Experiencing a headache is a discomfort most people experience at some point. They can occur for a variety of reasons. Here, we take a look at the basic causes of headache, and then discuss a few of the healthy lifestyle choices that can help you navigate around them. Then, we examine five supplements which are most apt to help ward off headaches.
Causes of Headaches, and How to Avoid Them
The sensations of headache can occur on the face or in the head, and they usually consist of a feeling of pressure that is painful and/or throbbing. Headaches can result from a variety of factors, and they can vary in type, severity, frequency, and location.
Medically speaking, there are more than 150 types of headaches. They fall into two main categories. Primary headaches are those not caused by an underlying condition: these include tension-type headaches (the most common), as well as migraines. Secondary headaches, on the other hand, are a symptom of an underlying condition, which can include dehydration, sinusitis, or more serious conditions such as those affecting the spine.
From this point on, we will focus on tension-type headaches, migraine headaches, and other forms of primary headaches. Primary headaches are often caused by lifestyle factors, such as alcohol consumption, smoking, poor sleep, poor posture, excessive coughing or laughing, and other factors.
Simple daily, healthy choices can help you avoid primary headaches. Among these healthful strategies are staying hydrated, taking steps to relax and avoid stress when needed, as well as getting sufficient rest.
5 Supplements to Help Ward off Primary Headaches
Some vitamins, herbs, and minerals have properties that can help the body side step a mild, primary headache. None of these are a replacement for sound lifestyle choices but rather an addendum to them. Here are five supplements which can help ward off headaches:
Magnesium is a mineral that can work against various types of primary headaches. One form, magnesium oxide, can be taken daily to prevent migraine headaches as well stave off the aura which often precedes a migraine headache. Research shows that magnesium supplementation can also reduce the risk of tension-type headaches.
Riboflavin, also known as vitamin B2, can help prevent migraine headaches by reducing oxidative stress. In turn, this diminishes the inflammation in the brain which precipitates migraine. Research shows that taking 400mg of this vitamin daily helped reduce the frequency and duration of migraine headaches, as well as their severity, in people prone to suffering migraine headaches.
CoQ10, short for co-enzyme Q10, is an enzyme which occurs naturally in the body. Studies show that taking CoQ10 is a useful preventative supplement for migraine. Taking CoQ10 regularly can reduce the frequency and severity of migraine headaches. CoQ10 is helpful primarily because it supports the effective functioning of cellular mitochondria.
Feverfew is an herb with a history of traditional use for treating headaches. It has been proven to help prevent migraine headaches, as well as the other symptoms that can occur due to migraine.
Vitamin D is the last top supplement we recommend for headaches. Supplementing with vitamin D can help prevent and treat migraine headaches, by supporting magnesium absorption and reducing inflammation in the brain.
If you or someone you love experiences migraine or other types of primary headaches, then at least one of these supplements is bound to be of help in providing relief. It’s recommended that you consult your healthcare provider before trying any new supplement.