Magnesium deficiency & Migraines

Magnesium may help alleviate or prevent one of the most painful and debilitating conditions that can afflict adults—migraine headaches. Numerous studies strongly suggest that a person’s magnesium status may be associated with the severity and frequency of migraine headaches.

“We know that 50% of all migraine sufferers are magnesium-deficient,” says Dr. Altura, PhD, professor of physiology, pharmacology and medicine at the SUNY Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York. Many factors play a role in magnesium deficiency. “Sixty percent of migraine patients have genetic variances that don’t allow them to effectively metabolize and transport magnesium well,” says Dr. Altura.

Intravenous infusion of magnesium results in rapid and sustained relief of an acute migraine in these patients.18 Dr. Altura and colleagues found that intravenous infusions of ionized magnesium brought about significant pain reduction in more than 80% of patients within 15minutes of administration.19 In another study, Dr. Altura noted that magnesium in fusion produced a complete elimination of migraine-induced symptoms such as nausea and photophobia (light sensitivity).20 (Intravenous magnesium infusion should be performed at a physician’s office or hospital.)

Magnesium works on the symptoms of migraines by relaxing blood vessels in the brain and inhibits the ability of calcium to constrict blood vessels.

Prevention is preferable to treatment, particularly when it comes to migraine headaches. Fortunately, oral supplementation with magnesium has been shown to reduce the frequency and duration of migraines.
18,21 Magnesium even shows efficacy in preventing menstrual migraines, which occur in women of childbearing age and tend to be more frequent and disabling than non-menstrual migraines.22 And since lower magnesium levels have been correlated with more severe neurological symptoms when migraines do occur,21 there is a strong motivation for migraine-prone individuals to diligently consume plentiful magnesium.” source: http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2008/may2008_Magnesium-Widespread-Deficiency-With-Deadly-Consequences_01.htm

Intravenous Mg infusions eliminated migraine symptoms

“Intravenous magnesium sulphate relieves migraine attacks in patients with low serum ionized magnesium levels: a pilot study” Mauskop A, Altura BT, Cracco RQ, Altura BM. Clin Sci (Lond). 1995 Dec;89(6):633-6. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8549082
Oral Mg supplementation has been shown to reduce the frequency and duration of migraines.

“Role of magnesium in the pathogenesis and treatment of migraines”, Mauskop A, Altura BM. Role of magnesium in the pathogenesis and treatment of migraines. Clin Neurosci.1998;5(1):24-7; http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9523054

Magnesiumprevents menstrual migraines

“Contrasts in cortical magnesium, phospho lipid and energy metabolism between migraine syndromes” Boska MD, Welch KM, Barker PB, Nelson JA, Schultz L. Neurology.2002 Apr 23;58(8):1227-33 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11971091
Lower Mg levels have been correlated with more severe neurological symptoms during menstrual migraines.

Menstrually related migraine: breaking the cycle in your clinical practice. Silberstein SD,Goldberg J. J Reprod Med. 2007 Oct;52(10):888-95. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17977161