How to Reduce Travel Migraines and Have Fun!

Anticipating that wonderful trip that you’ve been planning for months is exciting. Sharing wonderful times with friends or loved ones is what many memories are made of. Anyone that thinks traveling is not incredibly stressful; either doesn’t travel very much or has their own private airplane.

Highway traffic to the airport, long check-in lines, newly imposed luggage fees, getting half undressed for security scanners, submitting to security pat downs, schlepping carry-on luggage to the gate (or am I the only one who seems to get the last gate that is ½ a mile away?), flight connections, lines for shuttles, rent-a-car, or competing for taxis… it just isn’t easy!

Most of us know that stress does nothing good for our health and when you combine it with the dynamics of being in an airplane environment for many hours, eating and sleeping away from home and changes in time zones… we have a recipe brewing for potential discomfort and illness.

What are the specific health risks we run into when traveling?

Sinus infections
Colds
Flu
Ear pain
Blood clots in the legs
Migraines
Sleep disorders (jet lag)

One long study found that over 20% of airline passengers will develop a cold and that number didn’t include those who got the flu, a sinus infection or ear pain. In fact, a recent study in the Journal of Environmental Health Research found that you may be 100 times more likely to catch a cold on a plane than you are in your normal daily life.

So, in anticipation of these increased risks that traveling presents, my first recommendation is to call your health insurance company. If you live in Europe, make sure your e111 form is in order.

You may be wondering why I make this suggestion. In this day and age of bureaucracy and multiple-page contracts, it may surprise many of us as to how limited our health insurance coverage is when we are out of state and especially out of the country. A call to your health insurance provider to get the lay of the land as to what is and isn’t covered should you need medical care when traveling, will prevent some unpleasant financial surprises.

If your coverage is limited, temporary health plans can be purchased for just a week or two and are relatively inexpensive, if you are basically healthy.

Try MigreLief Travel Sizes:

PACK YOUR VITAMINS! Healthy Vacation = Happy Vacation

Health Risks While Flying

The pressurized, low humidity, air environment in an airplane increases the risk of sinus infections, colds, flu, ear pain, jet lag and blood clots.

The humidity in this environment can drop to 10% or lower, thus drying out the mucus of the nose and throat which cripples this natural defense system.

Whereas, alcohol, soda and other caffeinated drinks can dry you out, regular sipping of water throughout the flight can partially offset the effects of the very low humidity on board and support your natural immune system.

Also several studies have shown that taking vitamin C and vitamin D (1000 mg and 5000 IU daily) before, during and after your travel may be very protective against catching colds or flu.

Because our natural immune system is compromised transmission of germs and viruses is easier when in flight, therefore simple hand washing can go a long way in protecting yourself from these germs and viruses. Wash your hands before in flight meals and snacks and after the flight as well.

Carry a small (within allowable size regulation, 3 ounces or smaller) bottle of a germ-killing mouthwash (preferable without alcohol in it) in your carry on and use it during the flight for additional protection and moisturizing of the throat.

Obviously, a cold or flu can put a crimp on enjoying your vacation but a blood clot is far more serious. The sitting in place for many hours while on a plane decreases blood flow and the use of your muscles which help keep blood moving in the veins. This can lead to the formation of a clot in susceptible people.

To reduce the risk of clotting:

Get out of your seat and walk around when possible
Flex your ankles and calves
If at a bulkhead, push against it
Drink water
Don’t cross legs for a prolonged period of time

Avoiding Ear and Sinus Pain When Flying

Changing air pressure during ascent and descent of the airplane can disrupt the pressure balance between the inner and outer portions of the ear and cause pain. To prevent this from happening: .

Step 1

Before the flight takes off ask your flight attendant to give you a bottle of water and during take-off take frequent small sips of water or juice.

Step 2

If you can’t get water or juice start chewing a piece of gum or candy and swallow frequently. Swallowing (particularly while holding the nose closed) frequently or yawning during ascent and descent helps equalize pressure and reduce or eliminate pain.*

* For babies, breastfeeding or a pacifier is helpful.

So in summary, to make your next trip memorable for the best of reasons:

1- Check with your health insurance carrier to understand your coverage when traveling.

2- Drink water to protect against infection of cold and flu.

3- Swallow (while holding the nose), suck on candy or sip water during ascent and descent to avoid ear and sinus pain.

4- Take Vitamin C and Vitamin D before, during and after your trip for your immune system.

5- Wash your hands before airplane meals and snacks and after the flight.

6- Walk around, don’t cross legs for prolonged periods of time, flex ankles and calves to prevent blood clots.

