Low dietary intake of magnesium increases the risk of migraines

Magnesium supplementation for the prevention of migraine headaches has been gaining wider acceptance. Dozens of studies, including several of our own, have shown that migraine sufferers often have a magnesium deficiency. Studies have also shown that taking an oral supplement or getting an intravenous infusion of magnesium, relieves migraines.

The causes of magnesium deficiency include genetic factors, poor absorption, stress, alcohol, and low dietary intake of foods rich in magnesium. A study just published in the journal Headache looked at the dietary intake of magnesium, including supplements, in those with migraines compared to people without migraines.

The study included 3626 participants, 20- to 50-years old. A quarter of these people suffered from migraines. People who consumed the recommended daily amount (RDA) of magnesium had a lower risk of migraine. This risk was the highest in those who were in the bottom quarter of magnesium consumption.

This was a correlational study, meaning that it does not prove that taking magnesium prevents migraines. However, common sense and our clinical experience, combined with all the previously published studies, strongly support taking magnesium to prevent migraines.

There are many other benefits of magnesium that I’ve written about in this blog – just enter “magnesium” into the search box and you will find a few dozen posts.