Natural Migraine Treatment Category

Multiple studies have demonstrated that high dose riboflavin can reduce the frequency and intensity of migraines in both adults and children.

WHAT IS RIBOFLAVIN?

Riboflavin also known as Vitamin B-2, is an essential nutrient required for life. One of the most important uses of riboflavin is that it helps in the production of energy in the body.  The vitamin is water soluble, which means the body cannot store it, but it is vital for red blood cell production and growth.

Carbohydrates, fats and proteins all interact with riboflavin when releasing energy for our bodies to use. Riboflavin also acts as an antioxidant which can prevent premature aging and chronic illness.

NATURAL FOOD SOURCES OF RIBOFLAVIN
It’s naturally found in organ meats such as liver and kidney and in many vegetables, legumes, nuts and leafy greens like spinach. Some of the richest sources include calf liver, torula yeast and brewer’s yeast, while almonds, wheat germ and mushrooms, milk, cheddar cheese and eggs are also good sources.

 RIBOFLAVIN BENEFITS

- Riboflavin is involved in energy production in every cell.

- Riboflavin helps convert carbohydrates to sugar which acts as fuel to carry out bodily functions.  It is also critical to the breakdown of fats and proteins into energy your body can use. The enzymes involved in energy production do not function optimally without adequate riboflavin in the diet, which may lead to fatigue.

- Riboflavin is an excellent antioxidant which protects your body from free radical damage and aids in slowing the process of aging and many chronic diseases.

- Riboflavin is essential for the formation and proper functioning of fresh red blood cells. It interacts with iron which is used to synthesize hemoglobin (a major component of oxygen-carrying red blood cells.) Keeping hemoglobin levels high, helps your body to get the oxygen-rich blood necessary to perform the daily functions of life.

- Riboflavin is essential for the growth of healthy body tissue, including skin, hair, nails, and connective tissue. (One of the most common signs of riboflavin or vitamin B-2 deficiency is scaly, dry skin, cracked lips and lesions around the mouth.)

- Riboflavin ensures proper growth and healthy reproductive organs

- Riboflavin helps to maintain a healthy immune system by enhancing the natural immunity by strengthening the antibody reserves and by reinforcing the defense system against infections.

- Riboflavin protects the nervous system: Vitamin B2 can help in treating various nervous system conditions such as multiple sclerosis, anxiety and epilepsy.

- Riboflavin helps to prevents acne. It helps improve the mucus secretion of skin and might clean up the skin pustules.

- Riboflavin (B-2) also plays a major role in the functioning of the other B complex vitamins like vitamin B3 (niacin) and vitamin B6 (pyridoxine). Therefore, lack of riboflavin in the body can hinder the activity of other vitamins.

- Riboflavin is used in iron therapy for the treatment of sickle cell and iron deficiency anemia.

- Riboflavin may lower the risk of cataract in people.

- Riboflavin helps in the repair of tissue, healing and infection

- Riboflavin assists in regulating thyroid activity.

- Riboflavin helps prevent conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, eczema, acne, and migraines.

RIBOFLAVIN  &  MIGRAINE PREVENTION

Riboflavin/B-2 metabolites such as Flavin Adenine Dinucleotide or “FAD” are co-factors in the Krebs Cycle that produces energy. This coenzyme is an important component of the electron-transport chain.   This is crucial because a deficiency of mitrochondrial energy reserves has been observed in migraine sufferers and many people exhibiting poor cerebrovascular tone.  Furthermore, migraineurs experience significant mitochondrial energy deficiencies prior to a migraine.  Replenishing them with high dose ribolavin helps to avoid migraines.

Note: “Flavin” refers to any of a group of yellow nitrogen-containing pigments, as riboflavin, that function as coenzymes. Because the vitamin riboflavin is water soluble and not stored in the body, excess riboflavin not utilized by cells in the body is safely eliminated through the urine causing it to turn yellow.

MigreLief provides 400mg of Riboflavin, which is significantly higher than most multi-vitamins or B-complex products.