I hope you have found this advice helpful and plan to use it the next time you travel.

The best of health to you,

Curt Hendrix, M.S. C.C.N. C.N.S

Migraines & Traveling

Chronic migraine sufferers often report an increase in their migraine activity when traveling. Coming down with a migraine is never fun and especially so, when you get one while away from home.

What is it about traveling that can cause migraine flare ups?

Traveling can cause the following changes that can increase the likelihood of getting a migraine:

* Temperature fluctuations
* Barometric pressure changes and cabin pressures during flying
* Humidity changes
* Altitude changes
* Exposure to smokers
* Motion sickness
* Dehydration
* Disrupted sleep patterns
* Increased consumption of alcohol
* Travel stress

Flying and the related changes in cabin pressurization can cause migraines in susceptible individuals. Conditions inside pressurized cabins are similar to being in high altitude locations of 5000 feet or more. Many migraine sufferers will get bad migraines when they go skiing because of this change in altitude.

If you know that flying causes you to get a migraine, then you may want to discuss with your physician following the advice of Dr. Fred Frietag, a migraine specialist. Dr. Freitag suggests trying the drug acetazolamide which is used to treat altitude sickness and helps to prevent migraines caused by flying. Dr. Freitag mentions that tingling or transient numbness may be side-effects of this drug.

We can’t do much about preventing temperature, barometric, humidity or altitude changes but we can anticipate them. So if you know the weather forecasts in the city (s) you are heading for and they reflect the changes above, be sure to BE PARTICULARLY GOOD AT THOSE THINGS YOU CAN CONTROL:

* Dress appropriately, don’t allow yourself to get too hot or too cold
* Stay hydrated – dehydration cases lots of migraines
* Keep to your regular sleep patterns as much as possible
* Lay off the alcohol as much as possible
* Plan to avoid smokers – some hotels and restaurants still allow smoking
* Limit your exposure to the sun and wear a big brimmed hat and polarized sunglasses
* Comfortable shoes reduce stress

Finally, it goes without saying; don’t forget to bring your medications with you. If you have chronic migraines, you hopefully are on a prevention program. To learn more about that see www.migrelief.com.

Here’s to pain-free travel,

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

RELATED PRODUCTS

MIGRELIEF

The only multi-patented, physician recommended nutritional supplement for either men, women or children over 12 years of age, who suffer from chronic migraine.

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JOY BAUER MS, RD, CDN (Nutrition Expert for The Today Show)

Page 336

SUPPLEMENTS

If you suffer from migraine headaches and want to consider supplements, research suggests that these might be helpful.

1. MigreLief. This supplement is a patented formulation designed specifically for people with migraines. Just two capsules a day–one in the morning and one at night–contain 300 milligrams of magnesium, 400 milligrams of riboflavin, and 100 milligrams of a specific form of the herb feverfew, which has been used for centuries to treat headaches. More recent research has found that taking feverfew, particularly in the standardized form found in MigreLief, can reduce the frequency and severity of migraines. People who take it notice improvements after one to three months. This product may cause diarrhea in some people. MigreLief should not be taken by anyone taking potassium-sparing diuretics, or with renal failure, or by women who are pregnant or nursing. To find stores near you that sell MigreLief, check the store locator at www.migrelief.com, or call 1-877-MIGRELIEF. One additional note of warning, just to prevent an unexpected shock: At these dosages, riboflavin will turn urine a bright fluorescent yellow. It isn’t dangerous, just colorful.

Page 334

RIBOFLAVIN

Riboflavin–also called vitamin B2–is involved with the body’s production of energy at the level of the cell. Some research suggests that people with migraines may have a genetic defect that makes it difficult for their cells to maintain energy reserves, and this lack of basic energy could trigger migraines. Many neurologists recommend that their migraine patients take riboflavin supplements along with their prescription medications. Although it is difficult to get enough riboflavin to prevent migraines from food sources alone, I recommend adding some additional riboflavin-rich foods to your diet. If you would like to try riboflavin supplements, I recommend a 400 milligram dose or a combination product called MigreLief. See the Supplements section, next page for more information.

MAGNESIUM

Magnesium deficiency has been linked to migraines. Getting enough magnesium through diet or supplements may help prevent all kinds of migraines, but seems to be particularly valuable for women who get menstrual migraines. Eating a diet high in magnesium is safe, and will contribute to headache prevention. However, studies of the effects of magnesium on migraine have used supplements, not food sources. If you would like to try magnesium supplements, I recommend a combination product called MigreLief. See the Supplements section, next page for more information.

