Migraine headaches are extremely distressing and difficult to treat. Vitamin B1 might reduce the frequency and intensity of migraines.
Migraine is a neurological condition that causes severe headaches and, in many cases, nausea and vomiting. People with migraines usually can’t work during the attack. A darkened room with absolute silence is often the only place where migraine sufferers can stay.
Although migraine triggers are known, science is still groping in the dark when it comes to the causes and treatment of most attacks. It is not known what exactly happens in the body during a migraine and hardly any preventive measures are known.
FOODS THAT CAN CAUSE MIGRAINES
A migraine attack can be triggered by stress or hormonal fluctuations. Diet can also play a role, but it is difficult to make valid general recommendations.
Wine, cheese, and caffeine are common migraine triggers, although paradoxically caffeine can also relieve pain in some cases. Some medications may also be at the source.
CAN VITAMIN B1 HELP WITH MIGRAINES?
If some foods can cause migraines, others can prevent them. A study published in the journal Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain indicates that vitamin B1 (thiamine) may help prevent migraines in some patients.
Vitamin B1 is essential for nervous system health, mood balance and intellectual performance. In addition, it is involved in carbohydrate metabolism and collagen formation.
In the study, researchers at Zhengzhou University analyzed data from more than 13,000 participants, 2,745 of whom had experienced an episode of severe headache or migraine in the past three months.
The age of the participants, their lifestyle, possible other diseases and especially their diet were recorded. It was especially evident among women that the more thiamine (vitamin B1) they consumed in their diet, the lower the risk of migraines.
The study confirms that diet has a notable influence on the onset of migraines and that vitamin B1 could base its preventive effect on the fact that it participates in the regulation of serotonin levels in the brain.
FOOD SUPPLEMENT OF VITAMIN B1 AND MAGNESIUM
Vitamin B1 could be a useful dietary supplement for migraine sufferers. As the activity of vitamin B1 is closely related to magnesium, it is possible that if there is a deficiency of this mineral, supplementation with only B1 may not produce any effect. Luckily, foods rich in vitamin B1 also usually contain quite a bit of magnesium.
The requirement of vitamin B1 for an adult is 1 to 1.3 mg per day. If you want to take vitamin B1 as a dietary supplement, it is recommended to take a vitamin B complex, as they support each other and optimize their effect.
As a magnesium supplement, magnesium citrate is recommended, which is quickly absorbed. Both can be taken as a preventive measure or at the first sign of migraine.
Scientific references:
- Li D et al. Dietary intake of thiamine and riboflavine in relation to severe headache or migraine: A cross-sectional survey. Headache.