Multiple studies have demonstrated that high dose riboflavin can reduce the frequency and intensity of migraines in both adults and children.  While women suffer migraine attacks three times more than men, both men and women equally benefit from riboflavin treatment.

The Journal of Headache & Pain reported on  the results of a study; Riboflavin Prophylaxis in Pediatric and Adolescent Migraine,  ”… In conclusion, riboflavin seems to be a well-tolerated, effective, and low-cost prophylactic treatment in children and adolescents suffering from migraine.”

(J Headache Pain. 2009 Oct;10(5):361-5. Epub 2009 Aug 1. – Riboflavin prophylaxis in pediatric and adolescent migraine – Condò M, Posar A, Arbizzani A, Parmeggiani A, Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.)

COMBINATION OF  NUTRITIONAL THERAPIES
Riboflavin – Magnesium – Fevefew

Nutritional deficiencies, inflammation and vasospasms can independantly and togehter contribute to migraines occurring.  While riboflavin can be effective at reducing migraine attacks, combining riboflavin with magnesium and feverfew provides three mechanisms of action, each working independently and together in a triple therapy approach to battling migraine disorder.  All 3 are listed in the “American Academy of Neurology’s Evidence Based Guidelines For Migraine Prevention
(Superior Efficacy of Puracol Feverfew™)  (Magnesium Helps with Much More than Migraines

In fact, a 2003 study in the Journal of the American Nutraceutical Association noted that using riboflavin in combination with feverfew and magnesium, helps to maintain normal cerebrovascular function aiding the blood to flow more properly in the brain. When the blood is flowing the way it should, it can prevent sudden spasms and decrease inflammation, resulting in the prevention of migraines.

MigreLief – Triple Therapy with Puracol

Making a difference in the lives of migraine sufferers worldwide since 1996, MigreLief  Triple Therapy with Puracol™ comes in 3 formulas to meet everyone’s needs;  Original, Childrens (age 2-11) and +M (menstrual/hormonal migraines.)  Visit MigreLief.com for more information.

 To all MigreLief customers,
WebMD is conducting a short survey on the use of Riboflavin (B-2)  As you know, MigreLief contains a high dose, 400 mg of Riboflavin.  Please take the survey and be sure to choose MigreLief as the product brand from the drop down list. Feel free to leave a public comment or review about your experience with MigreLief as well.

Thank you,

The MigreLief Team at Akeso Health Sciences.

Some butterbur products may contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), and that’s the major safety concern.

PAs can damage the liver, lungs, and blood circulation, and possibly cause cancer. Butterbur products that contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are UNSAFE when taken by mouth or applied to broken skin. Broken skin allows chemicals to be absorbed into the body. Do not use butterbur products unless they are certified and labeled as free of PAs.

Short-term treatment with Butterbur 

 PA-free butterbur products are considered POSSIBLY SAFE  when taken short-term, by mouth appropriately. PA-free root extracts seem to be safe when used for up to 16 weeks in adults. There is some evidence that a specific PA-free butterbur extract (Petadolex, Weber&Weber, GmbH & Co, Germany) can be safely used in children who are 6-17 years old for up to 4 months.

Not enough is known about the safety of using PA-free butterbur products on unbroken skin. Don’t use it.

BUTTERBUR SIDE-EFFECTS

PA-free butterbur is generally well tolerated. It can cause belching, headache, itchy eyes, diarrhea, asthma, upset stomach, fatigue, and drowsiness. However, it seems to cause less drowsiness and fatigue than cetirizine (Zyrtec). Butterbur products might cause allergic reactions in people who are allergic to ragweed, marigolds, daisies, and other related herbs.

So please consult your doctor before taking Butterbur for migraine treatment. 

Curt Hendrix, creator of MigreLief, is interviewed on Lifetime’s Balancing Act.

Mr. Hendrix discusses causes and treatment of migraines, especially as related to women who suffer from migraine headaches.

More than 30 million people in the US suffer from migraines, and more than three-quarters are women. The key is not to treat the symptoms, but prevent the severe headaches from ever forming. We’ll show you how to do it naturally.  Watch The Balancing Act interview below.