ABOUT JOY BAUER:

Nutrition Expert Joy Bauer, MS, RD, CDN, often appears on NBC’s Today Show, CBNTV: The Joy 700 Club as well as Inside Edition and LXTV/NBC and is recognized nationally as a leading authority on health and nutrition. Joy is responsible for building one of the largest nutrition-counseling practices in the country. Located in both New York City and Westchester, Joy Bauer Nutrition provides medically sound dietary evaluations and interventions for adults and children for a wide range of diet and health issues.

Sleep Deprivation and Migraines

Sleep Deprivation Shown to Lead to Actual Changes in Brain Protein Associated With Migraine Pain

Perhaps you’ve read some of the past articles where I spell out the importance of consistent, quality sleep, for overall health and specifically for migraine sufferers.

Now researchers at Missouri State University have demonstrated that sleep deprivation actually leads to changes in key brain proteins that are associated with migraines developing.

These proteins, in essence, seem to render nerves more susceptible to expressing pain and these protein levels increase with increasing sleep deprivation.

Techniques to calm down your brain before going to sleep such as mediation, not thinking about work or other nagging responsibilities the hour before you go to sleep, taking hot baths, using natural supplements that are calming and shown to make falling and staying asleep easier, are all options.

To the best of health,

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

Migraine Studies and References for Magnesium, Riboflavin and Feverfew.

CLINICAL APPLICATIONS OF NATURAL MEDICINE: MIGRAINE

Published by Natural Product Research Consultants

Donald Brown, N.D.
Alan Gaby, M.D.
Ronald Reichert, N.D.

CLINICAL APPLICATIONS OF NATURAL MEDICINE: MIGRAINE

Migraine has been a well known medical problem for over 5,000 years and represents one of the most investigated types of head pain. Research on large groups of people has shown that in the U.S. 18% of women and 6% of men suffer from migraine.1 This extrapolates to approximately 18 million females and 5.6 million males over the age of 12 with this disorder.2 The prevalence of migraine, according to the Center for Disease Control, has increased 60% from 1981 to 1989.3 4 The economic impact of migraine is staggering, with annual cost of the disease estimated at 18 billion dollars.5

CAUSES OF MIGRAINES
The basic cause of migraine is still unknown. Although genetics may play a role, with 50 to 70% of migraine sufferers reporting a familial occurrence, no consistent biochemical or physiological characteristic can be recognized in the relatives of those afflicted with the condition.6

PHYSICAL AND FUNCTIONAL CONCERNS
There are several theories as to what causes a migraine and what happens to us when they occur. One of these theories suggests that certain arteries in our brain contract and cause a reduction in blood flow to the visual area of our brain. It is suggested that this reduction of blood flow results in the visual and other symptoms that accompany a migraine.

This theory further suggests that the pain that often follows these symptoms was the result of dilation (expansion) of the carotid artery and pressure on the nerves in the artery wall. Yet another theory proposes that nerve cells in the brain begin to lose function which causes a reduction blood flow, which reduces levels of magnesium, which in turn adds to decreasing nerve cell function and that this dysfunction spreads in a wave like fashion to all effected areas.7 Many researchers feel that serotonin, an important brain chemical may fuel migraines.8 9 10 11 12 13 Platelets (components of our blood) contain all of the serotonin normally present in blood, and, after they aggregate, (clump together) serotonin is released, resulting in a potent constricting effect on the arteries.14 15 16 17

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
The two most important categories are migraine without aura (common migraine) and migraine with aura (classic migraine). A diagnosis of migraine without aura is made if the patient fulfills specific criteria. The patient must have a history of five previous similar episodes, with pain lasting between 4 and 72 hours. Additionally, they must meet two of the following four characteristic symptoms: (1) unilateral head pain; (2) pain must be throbbing or pulsing; (3) an experience of moderate to severe pain which inhibits or restricts the ability to function;(4) pain is made worse by routine physical activity. Furthermore, they must have one of the following two symptoms present: (1) nausea and/or vomiting; (2) adverse reactions to light or sound.18 In contrast, migraine with aura employs the same diagnostic criteria as common migraine with the following exceptions. Patients only need a history of two prior migraine attacks and must fulfill three of the following four criteria: (1) one or more aura symptoms; (2) aura symptoms that develop over more than 4 minutes; (3) aura lasts less than 60 seconds; (4) headache follows within 60 minutes of the aura ending. Auras represent several forms of visual disturbances that are described as dark or black point(s) that may or may not expand and obscure the patient’s vision. The black spot may be surrounded by lights with zigzag lines. Patients with classic migraine symptoms may exhibit stroke-like symptoms including symptoms affecting one hand, arm, or side of the face.19 It is interesting to note that migraine sufferers are more likely to experience specific headache variants including intense throbbing head pain, brought on by exertion (exert ional headache); ice-pick-like pains or electrical jabs, called stabbing headaches; and unilateral, intense eye pain.20 21

