Is vitamin B1 effective against migraine?

Migraine is a neurological condition that causes severe headaches and, in many cases, nausea and vomiting. People with migraines are usually unable to work during the attack. A dark room with absolute silence it is often the only place migraine sufferers can stay.

Although migraine triggers are known to exist, science is still groping in the dark when it comes to the causes and treatment of most attacks. It is not known exactly what happens in the body during a migraine and preventative measures are hardly 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 origin.

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 It is essential for the health of the nervous system, for mental balance and intellectual performance. In addition, it is involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates and the formation of collagen.

In the study, researchers from Zhengzhou University (China) analyzed data from more than 13,000 participants, of whom 2,745 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 evident especially among women that the more thiamine (vitamin B1) they consumed in their diet, the lower their risk of migraines.

The study confirms that diet has a notable influence on the appearance of migraines and that vitamin B1 could base its preventive effect on the fact that 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. Since the activity of vitamin B1 is closely related to magnesium, it is possible that if there is a deficiency of this mineral, supplementation only with B1 may not produce any effect. Luckily, foods rich in vitamin B1 are also often high in magnesium.

The vitamin B1 requirement 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, since the vitamins support each other and optimize their effect.

As a magnesium supplement, it is recommended magnesium citrate, which is rapidly absorbed. Both can be taken as a preventative measure or at the first sign of a migraine.

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