If you’re prone to migraines, here’s more bad news: migraines have been shown to have long-term effects on the structure of the brain. One of the unhappy changes is that your brain creates pathways that make it easier for you to feel pain (thanks, brain!). Other research shows that lesions on the brain are associated with migraines. To avoid these downsides, you’ll want to get those migraines under control. Be sure to talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you and try to identify potential triggers, such as allergies and stress, so that you can do your best to avoid them.
In addition, here are two supplements you may want to consider:
1. The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends the use of extracts of the flowering plant fever few to treat severe headaches. Fever few inhibits the release of two substances considered to bring on migraine attacks—serotonin from platelets and prostaglandin from white blood cells. However, it is important to note that fever few does not actually cure a migraine—it only helps prevent or lessen it. It can take several months of regular use for fever few to work. When using capsules or tablets, be sure to read the label carefully; some brands contain only trace amounts of the pure herb. Also, consult with your physician regarding dosage.
2. Preliminary research indicates that taking a high dose (400 milligrams) of riboflavin (vitamin B2) every day may help prevent migraine headaches. Re- searchers caution that you need to make sure that your headaches are true migraines, and that it works best if you have migraines at least twice a month. Most riboflavin supplements contain no more than 100 milligrams per tablet, so you’ll need a prescription to get one that contains 400 milligrams. Talk to your doctor before treating your migraines with riboflavin supplements.