TREATMENT
For the migraine sufferer, there is a wide variety of therapeutic approaches both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic. However, for practical reasons the management of migraine can be divided into two categories; abortive and preventative. As abortive treatment of migraine simply address the symptoms, via the use of drugs. Initial therapy for mild migraine headache is usually aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (e.g. ibuprofen and naproxen sodium). These pain relievers, along with sleep in a quiet, dark room, an ice pack on the head and an anti nausea drug.22 23

Certain drugs that constrict arteries are used with varying degrees of success and side effects. Your pharmacist can discuss them with you. Some of these drugs, though effective frequently result in rebound headache and other side effects.24 25
Another drug, sumatriptan (Imitrex (r)),has been shown to reduce the intensity of moderate to severe migraine headaches.27 Side effects from this type of drug include, tingling, heaviness, and a sensation of pressure. In contrast to abortive therapy, preventative drug strategies can be employed if the frequency of migraine attacks is sufficiently high. Propranolol is widely prescribed in the United States as a treatment for migraine prevention. Although it has proven to be effective in migraine prevention, its side effects include fatigue, depression, impotence, insomnia, dizziness, and cold extremities.28 Like drug intervention, non-pharmaceutical preventive therapies may also be effective. These include behavioral modification techniques such as stress management, biofeedback, exercise, acupuncture, trigger point injections and numerous physical therapy techniques (e.g. massage, manipulation and transcutaneous nerve stimulation).29

PHYTOMEDICINE CONSIDERATIONS

FEVERFEW

Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) is a member of the daisy family (Asteraceae) and is a short, bushy perennial that grows along fields and roadsides. Its yellow-green leaves and yellow flowers resemble those of chamomile, for which it is sometimes confused.

The flowers bloom from July to October. The leaves are used in medicinal preparations.30 The name “feverfew” is derived from the Latin for “chase away fevers.” It is mentioned in the Greek literature as a remedy for inflammation and swelling as well as menstrual cramps. Feverfew enjoyed wide use by British herbalists as an analgesic in the treatment of fevers and arthritis, but faded into obscurity.

Feverfew has enjoyed a revival over the past two decades due to approval of its use for treatment of migraine by both the Canadian and British governments.

ACTIVE CONSTITUENTS: The most important of these compounds is parthenolide . First identified in 1960, parthenolide is the portion of the leaf believed to be responsible for feverfew’s anti-migraine activity.31 A critical consideration in commercial feverfew products has been the highly variable content of parthenolide. An analysis of commercial feverfew products in Canada found about half are virtually devoid of this compound.32 As a minimal standard, the Health Protection Branch of the Health and Welfare Department of the Canadian Government has proposed that feverfew preparations should contain at least 0.2% parthenolide content.
Health care practitioners should also be aware that parthenolide is highly unstable and seek feverfew extracts that address this issue. Your pharmacist has identified one of the few sources of feverfew where the parthenolide content is assured.

MECHANISM OF ACTION: Feverfew, and specifically parthenolide, inhibits platelet aggregation (which if you remember can release serotonin which may fuel migraines) and histamine release. It has also been shown to inhibit release of serotonin from platelets 33,34 This is believed to reduce the severity, duration and frequency of migraine headaches and lead to an improvement in blood vessel tone.35,36 37

CLINICAL APPLICATIONS: Clinical studies with feverfew have focused on the treatment and prevention of migraine and have primarily taken place in Great Britain. These studies indicate the efficacy of feverfew as a useful tool in the long-term management of migraines.

The initial clinical study enrolled migraine patients who had been using feverfew for several years.38 Seventeen patients were enrolled and given either feverfew (50 mg daily) or placebo. Eight patients, who remained on feverfew, experienced continued relief of migraines over a six month period. The nine receiving placebo had an almost three-fold increase in migraines. Many of these headaches were incapacitating, and anxiety, insomnia and muscle and joint soreness were also reported. This has prompted some concern at the abrupt cessation of feverfew therapy. A second study enrolled 72 migraine sufferers.39 They received either 82 mg of feverfew daily or placebo.

Treatment with feverfew for four months led to a decreased incidence and severity of migraines. Feverfew also led to less vomiting attacks and fewer visual disturbances during migraine attacks. Adverse events were mild (primarily mild gastrointestinal upset and nervousness) and did not result in discontinuation of treatment.