COMBINING ANTIDEPRESSANTS AND MIGRAINE PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

Taking antidepressants, like Pristiq, along with certain migraine medications can lead to dangerous and even life-threatening side-effects.

Many people who suffer from depression also suffer from migraine headaches. Unfortunately, the mechanism of action of many antidepressants is to increase serotonin (a feel good neurotransmitter) levels in the brain. Triptan drugs like Imitrex, which are used to reduce or end the pain of a migraine attack also work by stimulating serotonin receptors.

This combination of antidepressants and triptan migraine drugs, can lead to too much serotonin in the brain. This is not a good thing and can result in a potentially life-threatening condition known as “serotonin syndrome.”

Though not approved for migraine prevention by the FDA, some physicians recommend antidepressants like Pristiq, for this purpose. There is very little data supporting this recommendation and not insignificant risk if they are also used with the triptan drugs like Imitrex or Zomig.

In some people, just the use of triptans alone can result in unhealthy levels of serotonin, leading to serotonin syndrome. This risk increases substantially if these people are also taking an antidepressant like Pristiq or any other of several antidepressants known either as SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) or SNRI (serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors).

The symptoms of “serotonin syndrome” are:

Rapid heart rate and high blood pressure
Agitation or restlessness
Confusion
Dilated pupils
Loss of muscle control or twitching muscles
Heavy sweating
Diarrhea
Headache
Goose bumps
Shivering

In severe cases of serotonin syndrome life-threatening symptoms can occur:

High Fever
Seizures
Irregular heart beat
Unconsciousness

If you and your physician decide to use this combination of drugs, you must be monitored very closely for any of these signs and symptoms of serotonin syndrome.

If your migraines are bad enough, your physician may decide to stop the antidepressant so that you can use the triptan drugs with less risk (though as mentioned above, they alone, in some users can cause serotonin syndrome).

A win-win solution for many migraine sufferers who are also suffering with depression is to switch to the all natural migraine prevention supplement, MigreLief.

Prevention is clearly desirable rather than to constantly just treating the pain of migraines and there is no additional risk of serotonin syndrome when using MigreLief.

Knowledge is power.

Be well,

Curt Hendrix B.S. M.S. C.C.N. C.N.S.

Topiramate (brand name Topamax) an anti-seizure prescription drug that is also used for migraine prevention, has been found to significantly increase the risk of birth defects when used by pregnant women.

Infants who were exposed to Topamax while in the womb had a 1.4% prevalence of oral clefts (cleft palates) compared to just .38-.55% with other antiepileptic drugs. 

Dr. Russell Katz of the FDA states – “Before topirmate is prescribed, health care professionals should warn patients of childbearing age about the potential hazard to the fetus if a woman becomes pregnant while taking this drug.”  “Alternative medications that have a lower risk of birth defect should be considered.”

For those women of child-bearing age, who are also suffering with chronic migraine headaches, and don’t want to expose themselves to this risk,  MigreLief   the well-known, safe and very effective natural medicine for migraine relief, is the perfect alternative.

A Breakthrough for Menstrual Migraines, PMS and PCOS!

MigreLief+M

LOS ANGELES,  /PRNewswire/ — In a world where millions suffer daily from the debilitating pain of migraine headaches, one name stands out as the definitive leader in natural, safe and effective treatment. MigreLief by Akeso Health Sciences.

Now, patients are raving about the amazing results of the new breakthrough product from Akeso. MigreLief+M (Menstrual) is the first of its kind supplement aimed at preventing migraines and other symptoms associated with a woman’s menstrual cycle.

“There is a direct relationship between hormones and headaches,” explains Curt Hendrix M.S. C.C.N., C.N.S., scientist and creator of MigreLief+M. “Headaches in women, particularly migraines, have been related to changes in the levels of the female hormones estrogen and progesterone before, during and after a woman’s menstrual cycle. These hormone levels fluctuate dramatically and are associated with a large percentage of migraines in women.”

