Even if migraines are not regarded as a life-threatening health issue, it is still one of the most studied and often encountered sources of stress.
Even so, scientists have not discovered yet a way to treat migraines effectively. On the other hand, they considered the entire range of possible causes that might lead to this unpleasant health problem. After accounting for sleep problems, food intolerances, and other medical conditions, experts came up with the idea that vitamin deficiencies might be one of the leading causes of these severe headaches.
It means that if people start being more careful with their diet, they might decrease the frequency level of migraines. Young adults, teenagers, and children participated in a recent study that had the purpose of establishing how much the lack of vitamins influence migraines occurrence.
Based on the results, the participants suffering from migraines had lower levels of coenzyme Q10, riboflavin (B-2) and vitamin D. According to Dr. Andrew Hershey, director of the Migraine Center at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, mitochondria depend on these vitamins to provide our body with enough energy.
However, the researchers learned that the excessive use of vitamins had the same effect on people who were more likely to suffer from migraines. It means that any vitamin imbalance in our bodies causes a decrease in our energy level, making us feel tired and powerless.
Some 7,691 young patients suffering from migraines were observed during the study based on blood tests to determine their level of folate, coenzyme Q10, riboflavin and vitamin D. It turned out that 15 percent of them had low levels of riboflavin. Plus, another 30 percent of them had an even lower level of coenzyme Q10. In addition to this, around 70 percent of the participants had critically low levels of vitamin D.
Furthermore, boys and young men were more likely to suffer from vitamin D deficiency, whereas girls and young women were more predisposed to have a lack of coenzyme Q10. Plus, every patient with chronic migraines had a lower level of coenzyme Q10 compared to those who had only episodic migraines.
Nevertheless, further investigation is needed in order to establish a clear connection between vitamin deficiencies and migraines. All in all, people should become more aware of the fact that vitamins are a vital part of their diet.
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