RECOMMENDED DOSAGE: Appropriate dosing of feverfew leaf for migraine prevention is based on parthenolide content. The Canadian Health Protection Branch has granted a Drug Identification Number (DIN) for feverfew.40 They recommend a daily dosage of 125 mg of a dried feverfew leaf preparation from authentic Tanacetum parthenium containing a minimum of 0.2% parthenolide for migraine prevention. This translates to a daily parthenolide dosage of at least 250 mcg. This should be considered a minimum amount for efficacy. Results from studies that are not yet published indicate that 100 mg. per day of feverfew extract at .7% parthenolide content may be desirable. (Remember that over 50% of most feverfew extracts have little or no parthenolide content regardless of their label claims. Your pharmacist can help to avoid this problem. Continuous use for at least four to six weeks is recommended.

SIDE EFFECTS/CONTRAINDICATIONS: In addition to the adverse events listed in the clinical studies above, the most common side effect reported with feverfew has been mouth ulceration.41 This has predominantly been found in individuals chewing the leaves not with higher quality standardized extracts. Scattered reports of dermatitis have been reported with use of feverfew. To date, no long-term toxicity studies have been performed. Feverfew is contraindicated for pregnant or lactating women and should not be used in children under the age of two years.

MAGNESIUM

It has pointed out that various factors which are known to trigger migraines (namely stress, pregnancy, menstruation, alcohol ingestion, and some diuretics) also promote magnesium depletion.50 In addition, magnesium exerts many of the same effects as drugs that are helpful in the prevention or treatment of migraines.51 These effects include: (1) inhibition of spasm; (2) inhibition of platelet aggregation; (3) stabilization of cell membranes; (4) interference with the synthesis, release or action of inflammatory compounds; and (5) improvements in cerebral vascular tone. In addition, brain magnesium concentrations were significantly lower by 19% in patients during a migraine attack than in healthy controls. These observations suggest that magnesium may play a role in the prevention and/or treatment of migraine. Clinical trials have supported that possibility. In an open trial, more than 3,000 patients with common or classical migraine received magnesium (usually at a dose of 200 mg/day).52 Almost all of the patients were women and most were of childbearing age. The “success rate” was reported to be 80%, but the criteria for determining success were not specified.

CONDITION-SPECIFIC MONOGRAPH SERIES

MIGRAINE
That uncontrolled study was followed by a double-blind trial in which 20 patients with perimenstrual migraine received 360 mg/day of magnesium or a placebo.53 The treatments were given for two months, starting on the 15th day of each menstrual cycle and continuing until menstruation. At the end of the treatment period, the “Pain Total Index” (which measures duration and intensity of migraines) was significantly lower in the magnesium group than in the placebo group. The number of days with headaches was significantly reduced in patients receiving magnesium, but not in those given placebo. Prior to the start of treatment, white-blood-cell (WBC) magnesium concentrations were lower in the migraine patients than in healthy controls.

Magnesium treatment was followed by a significant increase in WBC magnesium levels. These data suggest that magnesium deficiency contributes to the dysfunction of perimenstrual migraine. In another double-blind study, 81 patients aged 18 to 65 years with migraines (mean attack frequency, 3.6 per month) were randomly assigned to receive magnesium (600 mg every morning) or a placebo for 12 weeks. 54 The frequency of attacks was significantly reduced in the magnesium group, compared with the placebo group (by 41.6%vs. 15.8%; p < 0.05). The duration and intensity of attacks also tended to decrease compared to placebo, but the difference was not statistically significant. Diarrhea occurred in 18.6% and gastric irritation in 4.7% of patients receiving magnesium. One study failed to find a beneficial effect of magnesium for migraine prevention. 55 In that study, 69 patients with migraines were randomly assigned to receive magnesium (242 mg twice daily) or a placebo, in double-blind fashion, for 12 weeks. Response to therapy was assessed according to the criterion of the International Headache Society; i.e. a reduction of at least 50% in the duration or intensity of migraines. Using that criterion, approximately 30% of patients in each group were considered responders, with no significant difference between groups. However, this negative finding should be interpreted cautiously. Only a few studies have measured improvement according to the protocol of the International Headache Society and most of those studies showed no significant benefit from the treatment being tested. Even beta-blockers (a class of drugs known to prevent migraine recurrences) were ineffective when tested by the International Headache Society criteria.

It is noteworthy that 33% of patients receiving magnesium (but only 11% of patients given placebo) felt that their treatment was superior to previously used migraine medications. Thus, the results of this study are not inconsistent with previous reports of a beneficial effect of magnesium.

