Migraine remedies
Having suffered with debilitating migraines since my early teens, I am now 30 and do not want to take medication any more; I just want something to help with the pain. Any ideas?
Sumatriptan or Imitrex is one of the prescription drugs that works to treat acute migraines and since what is does is imitate the action of the brain chemical, serotonin, which contracts dilated blood vessels, you can use a supplement called 5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan) to try and achieve the same effect.
The body makes 5-HTP on the way to making serotonin so the theory, whilst still unproven, is that taking a supplement of the precursor will boost levels of the neurotransmitter (serotonin) itself. Antidepressants such as Prozac, for instance, work this way and can sometimes help migraine headaches too.
In one six-month study, which investigated the usefulness of 5-HTP compared with the conventional migraine drug, methysergide, researchers found the supplement to be equally effective but in placebo-controlled trials, the supplement failed to produce any better results than the placebo pill. If you do decide to try 5-HTP, which is produced commercially from the seeds of the African plant, Griffoni simplicfolia, the daily therapeutic dose is 150mg-300mg.
Low levels of brain magnesium have also been linked with migraines. In another study of over 3,000 women, researchers found supplementing the diet with 360mg of magnesium every day for two months reduce both the number of migraines and their severity in 80% of sufferers. You can mail order both 5-HTP and magnesium supplements from the Nutri Centre (0800-587 2290).