The release of MigreLief+M is life-changing news, not only for migraine sufferers but also for women who experience PMS symptoms such as cravings, breast tenderness, bloating, cramps, depression and irritability. The active ingredients in this menstrually targeted MigreLief have been shown to not only balance the hormonal fluctuations that lead to menstrual related migraines, but also significantly decrease PMS symptoms as well.

What is the secret to the success of world renowned MigreLief? “The ingredients that are used are continuously monitored for quality and integrity by independent analytical laboratories throughout the manufacturing process. These ingredients are then used in the exact form and dose proven effective in human clinical studies. Our supplements are of higher quality than those currently on the market because of this exacting scientific attention to purity and potency.”

MigreLief+M is no exception and promises to be another winner with a multitude of added benefits:

•Same reliable migraine treatment as MigreLief original formula with additional compounds to treat Menstrual migraines and alleviate many PMS and PCOS symptoms.
•May be beneficial in reducing the occurrence of premenstrual acne.
•Can be taken with your prescription migraine drugs and has no side-effects.
•Regulates blood sugar balance that is a migraine trigger in many patients.
•MigreLief Facebook and Twitter interface directly with consumers to support their ongoing health questions and needs.

All MigreLief products are available in select pharmacies and online at www.migrelief.com. For more information and product samples contact sales@akesohealth.com.

About Akeso Health Sciences

Founded by Curt Hendrix in 1992, Akeso is a family company dedicated to continuing research and breakthrough technologies for the development of patented supplements that have helped tens of thousands find the joy and peace of a new life without migraines. The company consistently delivers innovative, leading edge solutions for migraineurs worldwide.

Contact:  Steve Hendrix
sales@akesohealth.com
(800) 758-8746

DISCLAIMER: MigreLief™ is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or illness. Frequent use of this product may result in considerable weight loss. Please consult with your licensed medical practitioner if you have, or suspect you may have, a health problem.

SOURCE Akeso Health Sciences and PRNewswire.com

Find out more about MigreLief+M

At Last! Safe Relief for Children’s Migraines!
The First Natural Migraine Supplement Just for Kids – Children’s MigreLief

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 23, 2010 /PRNewswire/ — MigreLief, the first name in migraine prevention, releases a safe and proven effective supplement for children of all ages:

One of the hardest things for a parent to do is to see their child in pain.  Yet every day millions of parents must watch helplessly as their children suffer from debilitating attacks.  About one out of every ten kids, or nearly 8 million children in the United States alone, are plagued by what has become the most common acute and recurrent headache pattern experienced by children today.

“Be it supplement, OTC drug or prescription drug, Children’s MigreLief is the first and only therapy developed specifically for children suffering from migraine headaches,” explains Curt Hendrix M.S. C.C.N, C.N.S., scientist and creator of Children’s MigreLief.  These often incapacitating experiences strike suddenly and often with accompanying symptoms of nausea, abdominal pain and vomiting. Until now, the only option available was the use of side-effect prone prescription medications actually causing more migraines, known as rebound headaches. But Children’s MigreLief offers parents of children suffering migraines a safe nutritional option, with none of the potentially disruptive side-effects of prescription drugs.

Hendrix explains, “There is NOT one prescription drug approved by the FDA for use by children with migraines. The side-effects of these drugs are significant in adults and not an option most parents would want to subject a child to. Children’s MigreLief is the perfect solution… a vitamin, a mineral and a plant, all well known for their safety, efficacy and low side-effects to establish normal vascular function instead of a lifetime on pain killers and abortive drugs.”

MigreLief contains a patented “Triple Therapy” approach to reestablishing normal cerebrovascular tone and function that is disrupted in children who have migraines.  Nutritional deficiencies, inflammation, and vasospasm can independently and together contribute to migraine occurrence, frequency and intensity.  Children’s MigreLief contains the same “Triple Therapy” ingredients as MigreLief but with dosages and pill sizes adjusted to meet the needs of children.

