Migraines and Magnesium

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Low magnesium has been identified as a contributor to migraine headaches. In non-moenpausal women, estrogen rises just before her period causing a shift in blood magnesium into the bone and muscles while lowering brain levels. These low brain levels promote neurotransmitter hyperactivity and nerve excitation that can lead to headaches. Magnesium deficiency also relaxes blood vessels and allows them to dilate reducing the spasms and contstrictions that can cause migraines. Low levels also inhibit excess platelet aggregation, preventing the formation of tiny clots tat can block blood vessels and caue pain. It also relaxes muscles and prevents the buildup of lactic acid which along with muscle tension, can worsen head pain. When migraine sufferers with low magnesium ion levels received IV magnesium, they experienced complet alleviation of their symptoms. Doctors recommend 6 mg /day of supplemental oral magnesium per day. Some take as much as 300 mg twice a day resulting in the frequency of migraines being reduced by 41.6 percent.