Because people with certain diseases have been shown to have lower levels of CoQ10 in their blood, researchers are interested in finding out whether supplements might have health benefits. The typical dosage of CoQ10 is up to mg taken three times per day. This supplement may interact with certain medications or other supplements, so check with your doctor.
One study in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry showed that the hormone melatonin, often used to regulate sleep cycles, may help reduce migraine frequency. The study showed that melatonin was generally better tolerated and in many cases more effective than the drug amitriptyline , which is often prescribed for migraine prevention but can have side effects.
The dosage used in the study was 3 mg daily. Melatonin has the advantage of being available over the counter at low cost. According to the Mayo Clinic , it is generally considered safe in recommended dosages, although the FDA does not recommend it for any specific use. Most over-the-counter supplements are generally well-tolerated and safe, but here are some things to keep in mind:.
Also keep in mind that when you start taking a new supplement, you may not see results right away. You may need to continue taking it for at least a month before noticing the benefits.
If your new supplement seems to be making your migraines or another health condition worse, stop taking it immediately and talk to your doctor. For example, caffeine may help reduce headaches in some people, but may trigger them in others.
For example, taking too much vitamin A can lead to headaches, nausea, coma, and even death. Not all headaches are migraines. A migraine is a specific subtype of headache. Your migraine symptoms may include any combination of the following:. Much is still unclear about what causes migraines. They likely have at least some genetic component. Environmental factors also appear to play a part. For example, the following factors can trigger migraines:. Our offering. Cove Employer Program.
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Does riboflavin help prevent migraine attacks? What other conditions can riboflavin help with? What foods are good sources of riboflavin? How else can I get riboflavin? Are there any possible side effects? Many patients want a natural approach to treating migraine. Here are some treatment options to discuss with your neurologist. Many of my patients tell me they waited years before seeing a doctor for their migraine, thinking it wasn't a serious condition. They thought the best way to deal with it was to grit their teeth and muscle through it.
Now, many are active participants in their care and often tell me they want a natural approach. I explain that vitamins and supplements may decrease the number of attacks or reduce the side effects of prescription drugs, but they aren't cure-alls and can take time to become effective, as long as three months for some patients. For others, they may not work at all and may have side effects. With that in mind, here are some vitamins and supplements to discuss with your neurologist at your next visit, including some potential side effects.
Also known as riboflavin, this vitamin and it's one of eight B vitamins that help convert food into fuel; it also helps metabolize fats and protein. We don't know exactly why B2 helps, but it could be because some people who are deficient in it are more prone to migraine. In a small study in the European Journal of Neurology , 23 people who took daily doses of mg of riboflavin for six months reported half the number of headaches per month—from four to two—and reduced their use of medicines from seven pills per month to four and a half.
This nutrient is found in some foods and helps the body absorb calcium, which is needed to maintain strong bones. Researchers are investigating a link between vitamin D deficiency and migraine; Otherwise it isn't yet clear how vitamin D helps in migraines.
A nine-month study in the December issue of Annals of Neurology that included people who had four to 14 migraines per month found that combining vitamin D3 and simvastatin, a cholesterol-lowering drug, reduced the number of migraines by eight or nine per month on average. Currently Petadolex is difficult to obtain. The German government has refused to allow it to be sold there. It is still marketed in the USA, but without the requisite safety testing.
I suggest that until a product is available which meets safety standards, it is safer to choose one of the other approaches to migraine control. If you do decide to take it, inform your doctor and get regular liver function tests. When the poisonous liver damaging chemicals are removed the active ingredient, Petasin, seem remarkably free of side effects, at least in the short term — long term studies have not been done.
Butterbur should probably be off the list for the time being, until a proven safe preparation is available, but when this is sorted, it looks to have encouraging potential. Of the three supplements, Magnesium, Co-enzyme Q10 and Riboflavin, all seem to give broadly similar results. Co-enzyme Q10 has the least potential side effects so that would be a good one to start with. Remember you need to give each a decent trial period 3 or 4 months and it is best to keep a daily diary of your headaches so you can accurately chart the effect of the medication.
Unfortunately there is no way to predict which medication will be successful for any particular person, so a process of trial and error is necessary. Another approach to choosing is to go for a medication which might also help another condition. So in the case of these supplements, Magnesium may have benefits for people with fibromyalgia — which commonly co-exists with migraine.
I chose these as they are widely available throughout the country, not because they offer any special benefit, or because I wish to endorse these companies in any way. None of these products are available on NHS prescription, so you will have to purchase them if you want to try them — but do let your doctor know you are using them.
This information is provided as a general guide only and is not a comprehensive overview of prescribing information. If you have any queries or concerns about your headaches or medications please discuss them with your GP or the doctor you see at the National Migraine Centre.
Book Now. Click here to find lots of information covering most aspects of migraine. Find out about symptoms, treatments, and lots in-between. Find out more. Take control of your migraines by tracking your attacks and recording specific information about them.
Start now. Book Consultation Did you know you do not need a GP referral, but can self refer to see a headache specialist. Migraine and headache facts Click here to find lots of information covering most aspects of migraine. Migraine and headache diary Take control of your migraines by tracking your attacks and recording specific information about them.
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