Nutrients for Headaches and Migraines
Learn about 7 nutrients that affect risk and severity of headaches including migraines, and which foods supply them.
Headaches and migraines are neurological conditions that significantly impact the lives of many individuals in the United States. A headache is characterized by pain in any region of the head, varying in intensity, duration, and cause. Migraines, however, are a specific type of headache disorder marked by recurrent episodes of severe, throbbing pain in which episodes often accompany nausea, vomiting, and heightened sensitivity to light and sound. Some individuals may experience an “aura” before the onset of a migraine, involving visual disturbances or tingling sensations.
Migraines and severe headaches are common in the U.S., affecting a substantial portion of the population. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2018, 20.0% of women and 9.7% of men reported experiencing a severe headache or migraine in the past three months. The prevalence was highest among individuals aged 18–44 years and tended to decrease with age.
This article explains the links between headaches (including migraines) and 7 different nutrients, including specific vitamins, minerals, amino acids and fatty acids. It’s important to clarify that while nutrient-dense eating can decrease the frequency, severity, and duration of headaches, that no nutrient or supplement has a proven track record of treating a headache once it occurs. In addition, headaches are influenced by many factors beyond food alone, including genetics, age, medications, hormones, hydration, sleep, stress, physical activity, and caffeine intake. A nutrient-rich diet can improve health outcomes including reducing headaches, but it is not a guarantee, a cure, or a moral safeguard.
In addition, frequent or severe headaches could be a symptom of a serious underlying health condition, so make sure to consult your healthcare provider.
So, let’s actually start with causes of and risk factors for headaches, to create the appropriate context for our review of the nutrients that lower severity and occurrence.
Causes and Risk Factors of Headaches and Migraines
