Having conducted and published research on magnesium and seeing dramatic improvement from magnesium in many of my patients, I try to write about magnesium at least once a year. Up to half of migraine sufferers are deficient in magnesium and could greatly benefit from it.
Magnesium supplements are considered “probably effective” for the prevention of migraine headaches, according to the American Headache Society and American Academy of Neurology guidelines. The reason magnesium is listed as only probably effective is poor design of most clinical trials. There was no selection of patients – magnesium was given to all without any regard to their magnesium status. Obviously, those who did not have a deficiency did not benefit from taking magnesium and they diluted positive results seen in those who were deficient.
A study conducted by researchers at George Mason University looked at the dietary and supplement data of 2,820 American adults between 20 and 50 years old. They found that higher dietary intake of magnesium led to lower risk of migraines in both men and women. This relationship was even stronger in women, but not men who took magnesium supplements.
They also found that the average consumption of magnesium in these 2,820 Americans was only 70%-75% of the Recommended Dietary Allowance. Obviously, it is better to get your magnesium from food, such as whole grains, dark leafy vegetables, avocados, legumes, and other. However, changing your diet is not easy, so the second best choice is to take a supplement. I recommend 400 mg of magnesium glycinate, but other magnesium salts can also help.
About 10%-20% of our patients who are deficient in magnesium either do not absorb magnesium (we check their RBC magnesium levels) or do not tolerate it and get diarrhea. They do very well with a monthly intravenous infusion of magnesium.
Magnesium has many benefits besides relieving migraines, including possibly preventing Alzheimer’s disease, reducing the size of a stroke, post-concussion syndrome, fibromyalgia, palpitations, asthma, muscle cramps, “brain fog”, and other symptoms.
