ascorbic-acid and Migraine-Disorders

Migraine is the most common form of headache disorder globally. The etiology of migraine is multifactorial, with genetic components and environmental interactions considered to be the main causal factors. Some researchers postulate that deficits in mitochondrial energy reserves can cause migraine or an increase in homocysteine levels can lead to migraine attacks; therefore, vitamins could play a vital role in migraine prevention. For instance, riboflavin influences mitochondrial dysfunction and prevents migraine. Genes such as flavoenzyme 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), especially the C677T variant, have been associated with elevated plasma levels of homocysteine and migraine with aura. Homocysteine catalyzation requires the presence of vitamins B6, B12, and folic acid, which can decrease the severity of migraine with aura, making these vitamins potentially useful prophylactic agents for treating migraine with aura. Menstrual migraine, on the other hand, is associated with increased prostaglandin (PG) levels in the endometrium, indicating a role for vitamin E, which is an anti-PG. Vitamin C can also be used as a scavenger of reactive oxygen species for treating neurogenic inflammation in migraine patients. This paper reviews possible therapies based on vitamin supplementation for migraine prophylaxis, focusing on migraine with aura and menstrual migraine.

Topics: Adult; Ascorbic Acid; Epilepsy; Female; Folic Acid; Genotype; Homocysteine; Humans; Menstruation; Migraine Disorders; Migraine with Aura; Vitamin B 12; Vitamin B 6; Vitamin E

To investigate the preventive effects of a combined antioxidant drug (N-acetylcysteine, vitamin E, and vitamin C [NEC]) on migraine outcomes. Migraine is characterized by increased oxidative stress and neurogenic inflammation in the brain; therefore, antioxidants may have a migraine preventive effect.. Randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled pilot study.. Australian community.. Adults reporting 2 to 8 migraines per month for at least a year.. After a 1-month baseline period, 35 subjects completed 3 months of treatment with NEC (n = 19) or sham (n = 16) capsules. The primary outcome was the difference in mean number of headaches per month between baseline and final month of the trial for NEC and sham groups; secondary outcomes are listed below.. For NEC there was a significant decrease in mean number of headaches by 3.0 per month (P = 0.004) compared with 1.4 for sham (P = 0.073); there was no significant difference in these changes between the 2 groups (P = 0.052). Average monthly headache (P = 0.041) and migraine frequency (P = 0.018) were significantly less for NEC vs. sham. In NEC subjects, there was a significant decrease in average monthly migraine days (-3.1), moderate/severe headache days (-3.2), migraine duration, headache pain scores, and acute headache medication use.. This is the first randomized controlled trial to find that combined antioxidant therapy with NEC reduces headaches and migraines in adult migraineurs. Given the limitations of this pilot study, an adequately powered randomized controlled trial is planned to further investigate antioxidant prophylaxis in migraine.

Topics: Acetylcysteine; Adult; Aged; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Australia; Double-Blind Method; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Migraine Disorders; Pilot Projects; Treatment Outcome; Vitamin E

Prevention of primary pain is a new topic, endowed with social and economic interest. We observed that L-5-HTP can induce a significant decrease of the cropping out of migraine, the commonest primary pain. This finding seems interesting, since it represents the first data in the field and was obtained in a prospective, long-term, placebo controlled study. The result obtained suggests that CNS abnormalities underlying the mechanism of migraine can be changed by L-5-HTP, if the amino acid is administered to subjects who are predisposed to headache.

Topics: 5-Hydroxytryptophan; Analgesics; Ascorbic Acid; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Hyperalgesia; Male; Migraine Disorders; Pain; Pain Measurement; Placebos; Prospective Studies; Risk Factors; Time Factors

Topics: Adult; Ascorbic Acid; Clinical Trials as Topic; Double-Blind Method; Humans; Male; Migraine Disorders

To examine the prevalence of headache or migraine complaints and the use of dietary supplements, and to determine their correlation according to sex.. This population-based cross-sectional study used data from a 2005 National Health Interview Survey of 15,414 participants (age 18-65 years) in Taiwan. Prevalence of headache or migraine complaints was accessed by a single question on their occurrence during the previous 3 months. Dietary supplement use was evaluated by another single question. Data were stratified by sex and analyzed using independent t-test, chi-square test, and multivariate logistic regression.. The prevalence of headache or migraine complaints was 17.2% in males and 32.4% in females. The percentage of women taking supplements was 31.8%, which was much higher than the 15.5% of men. In male supplement users, use of isoflavones had a significantly higher odds ratio (OR) of headache or migraine complaint compared with those of male without use of isoflavones (adjusted OR = 3.86, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.68-8.85). In females, vitamin B complex, vitamin C, and green algae supplement use had higher likelihoods of headache or migraine complaint in comparison to those of female without use of supplements (adjusted OR = 1.28, 1.21, and 1.43; 95% CI = 1.05-1.57, 1.03-1.42, and 1.07-1.90, respectively).. This population-based study confirmed sex-specific associations between headache or migraine complaints and the use of dietary supplements, warranting further investigation of the underlying causes.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Ascorbic Acid; Chlorophyta; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dietary Supplements; Female; Headache; Health Surveys; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Migraine Disorders; Prevalence; Sex Factors; Taiwan; Vitamin B Complex; Young Adult

