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Treatment for Migraines With Magnesium

Although it has been used to treat vascular headaches for some time, magnesium is becoming more common in treating migraines. A lower magnesium level in the body may lower resistance to other triggers, as well.

  1. Magnesium Deficiency and Migraines

    • According to neurologist Sara DeRossett, "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.

    Dosage

    • The recommended dosage is 200 to 500mg per day, but magnesium can have serious toxic reactions if excessive doses are taken. Accordingly, do not take more than the recommended daily dosage.

    Magnesium-Rich Foods

    • Magnesium is abundant in beans, whole-grain products, nuts, seeds, legumes, cocoa, seafood and dark-green leafy vegetables. Use caution, though, as some of these foods may be triggers for migraines.

    Magnesium and Calcium

    • Calcium is a magnesium antagonist. As such, calcium-rich foods or supplements reduce the amount of magnesium retained by the body. Take supplements at a different time of the day than you take a magnesium supplement.

    Medical Community

    • The medical community is still divided on the overall effectiveness of magnesium as a treatment for migraines. According to Dr. Ninan Mathew, "Even though magnesium deficiency in the brain is implicated in the pathophysiology of migraine, there is still no proof that magnesium replacement is of any benefit in migraine [prevention]."

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