A recent review of
existing experimental studies found that daily supplementation with riboflavin
can significantly reduce migraine frequency.
Migraine headaches are a common
but debilitating neurological disorder.
Approximately 12% of Americans suffer from migraines and it is estimated
the condition costs our healthcare system over 78 billion dollars annually. Migraine
symptoms are typically characterized by intense pulsing or throbbing pain in
one area of the head and are often accompanied by visual disturbances, nausea,
vomiting, dizziness, sensitivity to light and sound, and/or tingling in the
extremities and face.
The pathophysiology of
migraine headaches is complex and involves many diverse dysfunctional areas in
the brain. One of the major genetic disorders that has been linked to migraine
headaches is dysfunctional mitochondria (the powerhouses of our cells). Riboflavin, also known as B2, catalyzes the activity
of flavoenzymes in mitochondria and it is via this mechanism that riboflavin is
believed to aid in better functioning of neural cell metabolism and migraine
relief. Previous research suggests a
high percentage of migraine sufferers have at least mild deficiencies in riboflavin.
What
to do: Riboflavin
supplementation will not help all sufferers of this diverse condition but it
does appear remarkably effective for some and, unlike most migraine
medications, it has the benefits of being very safe and inexpensive. So, if you suffer from migraines consider supplementing
with 300-400mg of riboflavin daily for 2-3 months. Foods that are especially rich in riboflavin
include eggs, meat, and dairy. In the U.S. flour is also fortified with
riboflavin.
Adapted from article
available at:
https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Riboflavin-HealthProfessional/
Source:
Thompson DF, Saluja
HS. Prophylaxis of migraine headaches with riboflavin: A systematic review. Journal of Clinical Pharmacy & Theraputics 2017;00:1–10. Published online ahead of print May 8, 2017. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpt.12548
