There have been studies and talk in the past and a bit more discussion recently about whether or not the B vitamins, any or which of them, might help reduce migraine attack numbers and intensity. It’s certainly something to research, think about and discuss with your health care pro.
Here’s a new article about a recent small Australian study involving migraine with aura, B6, B12, folic acid (B9) and genetics to add to your migraine information library.
I currently take extra B2 but had backed off from taking a strong B vitamin complex last year when I was taking so many supplements, having more migraine attacks, and not knowing what was helping or hurting. My neurologist confirmed that in some cases taking a B complex could actually cause more migraines. It’s important to discuss with your doctor any potential migraine approaches; even when they’re generally healthy vitamin supplements.
If you’re anything like me, it’s frustrating and difficult to be patient and take the time and care to test out supplements, medications, and lifestyle changes that might improve your health, but those investments can have invaluable returns.
you’re right as I have discovered that B complex vitamins trigger migraines in my 9 year old (other triggers include aged cheeses and MSG). Even Odwalla’s B Monster drink causes my daughter to come down with migraines. There’s something about the combination of certain b vitamins that does this.
Hi, I’m glad to hear from you but not happy to hear that your 9-year-old has migraines!
I have trouble with too much cheese and MSG as well.
You’re the first person I know of to have this experience with B vitamins and I’m relieved that I’m not the only one. People talk about and take supplements like candy. I don’t think we realize sometimes that they can have serious effects, too, even though we think they’re “safe” and only vitamins.
I wish you and your child the best and hope that you can identify all the triggers. I’m still trying, after all.
I too have just discovered that B-complex triggers aura migraines for me. I have found much relief from some supplements. I have moved from having on average one aura migraine per month to the point where I can go up to a year or more without a migraine. The supplements that have made a difference are acetyl-l-carnitine (ALCAR) taken with lipoic acid (LA). Both are readily available and inexpensive. 500 mg ALCAR taken with 200-300 mg LA twice daily is sufficient. I also take about 2000 mg Vitamin C daily as well. I take some other supplements, but these were the first I tried about ten years ago and it has made a tremendous difference. The infrequency of headaches now has made it much easier for me to determine foods and vitamins that cause headaches. Here are the migraine triggers that I have determined: N-Acetyl cysteine (NAC), b-complex vitamins, green tea, chocolate. Interestingly, green tea in loose leaf form will trigger a headache. However, you can inexpensively purchase green tea extract powder that is 40 – 50 % catechins (like egcg) the extraction process must remove the migraine triggering chemical as I can drink this just fine dissolved in hot water, and do. Green tea extract powder typically is decaffeinated, however caffeine does not bother me as I love coffee and drink at least four cups or more daily, so I believe there is another chemical compound in tea that triggers aura headaches for me. I wish you all the best in finding relief from these headaches.
Hi, David, and thanks for your comments and info — I’ll check into the first two supplements you mention. I haven’t added the extra Vit C to my regular routine but had been considering that lately as well.
I’m so happy you have found these things that give you relief from migraines! And I hope to follow you in that regard!
Here is an interesting research finding published recently, http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=CNG.3aaba8b91b0cf13472d553e2fd7a00be.201&show_article=1, titled “Unveiled: First gene link to common migraine”. In short, this genetic variant allows a messenger chemical called glutamate to accumulate in junctions between brain cells, and this unleashes the migraine. Now scientist may have a target to develop drug therapies. All the best!
Hi, David!
Thanks so much for this comment and news alert. I am excited! The migraine community has been looking at and talking about glutamate and developing drugs for a while now, but finally, here is the genetic connection!
I’ll write a post and quote you today. And all the best to you as well!
My experience is it’s the large dose of Niacin in the B Complex that triggers the migraine.
Yes, I think so too, and I wondered about B6 also. One of the side effects listed for Niacin is headache – go figure.