Magnesium has also been given intravenously to treat acute episodes of migraine.56 Forty patients with an acute migraine attack were given 1 g of magnesium sulfate (in a 10% solution) over five minutes. Fifteen minutes after the infusion, 35 patients (87.5%) experienced at least a 50% reduction in pain. Nine patients (22.5%) had complete relief of pain. In 21 of the 35 patients who improved, relief persisted for 24 hours or more. The effectiveness of magnesium was related to the pre-treatment serum concentration of magnesium. This study suggests that intravenous administration of magnesium is an effective treatment for acute migraine attacks, particularly in patients whose serum magnesium concentrations are low. These studies provide a rationale for oral magnesium supplementation for migraine prophylaxis.

A reasonable dosage is 200 to 600 mg/day (the larger amounts should be taken in divided doses with meals to reduce the risk of diarrhea). Intravenous administration of magnesium may also be considered as a method of aborting acute migraine attacks. While measurement of serum ionized magnesium might be useful to predict which patients are most likely to respond to intravenous magnesium, this test is not yet commercially available.

A therapeutic trial with intravenous magnesium is usually acceptable, provided that the physician is trained in proper administration of this compound. Dr. Alexander Mauskop of the New York Headache clinic has lead the research in the use of magnesium and has been issued a patent on the subject. Dr. Mauskop is considered internationally to be one of the leading experts on all types of headaches including migraines. His book “The Headaches Alternative” is available from Dell Publishing, N.Y, N.Y.

RIBOFLAVIN

49 patients with recurrent migraines were given riboflavin, 400 mg/day with breakfast, for at least three months.57 The mean number of migraine attacks fell by 67% and mean migraine severity improved by 68%. One patient stopped treatment because of gastric intolerance (that person was also taking small amounts of aspirin), but no other side effects were reported. This study suggests that riboflavin supplementation may reduce the recurrence rate of migraines.

OTHER INGREDIENT CONSIDERATIONS

GINGER
Ginger (Zingiber officinale) contains constituents that inhibit platelet aggregation.42,43 44,45 While all of these actions point to the potential use of ginger with migraine, controlled clinical trials are lacking. One case study published in the Journal of Ethno pharmacology reported on a 42 year old female migraine sufferer who found relief taking 500 to 600 mg of ginger powder mixed with water every four hours for four days.46 The patient was instructed to begin ginger at the onset of visual aura. The authors report improvement within 30 minutes of beginning ginger. They also note that continued use of ginger by the woman led to decreased frequency and intensity of migraines.

GINKGO BILOBA EXTRACT
GBE has been shown to offer some promise for the management of migraines in two small French clinical trials.47 48 49 The daily dose ranged from 120 to 240 mg. Clearly, more research is needed on the potential use of GBE for migraine.

L-TRYPTOPHAN
It has been suggested that migraines are related to a deficiency of serotonin in the brain.58 As the precursor to serotonin, L-tryptophan might therefore play a role in migraine prevention.

To test that hypothesis, eight migraine patients who had been resistant to therapy received 500 mg of L-tryptophan every six hours or a placebo (L-leucine), each for three months, in a double-blind, crossover trial.59 The mean headache index(number of attacks multiplied by the intensity) was 32.8% lower with L-tryptophan than with placebo. Although that difference was not statistically significant, headache indices were markedly lower in four of the eight patients during L-tryptophan treatment, compared to placebo treatment. These results are consistent with the possibility that L-tryptophan is of value for a subset of migraine patients. In a double-blind study, migraine patients received 3 g/day of L-tryptophan or a placebo for one month.

60 Patients receiving L-tryptophan had significantly fewer migraines of significantly shorter duration than did patients receiving placebo. These observations suggest that L-tryptophan may have preventive value for a portion of migraine patients. L-tryptophan has not been reported to cause any severe side effects. However, in 1989 a contaminated batch of L-tryptophan was implicated as the cause of a severe and sometimes fatal disorder known as eosinophilia myalgia syndrome. Uncontaminated L-tryptophan, on the other hand, has not been associated with this disorder. Currently, uncontaminated L-tryptophan is available by prescription from compounding pharmacists.

FISH OIL
Interest in the relationship between fish oil and migraines was triggered by the observation that migraine patients had significantly lower concentrations of omega-3 fatty acids in platelet and red blood cell membranes, compared with healthy individuals.61 Omega-3 fatty acids (which are found primarily in fish oils, flaxseed oil and some other vegetable and nut oils) are known to inhibit platelet aggregation. This effect would presumably decrease platelet serotonin release, with an accompanying reduction in cerebral artery spasm and migraine attacks.
Fifteen patients with migraines that had failed to respond to anti-migraine drugs received (in random order) a fish-oil concentrate (vegetable oil) for six weeks, in a double-blind, crossover trial.62 Compared with placebo, treatment with the oils resulted in a significant reduction in mean headache intensity. Fish-oil concentrates can cause gastrointestinal side effects, but are otherwise usually well tolerated. Other sources of omega-3 fatty acids (such as flaxseed oil) might conceivably have a beneficial effect, as well.

