset, so it should be always taken with food. People with impaired kidney function (you would know if you had it) should not take magnesium supplements without their doctor’s permission.

Magnesium can interfere with absorption of some antibiotics and other medications, so if you are taking prescription drugs it is important to talk to your doctor. Some people do not absorb enough magnesium even if they take a daily supplement, which we can tell if they get diarrhea or if their symptoms do not improve. We give these patients an intravenous infusion of magnesium and if it is effective, we repeat them monthly. We also give infusions for severe attacks and if the person is deficient, magnesium will provide immediate and dramatic relief. We also use the infusion as a test – if it helps, then a deficiency is probably present and taking an oral supplement may also help.

Even patients suffering from chronic daily headaches sometimes have complete relief of their headaches from magnesium, although more often magnesium alone is not sufficient and we also need to give Botox injections, other supplements, such as CoQ10, biofeedback, and medications.

http://migraine.com/blog/expert-featured-article/expert-answers/magnesium-for-migraine/

Just been sent this : http://www.news-press.com/article/20111102/ENT07/111020326/1020/COLUMNISTS04/Old-grains-new-again?odyssey=nav%7Chead

Its quite long - but mentions Quinoa

Migraine sufferers are also taking note of quinoa as it has about half the daily requirement of magnesium in one serving.

I am back on the higher nature magnesium and feeling the effects

Just read that malic acid is promotes the intake and proper absorption of magnesium,and boosts energy levels at the same time. Just wondered if any one had tried this?

Yes, that's what I take, Tee - magnesium malate. I find it better than any other magnesiums I've tried, but I haven't ever tried the one you are on, for fear of the yeast.

I am now taking the magnesium, butterbur and feverfew. This combo I have had for a week and I am feeling better.
However I must add I have been given a new drug called duloxotine to take along with the mirtazapine. Both are new type noradrenaline reuptakers and both are thought to help neuro pain.

I think it's a combo of everything. I went swimming with the school today and for the 1st time every I didn't need painkillers ..and believe me the noise is horrendous! Lots of little excited children squealing in echoy baths...nicccceee...

I'll keep you posted. Next month I will knock off the supplements to see if it's them that's helping or a combo of everything.

Jane
x

Ps It's the serotonin levels that the prescription drugs work on.

ahhhhhh never thought it would already be in them!!!!

I have just looked at the ones here and they do mention an amino acid but not which one - I am supose to be allegic to yeast (so the York Test say) but I do not have a problem with these and in fact my tummy is better with them.............. this prompted me to ask how can this be............ interesting response..


Some people have an allergic response to yeast but the allergen which causes an allergic response is a protein on the yeast cell wall and when broken down the proteins abllity to evoke an allergic response is gone. The yeast cell walls are gently pre-diguested and broken down with enzyes from pineapple and papaya.

Interestingly I also take bromeliad which is a pineapple enzyme to help break down the small amount of diary I have - I wonder if this also helps....

sounds good Jane - be interesting to see what happens when you stop...... I am thinking of adding these once the botox trial is over

Sounds positive, Jane - so pleased you are feeling a bit better.

I'm currently trialing riboflavin/vitamin B2 again, and calcium.

When I 1st started taking magnesium it was great but I've had a bad week so am not singing the praises of anything at the moment. It's important to realise that all these vitamin supplements should be taken at far higher doses than your average Tescos, Superdrug or Boots supplements. I get mine from Health Monthly based in Jersey but I know Higher Nature and the like do the higher strength stuff.
Magnesium is a well known calming mineral in the equestrian world - especially reducing the spring madness as the new spring grass is magnesium deficient. I've used it on 2 of my competition horses to increase concentration and reduce their slightly manic phases!
Another thing to note, though I don't know why, is that Vit B2 (riboflavin) is contra-indicated with the use of TCA's.

Hoping everyone stays on the up.

I'm not going to have time to read all of this before I go to my clinic appointment, just discovered this section of the forum.

I'm very interested by the supplementation side of things, and found out that the drug that precipitated my migraines at their worst depletes your magnesium levels, that would explain things. I'll see what the clinic says. I have a feeling if I see the specialist GP he'll not know though, and I think I'll not see the neurologist unless the GP is on holiday as I'm not a "severe or interesting" case in the grand scheme of things.

I look forward to reading about supplements later.

This is a long thread - but loads of interesting stuff on it - Magnesium and zinc seem to be of help in a lot of people.....

Happy reading xx

I have re-started the magnesium oil treatment. It itches and burns like crazy! I leave it on for half an hour then rinse it off. My husband tried it though, and it didn't bother him at all! My skin is stupidly sensitive.

Has anyone tried magnesium taurate? I'm getting all confused and forgetting whether I've tried it or not, but I don't think I have! (dearie me! ) It's supposed to be a good form for absorption generally, and also for migraines.

I tried the magnesium oil spray - the BetterYou GoodNightone - last night. I went with 5 sprays as some of you reported that it was stingy. I must be tough as old boots! I'm going to try ten squirts tonight.

Woke up with a migraine that took til lunchtime to shift with my triptans though so it doesn't work instantly.

The man in my favourite health food shop in town gave me another brand sample to try as well, it's Ancient Minerals Ultra Pure - anyone tried that? Any difference?

Before I found them I went to another, bigger healthfood shop and bought some Floradix Magnesium liquid. I have no idea what I'm doing here but I'm willing to try anything!

Should I get my magnesium levels tested? How do I go about that?

I still swear by Higher Nature - True Food magnesium.... I have forgot the ones I have tried both spray and tablets - but this one did make a difference.....

Your GP can run the tests for you - some are not keen to do so - if he is open to it I would add in Vit D and Calcium........... and Iodine but mine refused point blank to do that one....

Magnesium blood testing is very difficult to get accurate. Standard testing shows the blood serum level, which is not a good indicator. Basically, if your serum level goes low, you're in real trouble. The red cell magnesium content is the best marker. That's what came back really low for me years ago, but I have no idea what it is now!

Speaking of vitamin D testing, I have ordered a vitamin D test for me and the husband. I have been meaning all day to put the link on here. It's £25 each. I've not sent ours off yet - I thought I'd better wait till after the weekend now, so it is as fresh as possible (it's a blood spot test).

sisterphonetica wrote:I tried the magnesium oil spray - the BetterYou GoodNightone - last night. I went with 5 sprays as some of you reported that it was stingy. I must be tough as old boots! I'm going to try ten squirts tonight.

Woke up with a migraine that took til lunchtime to shift with my triptans though so it doesn't work instantly.

The man in my favourite health food shop in town gave me another brand sample to try as well, it's Ancient Minerals Ultra Pure - anyone tried that? Any difference?

Before I found them I went to another, bigger healthfood shop and bought some Floradix Magnesium liquid. I have no idea what I'm doing here but I'm willing to try anything!

Should I get my magnesium levels tested? How do I go about that?

Go for it with the magnesium oil! I'm going for 10 sprays on each arm, but I started off with just one arm.

The Ancient Minerals one might be slightly more pure, but I doubt there is much in it, so I'd go for the cheapest.

Floradix Magnesium possibly isn't the best form, as I think it's magnesium citrate (correct me if I'm wrong). I personally didn't find that very absorbable. It's better than magnesium oxide though, so worth a go.

I have ordered my megadose vitamin D and high dose Co-Enzyme Q10, and have started my B2.

Today I woke up without a migraine, which is always magnificent!

Ooh great stuff! Best of luck!!

Fab news x

I don't have a headache every day but waking up without one is always a pleasant surprise. Especially when I don't sleep well.