Nearly ten percent of Americans are affected by migraines. Migraines typically are when the blood vessels in the brain dilate and thus cause inflammation and intra cranial pressure. They can be very painful and paralyzing. Causes of migraines may be:
1. Too much or too little sleep
2. Excessive estrogen surplus for women during menstrual cycle (over all women are more likely to have migraines than men)
3. Poor diet
4. Response to certain meditations
5. Physical trauma
6. Emotional trauma
Nutrition
Often times migraines are triggers by multiple causes. When it comes to diet, there are ways to treat migraines and it's best to plan ahead. Here are nutrients or compounds that are known to help prevent migraines:
- Ever hear the phrase metal head? No, it's not about music. Magnesium is a metal that the body builds up in the head to reinforce the cranial structure preventing the effects of head trauma. I'm just kidding. It is about music. Magnesium deals with the nerves, helping them function properly and may be one of the greatest nutrients there is to prevent migraines. It is a metal that is utilized in a large number of natural chemical reactions in the body. It generally accompanies fiber in foods and can be found in bran (oats, wheat, and rice), dried herbs, seeds (pumpkin, watermelon, etc), soy beans, molasses, many nuts, avocado, beans, broccoli, spinach, bananas, kiwi, many meats, and many fishes.
- Vitamin D is known to prevent migraines, is actually considered to be a hormone and is crucial for the health. It is manufactured in the body from cholesterol by mixing UVB (not UVA) rays from the sun or certain types of tanning booths. It's best to get 10 to 15 minutes of sun exposure a day. Additional vitamin D can be found in fish, some oatmeal's, mushrooms, soy, many kinds of cereal, milk, and can also come from supplements (vitamin D3 is the most natural kind of Vitamin D). Still, light and consistent sun or UVB exposure is being uncovered as the best and most natural way to get vitamin D and other minerals.
- Large amounts of riboflavin (Vitamin B2) have been known to prevent migraines. Sources of riboflavin include mushrooms, spinach, peppers, squash, beans, sweet potato, asparagus, cabbage, broccoli, pumpkin, mustard, chives, artichoke, turnips, tomato, cauliflower, peas, onions, eggs, liver, marmite, dried herbs and spices like paprika or chili powder, Almonds, soybeans, cheese, and fish.
- Caffeine is a drug stimulant that may be used to increase the speed effectiveness of other drugs, including aspirin. Many drugs, like aspirin, already have doses of caffeine in them for this purpose. By itself, caffeine relaxes the blood vessels, may stop inflammation, and is most commonly found of coffee, dark chocolate, and soda.
- Antioxidants include beta-carotene, lutein, lycopene, Vitamins A, C, E, zinc, and selenium). Basically, antioxidants repair and prevent cellular damage caused from the body's use of free radicals. Many great benefits come from high and balanced amounts of Antioxidants most of which are found in produce like fruits and vegetables. Huge amounts of foods contain antioxidants; just a few of them are Apples, berries, grapes, onions, broccoli, grapefruit, peppers, tomatoes, carrots, nuts, squash, corn and many more. Try not to over cook many of these foods, because it may destroy the natural enzymes or if steamed remove some of the healthy nutrients.
- Feverfew comes from a Latin word meaning fever reducer. It's a plant that can be consumed directly or made into a supplement, used throughout many parts of the world. It is shown to be very effective for a large portion of people.
- Coenzyme C0Q10 is a natural substance, much like a vitamin, used by most every cell in the body for energy production. It has been shown to greatly help evade or possibly eliminate migraines. C0Q10 can definitely be supplemented and found in organ meats like the kidneys, liver, heart and other foods like beef, fish, peanuts, sardines, and soybean oil.
- Melatonin is a hormone with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant characteristics. Taking it at bed time could be a very effective treatment for Migraines. Melatonin is a supplement which can even come from feverfew
- Omega 3 essential fatty acid has a great many health benefits. It's an unsaturated "healthy" fat that can act as an anti-inflammatory. It is often made into a supplement form. Food sources of Omega 3 include flaxseed oil, fish oil, flaxseed, walnuts, sardines, and most notably salmon.
Treating Migraines With Nutrition
Click here to view treating migraines part 2 where we learn what foods to avoid. http://ezinearticles.com/?Treating-Migraines-With-Nutrition-Part-2&id=6864396
Ryan Morris is a fitness specialist for the online personal training site, http://www.youronlinefitnesstrainer.com.