MigreLief’s ingredients; Puracol, a proprietary blend of two unique Feverfew sources, Magnesium from two sources and high dose, highly absorbable Riboflavin (Vitamin B-2) have all independently been shown to be of significant preventive benefit to chronic migraine sufferers.

All MigreLief products are available in select pharmacies and online at MigreLief.com.  For more information and product samples contact sales@akesohealth.com.

About Akeso Health Sciences

Founded by Curt Hendrix in 1992, the company now Akeso L.L.C. is a family company dedicated to continuing research and breakthrough technologies for the development of patented supplements. Akeso has helped tens of thousands control their migraines to find new joy and peace in life and consistently delivers innovative, leading edge solutions for migraineurs worldwide.

Contact: Steve Hendrix sales@akesohealth.com USA (800) 758-8746

DISCLAIMER: (MigreLief™) is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or illness.  Please consult your licensed medical practitioner if you have, or suspect you may have, a health problem.

SOURCE Akeso Health Sciences and PRNewswire.com

Rebound headaches from prescription and over-the-counter migraine headache medications – what you need to know!

Many chronic migraine sufferers resort to taking prescription medicines named triptans when a migraine gets out of control. These medicines are used “acutely.”  This means you take them when you already have a migraine you want to try to stop.  These drugs do not prevent migraines from occurring.

In fact, not only do they not prevent migraines, the general consensus amongst researchers and clinicians is that on-going regular use of triptan drugs like Imitrex or Zomig actually increase the total number of migraines that many users of the drugs have. This phenomenon is known as “Rebound Headache.”

Some readers of this article may recognize this pattern in their own lives. A migraine develops that won’t go away and one of these drugs is administered. The current migraine either goes away or decreases in intensity to the point where it is manageable but a day or two later, another migraine occurs:  “The Rebound Headache.”

If users are not careful this can lead to increasing drug use and a cycle of reoccurring migraines. This rebound cycle occurs not only with triptan drugs but with caffeine-containing over-the-counter medicines like Excedrin.

Caffeine can help reduce the pain of headaches and migraines in some sufferers. But unfortunately it is caffeine that causes many headaches and contributes to the development of migraines in many, if not most sufferers.

In fact, several well known neurologists who specialize in treating migraine sufferers have stated that one of the most powerful ways to reduce the number of migraines that sufferers experience is to remove caffeine from their diets.

Unfortunately, this is easier said than done, because caffeine is addictive and many sufferers when they try to ween off of it actually go through withdrawal-like symptoms and experience a temporary, short increase in their headaches or migraines. Fortunately, this will last only a short time, perhaps several days and then a significant decrease in the frequency and intensity of migraines should occur.

The above information highlights why preventing migraines from occurring is a much safer and desirable short and long-term choice in dealing with the effect of migraines on your life.

MigreLief  has proven time and time again, to be the easiest and most effective prevention solution for literally hundreds of thousands of migraine sufferers. In fact, the biggest percentage of chronic migraines sufferers who use MigreLief, comes from the referrals of the country-wide network of neurologists, internists and general practitioners who have relied upon MigreLief for well over a decade.

WHAT IS MIGRELIEF?
IF YOU OR A LOVED ONE SUFFERS FROM MIGRAINES…
YOU NEED TO KNOW!

MIGRELIEF U.S. Patent #6,068,999 & U.S. Patent # 6,500,450 B1
CREATOR: Curt Hendrix M.S., C.C.N., C.N.S.

MigreLief (formerly Migra-Health & Migra-Lieve) is a popular all-natural dietary supplement for the prevention of migraines. Formulated and patented by Scientist-Curt Hendrix M.S., MigreLief is an advanced herbal formula often referred to as the “Triple Therapy” for migraine prevention. The triple therapy refers to the 3 main ingredients:

MigreLief contains high doses of:

Magnesium citrate and oxide
Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)
Puracol™ Feverfew (proprietary extract + whole leaf)

Read more…

In addition to high dose Riboflavin, a specific combination of two forms of Magnesium which maximize absorption and efficacy are used in MigreLief.