[‘]
It is generally accepted that a small proportion of migraine patients will react to tyramine, a chemical found in aged cheese, yogurt, beer, wine, liver, yeast and certain other foods. In these patients, avoidance of tyramine-containing foods will often prevent recurrences of migraine. Abnormal glucose metabolism has been identified in some patients with migraines. In one study, a five-hour glucose tolerance test was performed on 74 patients who experienced migraines in the mid-morning or mid-afternoon.63 Six patients (8%) were classified as diabetic and 56 (76%) had a pattern consistent with reactive hypoglycemia (a large drop in blood sugar after a meal). Following dietary therapy with a low-sucrose, six-meal regimen, all patients with a diabetic glucose curve and 56% of those with reactive hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) had an improvement of greater than 75% in the frequency and severity of migraines.

Food allergy has also been implicated as an important factor in migraine. In one study, 60 patients who had been suffering from frequent migraines for a mean duration of about 20 years followed an exclusion diet for five days.64 During that time, only two low-risk foods (usually lamb and pears) and spring water were consumed. Migraines disappeared in most cases by the fifth day. Each patient then tested one to three common foods per day, looking for reactions. The mean number of foods causing symptoms was 10 per patient (range, 1 to 30). The foods most frequently causing symptoms and/or pulse changes were wheat (78%), orange (65%), egg (45%), tea and coffee (40% each), chocolate and milk (37% each), beef (35%), corn, cane sugar and yeast (33% each), mushrooms (30%), and peas (28%). When the offending foods were avoided, all patients improved. The number of headaches in the group fell from 402 to 6 per month, with 85% of the patients becoming headache free. This study provides strong evidence that identification and avoidance of allergy causing foods is an effective procedure for a large proportion of patients with chronic recurrent migraines. Patients with recurrent migraines should be evaluated for possible blood-sugar abnormalities and food allergies. When either of these abnormalities is found, appropriate dietary modifications should be made. In addition, a trial of a low-tyramine diet should be considered.

Series Editor
Donald Brown, N.D.
Dr. Brown is the founder and director of Natural Product Research Consultants and the editor of the Quarterly Review of Natural Medicine. He is a faculty member of Bastyr University in Seattle, Washington, where he teaches herbal medicine and therapeutic nutrition. Dr. Brown’s book, Herbal Prescriptions for Better Health, was published in February 1996 by Prima Publishing.

CONTRIBUTORS

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FROZEN GRAPES – NATURALLY SWEET SUMMER TREAT

The perfect low calorie, naturally sweet summer treat!

These frozen bites always stay icy, but not frozen solid. They must be eaten as soon as they are removed from the freezer before they thaw completely.

1. Wash and dry green or red grapes.
2. Place in sealable plastic bag.
3. Keep in freezer for 2 hours or until frozen.
4. Fill a bowl with several ice cubes and place the bag in the bowl to keep cool while you enjoy!

Wow…What a Great Migrelief Success Story!

We recently received a post on our MigreLief Facebook page that simply said, “MigreLief saved my life!” We contacted this MigreLief fan to discover a great success story worth sharing:

Dear Makers of MigreLief,

Yes, I would love to share my story! I’ve attached it because I couldn’t get it to fit in facebook.

After I had our youngest, who is now 8, I began to have horrible headaches and eventually migraines. I was experiencing aura, tunnel vision and major nausea. I suffered for about 5 years with a migraine at least once(usually twice) a week that lasted at least 2 days. My doctor prescribed Imitrex, and it sometimes worked but left me feeling horrible too.

About 3 years ago, a customer came in to my office one day and could tell by my eyes that I was migraining. She told me I had to read about Migrelief and give it a try. She was a sufferer too, and raved about how Migrelief changed her life. I went straight to Super Supplements and began taking it that day. I noticed a change within a week…I was no longer having cluster headaches and realized that I had NOT had a headache just about every day since I was a teenager. I was just so used to having headaches, I didn’t know what it felt like to not have one! After about 3 weeks of taking Migrelief, I stopped having headaches and migraines all together. In the last 3 years, I have only had 2 migraines, and they didn’t last very long. I was able to take Ibuprofen to get rid of them.

