Supplements for Headaches

About Supplements for Headaches

There are many easily preventable causes of headaches, such as dehydration and stress. However, sometimes headaches can be caused by dental problems, infectious sinusitis and medication side-effects. Identifying the unique cause is important and can often be a challenge, even with the assistance of a healthcare practitioner. For instance, stress can lead to tension in the the superior trapezius muscles (tops of the shoulders). If this tension is strong enough, it can lead to referred pain up and into the temples, causing a temple headache.

In this instance, prevnting further headaches is as simple as sitting with a pen and paper and considering stress management and prevention strategies. For management of the existing headache in this instance, a relaxing shoulder massage can help or utilising a tennis ball against the wall to simulate a massage. Magnesium as well as a balanced electrolyte and clean water intake are important for muscle health and preventing neuromuscular tension.

How you deal with stress is an important determinant of wellness and quality of life. Research published in The Journal of Headache and Pain in 2000 indicated that stress often preceded headache development, which was typically created by minor life events rather than major life difficulties. This suggests that our responses to such life challenges are important and that most people would likely benefit from stress management or relaxation techniques. 

Headaches and migraines can become a greater issue when they recur without an identifiable trigger. Nutritional deficiencies may be linked to the condition, which indicates that the quality of the diet needs to be improved or supplementation is indicated. Sometimes, food additives can be responsible, such as synthetic antioxidants like BHA 320, or chemical exposure in the workplace. The importance of a quality diet cannot be overstated, with as much organic food as possible.

Many supplements have been clinically trialled for headaches and migraines, such as Coenzyme Q10 (COQ10). This endogenously produced antioxidant regulates the last stage of energy production inside the mitochondria. A clinical trial published in 2015 in The Journal of Headache and Pain indicated that a combination of COQ10 (150mg/day), magnesium (600mg elemental/day) and Vitamin B2 (400mg/day) was effective at reducing migraine frequency when taken with a multivitamin and mineral formulation.