This was the open-label study to evaluate the potential benefit of Pinus radiata bark extract and vitamin C as a treatment for migraine.. Fifty outpatients with chronic migraine refractory to at least two prophylactic medications were treated with an antioxidant formulation of 1200 mg Pinus radiata bark extract and 150 mg vitamin C daily for 3 months. Patients completed migraine disability assessment (MIDAS) questionnaires at the beginning and end of the study to assess migraine impact on work, school, domestic and social activities over the three months prior to enrollment and the three month treatment period. Patients continued existing pharmacologic medications during the study. Patients who were responders were assessed for migraine impact using MIDAS questionnaires every 3 months for 12 months.. Twenty nine patients (58%) showed improvement in MIDAS score, number of headache days and headache severity score over the 3 months of treatment. Mean MIDAS score significantly improved from 30.3 days at baseline to 14.4 days; mean number of headache days significantly reduced from 47.9 days at baseline to 25.9 days, and mean headache severity reduced from 8.1 out of 10 to 5.6 after 3 months therapy. The responders who continuously took Pinus radiata bark extract and vitamin C combination for 12 months experienced ongoing migraine relief with more than 50% reduction of frequency and severity of headaches.. These data suggest that the antioxidant therapy used in this study may be beneficial in the treatment of migraine possibly reducing headache frequency and severity.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Ascorbic Acid; Disability Evaluation; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Humans; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Middle Aged; Migraine Disorders; Phytotherapy; Pinus; Plant Preparations; Prospective Studies; Severity of Illness Index; Surveys and Questionnaires; Time Factors; Young Adult

Building on the work of the late John Myers, MD, the author has used an intravenous vitamin-and-mineral formula for the treatment of a wide range of clinical conditions. The modified "Myers' cocktail," which consists of magnesium, calcium, B vitamins, and vitamin C, has been found to be effective against acute asthma attacks, migraines, fatigue (including chronic fatigue syndrome), fibromyalgia, acute muscle spasm, upper respiratory tract infections, chronic sinusitis, seasonal allergic rhinitis, cardiovascular disease, and other disorders. This paper presents a rationale for the therapeutic use of intravenous nutrients, reviews the relevant published clinical research, describes the author's clinical experiences, and discusses potential side effects and precautions.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Adult; Aged; Ascorbic Acid; Asthma; Body Temperature; Calcium Gluconate; Child, Preschool; Depression; Drug Combinations; Fatigue; Female; Fever; Fibromyalgia; Heart Failure; Humans; Hydroxocobalamin; Infusions, Intravenous; Magnesium Chloride; Male; Middle Aged; Migraine Disorders; Pantothenic Acid; Pyridoxine; Respiratory Tract Infections; Vitamin B Complex

Trigeminal evoked potentials (TEP) were studied in 19 patients with migraine without aura. Significant shortening of latent periods of early and late TEP components was observed during stimulation on the side of headache as compared with the same indices during stimulation on nonalgesic side. Hyperreactivity of trigeminal vascular system in patients with migraine without aura during the period between the attacks is discussed. Asymmetry of laten TEP periods may determine the preferential side of headache, on the one hand, and may reflect the changes in trigeminal system following the repeated lateralized fits of migraine, on the other hand. Administration of 1 g of aspirin resulted in increase (normalization) of the latentions of TEP components. After efferalgan administration TEP changes were not registered. The suggestion is made that inhibitory influence of aspirin on the truncal trigeminal system is one of the central mechanisms of its action.

Topics: Acetaminophen; Adult; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Ascorbic Acid; Aspirin; Brain; Cerebral Arteries; Drug Combinations; Evoked Potentials; Female; Humans; Male; Migraine Disorders; Trigeminal Nerve

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Autonomic Nervous System; Calcium; Calcium, Dietary; Humans; Migraine Disorders; Phosphorus; Phosphorus Compounds; Phosphorus, Dietary; Syndrome

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Biliary Tract; Calcium; Calcium, Dietary; Humans; Migraine Disorders; Phosphorus; Phosphorus, Dietary; Syndrome; Vitamins