Puracol represents proprietary Feverfew science specific to MigreLief as well. While extracts of Feverfew can maximize certain phytochemicals found in the plant, like parthenolides, the extraction process can also remove other naturally occurring phytochemicals that may be required for maximum efficacy. The Puracol technology corrects this problem by simultaneously maximizing parthenolide levels while maintaiing the full spectrum of all the other naturally occurring compounds found in the whole plant.

Research studies show that almost half of all migraine sufferers have low blood levels of Magnesium – which is critical in controlling vasospasms (the contraction and dilation of blood vessels in the brain which occurs during migraines). Migraine sufferers also suffer mitochondrial energy deficiencies, which Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) can improve when given in high dosages. And the plant material Feverfew has been shown to reduce platelet aggregation, which can lead to vasoconstriction. So all 3 ingredients have been recommended for years by many doctors and top headache specialists based on the clinical studies behind them.

Because MigreLief combines all 3 of these ingredients into one formula (at the dosages double blind clinical studies show are beneficial), this herbal formula is being adopted more and more by physicians and headache clinics involved in treating migraines worldwide.

MigreLief – More Information: (Magnesium, Riboflavin, Purocal-Feverfew)

Magnesium
Magnesium is a nutritional supplement with numerous effects that support cerebrovascular tone. These include: 1) inhibition of platelet aggregation;2) interference with synthesis, release, and action of inflammatory mediators;3) direct alterations of cerebrovascular tone; 4) inhibition of vasospasm; and 5) stabilization of cell membranes. Some migraine sufferers with poor cerebrovascular tone have been found to have low brain levels of magnesium. Recommended daily dosages of magnesium typically range from 200 to 600 mg to compensate for this deficiency — far above what’s found in most multi-vitamins.

Riboflavin
Riboflavin (vitamin B-2) is a precursor of flavin adenine dinucleotide(FAD). This coenzyme is an important component of the electron-transport chain. A deficiency of mitrochondrial energy reserves has been observed in some persons exhibiting poor cerebrovascular tone. This defect may theoretically be corrected by a compound such as riboflavin that improves the activity of the electron-transport chain. MigreLief provides 400mg of Riboflavin — significantly higher than most multi-vitamins or B-complex products.

Feverfew
Commonly recommended for its ability to support cerebrovascular tone, feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) is rich in compounds known as sesquiterpene lactones. One of the more important of these compounds may be parthenolide, which represents 85% of the sesquiterpene lactone content in feverfew. Some scientific studies indicate that while parthenolide may be important there may very well be other phytochemicals in feverfew that are as of yet unidentified and play a role in its effectiveness. Some studies of extracts of feverfew containing parthenolide yielded no significant benefits. This led researchers to believe that certain of the unidentified phytochemicals may have been left behind during the extraction process. The ideal solution would be a non extracted feverfew product that naturally contained high levels of parthenolide and kept all of the other naturally occurring phytochemicals as well. Thus Puracol Feverfew, AKESO HEALTH SCIENCE’S proprietary non extracted plant source for feverfew with high levels of naturally occurring parthenolide was developed. Puracol Feverfew, is just one of the reasons for the superior efficacy of MigreLief which delivers optimal dosages of parthenolide. Scientific studies have found parthenolide inhibits platelet aggregation and the release of serotonin from platelets and polymorphonuclear leukocyte granules.* It has also been shown to inhibit pro-inflammatory prostaglandin synthesis and the release of arachadonic acid. Each of these phenomena are associated with migraines.* European studies have shown the benefits of feverfew on long-term cerebrovasular tone.

Two tablets provide:
Puracol Feverfew(Tanacetum parthenium) – 100 mg.
Magnesium (Citrate/Oxide 1:1) – 360mg, which is 90% of U.S. RDA*
Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) – 400 mg, which is 23,525% of U.S. RDA**Percentage of U.S. recommended daily allowance 

Contains no yeast, milk, corn, wheat, gluten, soy, sodium, salt, sugar, flavorings, preservatives, artificial colors. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.