Riboflavin May Reduce Frequency and Severity of Migraines

A Little Goes a Long Way

In a world of big cars, big houses, and supersized meals comes word that smaller could actually be better. Apparently, chronic migraine sufferers can get big relief by supplementing with a small amount of riboflavin (vitamin B2).

A study in the journal Headache reports that just 25 mg a day may reduce the frequency and severity of migraines, dismissing an earlier study that showed that a larger quantity of the supplement was needed to gain the same effect. Previous research reported that a higher dose of 400 mg. of riboflavin could prevent these types of headaches.

This latest study followed 52 recurrent-migraine sufferers for three months. They were randomly assigned to receive either the low dose of 25 mg. of riboflavin each day or a daily combination of 400 mg. of riboflavin, 300 mg. of magnesium, and 100 mg of the herb feverfew. All three have separately been shown in earlier studies to reduce the frequency of migraines.

While members of each group responded to their assigned therapy, the average severity of headaches and the number of days participants reported with tension headaches decreased significantly for those receiving low-dose riboflavin. Relief was not as drastic for those given the combination therapy.

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Let’s face it

Q: I have been plagued with acne as an adult. I didn’t experience this as a teenager so I am wondering what has caused these belated outbreaks. Over-the-counter preparations just dry my skin out and don’t solve the problem. Can you recommend something for me?

JVW: Diet plays a major role in acne. What you put in your body shows up on your face, or in some cases, chest and back. With this in mind, a little detective work can help you pinpoint what makes your skin erupt and also what foods help keep it clear.

The biggest offenders are refined sugar and refined carbohydrates. They do nothing for your skin, and eliminating them from your diet will have the additional benefit of improving your overall health, too.

I have also found that 15 to 30 mg. of zinc a day for mild acne, or up to 30 mg. two to three times daily for more severe cases can be very effective in controlling outbreaks. Combine the zinc with 1 mg. of copper for every 15 mg. of zinc that you take.

If your breakouts are triggered by the onset of your menstrual cycle, then B vitamins can be helpful. Try 10 mg of folic acid a day and 50 mg of vitamin B6 two or three times a day for relief. For men, I recommend 200 mg of selenium.

As for topical treatments, they generally don’t address the causes of acne. Some of them, like like Retin-A or azelaic acid for acne rosacea, do a good job of dealing with the symptoms. But for a long-term strategy, it is best to treat acne from the inside out.

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What is…a migraine headache?

Migraines are severe headaches that can be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and vision problems. The headaches can last hours or days. They are more common in women than in men and the first attack usually occurs before age 20.

Diet appears to play a role in the development of migraines. Certain wines and aged cheeses can trigger these types of headaches in some people because these foods contain tyramine. In others, allergic reactions to wheat, oranges, eggs, coffee, tea, and beef seem to be the cause. But a number of factors, alone or in combination, can bring on an attack in a susceptible person.

Yours in good health,
Amanda Ross
Editorial Director
Nutrition & Healing

Sources:
Headache 2004; 44: 885-890