Migraine Headaches Protocol — 2012
The following protocol gets at the heart of the problem with migraines.
1. CoQ10. Researchers from the Head and Pain Unit at the University Hospital Zurich discovered in a
clinical trial that CoQ10 daily cuts migraine frequency by half.1 Use 100 mg of the Ubiquinol form of
CoQ10. Go to www.swansonvitamins.com [or call 800-437-4148] and order #SWU377, $21.89 for 60
capsules and take one a day.
2. Riboflavin (B2). In one trial of 49 people with reoccurring migraines, the participants were given 400
mg daily for 3 months. After three months, the average number of acute attacks decreased by 67% and
severity was reduced by 68%. In a separate double-blind trial, patients taking B2 had at least a 50%
reduction in the number of headache days.2 Go to the Swanson site above and order product #SW018, a
100 mg capsule of B2, $2.99 for 100 capsules. Take three a day [morning, daytime, and evening].
2. Feverfew
Take a standardized product daily. Order from Swanson the product #SWH147, $3.99 for 60 capsules,
and take one in the morning daily.
3. Magnesium
One of magnesium’s main jobs is to tone the blood vessels. Scientists have linked certain types of
migraines to problems with blood flow and pressure in the vessels. So, if you have low magnesium levels,
you could benefit from taking magnesium supplements.3 In a double-blind trial of 81 people, 600 mg of
magnesium after two months reduced the frequency of migraines by 41.6%4. Order from Swanson the
product #SW196, a 200 mg capsule for $3.69 for 250 capsules. Begin by taking just one in the morning
with food. Then after three days, two a day {morning and in the afternoon, with food]. As long as you
tolerate it, then after three days move up to three a day [morning, afternoon, and evening — taking it with
food]. Continue the three a day. Ideally taking magnesium with B2 will significantly improve the
amount of magnesium that accumulates in your cells. Alternatively taking just one 400 mg magnesium
capsule [Swanson’s #SW808, $3.99 for 100 capsules] and B2 is an alternate strategy that is a little simpler
in many respects.
4. Lugol’s Solution. Some have just used 2 drops of Lugol’s solution per day — and found it eliminated
their migraines. This is definitely be worth a try. For Lugol’s, order from Swanson #LGS001, a bottle for
$10.99 and use 2 drops a day in water or juice [use no more than this]. Some have reported that the above
supplements with the Lugol’s was the only effective solution.
Do all of the above — do not start with just one. Usually a multi-pronged approach is the more effective
course. This regimen is easier than it might appear: Take a B2, feverfew, a 400 mg capsule of
magnesium, and a CoQ10 in the morning. Take two feverfew and 2 drops of Lugol in the evening. This
will likely have a huge effect.
References
1. Sándor P. S. et al. “Efficacy of coenzyme Q10 in migraine prophylaxis: a randomized controlled trial,” Neurology February
22, 2005; 64(4): 713-5.
2. Canadian Family Physician, Oct., 2003
3. Magnesium: Murray M and Pizzorno J. Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine, Rev. 2nd Edition, Prima Pub., 1998.
4. Peikert A, Wilimzig C, Kohne-Volland R. “Prophylaxis of migraine with oral magnesium: Results from a prospective, multicenter, placebo-controlled and double-blind randomized study.” Cephalalgia 1996; 16(4):257-63.
Migraine – Three easy strategies
A. Researchers at the University of Kiel in Germany have stumbled upon a unique technique for treating
migraine pain. When a mixture of peppermint oil and ethanol (ethyl alcohol) was dabbed onto the
foreheads of 32 participants in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, the participants experienced an
almost immediate lessening of headache pain. [1] Peppermint oil is available in health food stores, and
ethanol is available in pharmacies and liquor stores as pure grain alcohol. Mix the two together before
applying to the skin. Another source of peppermint oil is from Swanson’s at www.swansonvitamins.com
with product NWF266, $7.19 for 2 ounces. Mix one teaspoon of oil with one of alcohol. Keep it in a
tight container and use as needed. Carry a small bottle of it in the glove compartment of your car, in your
purse, or otherwise handy when needed.
B. Researchers at the University of Liege in Belgium have found that mega-doses of riboflavin, vitamin
B2, are useful in preventing migraine headaches. Studying 55 mild-to-moderate migraine sufferers aged
18-65 whose pre-testing frequency ranged from two to eight episodes per month, those who took 400
milligrams of B2 daily had 37% fewer attacks, with greatly-reduced severity of the continuing episodes.
The riboflavin therapy was well tolerated, the only side-effect being diarrhea in one participant. [2] I
suggest Swanson’s time-released product, SW070, a 125 mg time-released product, $7.99 for 100 tablets,
taking one tablet three times a day. This total of 375 mg as time-released should provide a suitable
regimen such as the one used above.
Some experts suggest that supplementing for two to three months may be necessary before the positive
benefits are seen. If supplementing with extra B2, it’s best also to supplement with a protocol containing
all of the B-vitamins (B complex) such as the product identified above since this keeps your balance
among the B vitamins.
C. Oral magnesium supplementation at the level of 300-400 mg daily (in two divided doses with meals)
also has been shown to prevent the onset of migraines. For some, the combination of oral magnesium and
riboflavin [vitamin B2] is particularly effective.
References
1. Gobel, H., et al. “Effects of peppermint and eucalyptus oil on neurophysiological and experimental
algesimetric headache parameters.” Cephalgia, 14(3):228-234, 1994.
2. Schoenen, J., et al. “High-dose riboflavin as a prophylactic treatment of migraine: Results of an open
pilot study.” Cephalgia, 14:328-329, l994.
Migraine and Inflammation
As the literature indicates, inflammation is another cause of migraine or at least can certainly enhance the
condition. The easiest approach to reduce inflammation is to take curcumin each day. You can select the
easier approach such as a product called Meriva [see Swanson’s Vitamin Company for an inexpensive
source, product #SWU493, $10.99 for 60 capsules and take from one to two a day depending upon your
own circumstances].
For a more powerful anti-inflammatory regimen but slightly more complicated, select Swanson’s
SWH084, a 875 mg curcumin capsule, $17.99 for 60 capsules. Take one to two capsule once or twice a
day. With each serving, you must take a capsule of Bioperine, product SWU308, 60 capsules for $3.49
since this powerful pepper-based supplement multiplies the absorption of the curcumin several-fold.
The Meriva product above solves the absorption issue with another approach and packages the answer in
one product. Either way, curcumin needs help to do its job.