I still take one Migrelief tablet every day. I will never stop taking it! Recently, our local Super Supplements was sold out and I called all over the Seattle area to find some more. I ended up driving 20 miles to the only store that had it in stock and bought the last 3 bottles they had on their shelf. I have told many others about your product and they too have become believers!

I always say Migrelief saved my life because it’s true. I was not the mom, wife or friend I needed to be because of my health. I couldn’t make plans and missed out on so many events with my children because I had a migraine.

Thank you for making a product that is changing lives!

Nancy

Exercise Program Reduces Migraine Suffering

A new study published in Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain examining the effects of indoor cycling further support that non-aggressive, non-stressful exercise might help some migraine sufferers. While physical exercise has been shown to trigger migraine headaches among sufferers, this study describes an exercise program that is well tolerated by patients. The findings show that the program decreased the frequency of headaches and improved quality of life.

In my estimation, stress is a definitive contributor to migraines. Gentle, consistent exercise like walking has been shown to decrease stress and therefore may help reduce migraine frequency.

If you decide to add exercise to you daily routine, do it slowly and gently. It is unknown whether or not walking will generate similar results reported for indoor cycling in this study. (*See below)

– – Curt Hendrix

FROM THE HEADACHE: JOURNAL OF HEAD AND FACE PAIN…

*The study used a sample of migraine sufferers who were examined before, during and after an aerobic exercise intervention. The program was based on indoor cycling (for continuous aerobic exercise) and was designed to improve maximal oxygen uptake without worsening the patients’ migraines. After the treatment period, patients’ maximum oxygen uptake increased significantly. There was no worsening of migraine status at any time during the study period and, during the last month of treatment, there was a significant decrease in the number of migraine attacks, the number of days with migraine per month, headache intensity and amount of headache medication used.

Individuals with headache and migraine typically are less physically active than those without headache. Patients with migraine often avoid exercise, resulting in less aerobic endurance and flexibility. Therefore, well designed studies of exercise in patients with migraine are imperative.

“While the optimal amount of exercise for patients with migraine remains unknown, our evaluated program can now be tested further and compared to pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments to see if exercise can prevent migraine,” says Dr. Emma Varkey, co-author of the study.

Riboflavin Prophylaxis in Pediatric and Adolescent Migraine

Journal of 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.

Abstract

Migraine is a common disorder in childhood and adolescence. Studies on adults show the effectiveness and tolerability of riboflavin in migraine prevention, while data on children are scarce. This retrospective study reports on our experience of using riboflavin for migraine prophylaxis in 41 pediatric and adolescent patients, who received 200 or 400 mg/day single oral dose of riboflavin for 3, 4 or 6 months. Attack frequency and intensity decreased (P < 0.01) during treatment, and these results were confirmed during the follow-up. A large number of patients (77.1%) reported that abortive drugs were effective for controlling ictal events. During the follow-up, 68.4% of cases had a 50% or greater reduction in frequency of attacks and 21.0% in intensity. Two patients had vomiting and increased appetite, respectively, most likely for causes unrelated to the use of riboflavin. In conclusion, riboflavin seems to be a well-tolerated, effective, and low-cost prophylactic treatment in children and adolescents suffering from migraine.

PMID: 19649688 [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE]

Migraines Confer a Protective Effect Against Breast Cancer

Research published in 2009 indicates that women with migraine headaches have a reduced risk of developing breast cancer. 4500 pre and postmenopausal women between the ages of 34-65 were studied and the results were that women with migraines regardless of their age of menopausal status had a 26% lower risk of having breast cancer. The researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center stated that they did not understand how migraines conferred their protective effect against breast cancer and further research was needed to try to understand its mechanisms.

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (2009, July 10). Link Between Migraines And Reduced Breast Cancer Risk Confirmed In Follow-up Study. ScienceDaily

Belly Fat and Migraine Risk

Is there a connection with belly fat and migraine risk?

In a paper presented at the American Academy of Neurology, a recent study suggested that patients between the ages of 20-55 ( both men and women but especially women) who had a bigger waistline, particularly with excess fat around the stomach, were at increased risk of experiencing migraines. Waist circumference was found to be a better predictor of migraine activity than general obesity in both men and women up until age 55.

Earlier research has linked obesity with an increase in the frequency of migraines in people who already have them. But the new study is one of the few to suggest that obesity raises the overall risk for migraines.

The fat cells can release inflammatory proteins called cytokines, which may play a role in causing migraines. Gentle, but consistent aerobic exercise with moderate calorie reduction can help reduce abdominal fat and help chronic migraineurs.

If monthly or more frequent migraines are something you struggle with learn about MigreLief at www.migrelief.com.