FAQ Episode 65: Whatever migraine med you're taking, add this.

Frequently Asked Questions about Natural Migraine Relief

Your body needs nutrients because they play key roles in day to day function and repair. There are times and situations where you need additional amounts to manage genetic shortfalls and situational or environmental stressors. Migraine headaches are an excellent example of this, and no matter what prescription drug your doctor might offer, it is advisable to consider as a front line measure the safe and inexpensive repletion of basic reparative nutrients.

A recent study supports this approach. A meta-analysis of 45 clinical trials published in the October 2024 JAMA Open Network¹ looked at the response of 2617 pediatric patients to several migraine drugs, with and without the support of Vitamins D3 and B2 (riboflavin.) They found that adding these nutrients to migraine meds gave a superior result to medication alone. Due to variations in these studies, there were no details on the Vitamin D3 or riboflavin dosages, so we don’t know if optimal amounts were administered. These results replicate other studies that show the synergy between optimal nutrient support and focused pharmaceutical therapy.

Whether on meds or not, consider these nutrients

I’ve found that between the literature support and my own clinical experience there are four front line nutrients that should be considered for every single patient with migraine. These would include magnesium, Vitamin D, riboflavin and CoQ10. This regimen is a simple, safe and relatively inexpensive approach to the management of nutrient deficits and their impact on migraines. And, they are safe and effective as an add on to any regimen you may already be on, or are considering.

Here are two resources for your consideration of this advice. Take a look at:

1. my FAQ Episode 40: Vitamin Deficiencies predict migraine risk post on why nutrients play a role in migraine management.

2. a free part of my paid course Lesson 6: Integrative Therapy for Migraines to give you some background and details on “The Basic Four” nutrients I recommend to all of my migraine patients. Click the Lesson 6 link just above and after reading the first~10 paragraphs you will see the dosing details for those four key nutrients. You can easily find them in a local grocery or online.

I cover many direct and tangential aspects of non-drug approaches to migraine management in this blog and in my online course, but considering time, cost, safety and benefit, taking the Basic Four for a three month trial is easily the #1 front line piece of generic advice I can give you. It doesn’t have to be a “New Year’s Resolution,” but it may be a great way to head toward less migraines in the coming year!

1. “Preventive medications in pediatric migraine: a network meta-analysis. Gargri, O, et. al. JAMA Netw Open. 2024;7(10):e2438666. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.38666