It starts as jagged little lines in your vision otherwise known as an aura. Usually one side of the head fills like it is ready to explode or implored. Bright lights really do you in and the doctor does not seem to be able to help you. “We are not sure of the cause”, she says. “Take this jagged little pill and why don’t you call me later this week if you still cannot function.” – OUCH!
Modern medicine seems to be at a loss for what causes migraines. As a suggestion by one of my readers, I have decided to spend some time in exploring what is available. The findings – not much, but don’t despair there is hope as research and clinical practice has provided some clues. There are quite a few research papers on migraines and the treatment with IV magnesium sulfate. The question then becomes what are the mechanisms involved so that we can make a drug to treat migraines. Of course I don’t ask questions like that. Better is the question is it sulfur or sulfate deficiency or a magnesium deficiency or is it a combination of the two.
We know that sulfites are a significant trigger for migraines. But I would not discount sulfate as an aid to the solution to migraines. I find it extremely interesting that IV magnesium sulfate is used for the treatment pre-eclampsia. Is it the sulfate or the magnesium or both that helps with the high blood pressure in pregnant women? It has been shown by Dr. Hollis of the Medical University of South Carolina that higher levels vitamin D significantly reduces the possibility of pre-eclampsia during pregnancy.
The question then becomes how does something as simple as Epsom salt relieve both pre-eclampsia as well as migraines? We also know from an earlier post that magnesium sulfate is significant in treating pulmonary hypertension. Another yet unexplored clue. As always statements give us a state but questions lead on a quest.
If we take all the clues and toss them into the air and let then rotate in quantum permutations, it would seem that vitamin D, magnesium, and sulfur as sulfate act both independently and together. Acting independently vitamin D controls a significant amount of mineral balance and hormonal activation and balance. The mineral balance of course leads to fluid balance across membranes. Vitamin D3 is the gate keeper for the sodium-sulfate transport through all dermal layers. The magnesium is the ion of choice for the ATP/ADP energy transfer and is the ion of choice for over 350 of the body’s enzymes. Sulfate acts in many ways as in helping to control fluid pressure in arteries and membranes. As an example, since I have assured an adequate amount of sulfate intake, my blood pressure has stabilized at 115/70- not bad for a fat sixty plus grumpy. Also the sulfate makes a water soluble ester of super oxide dismutase that is your body’s cellular waste removal system. Blocking of the mitochondrial bodies in their effort to produce usable energy, whether from not having enough magnesium for transport or sulfate for waste removal is certainly an issue.
So what to do? I guess if I had migraines, I would assure that I was getting an adequate amount of each of these nutrients. You could start by taking 40 IU of vitamin D3 per pound of body weight. The serum for vitamin D or 25(OH)D is critical and should be maintained above 60 ng/ml- get tested. Magnesium and sulfate may be solved by simply soaking in an Epsom salt bath about three times per week once your serum vitamin D is high enough to allow for the transport of sulfur to take place properly. Alternative would be to take about 1000 mg of MSM per fifty pounds of body weight (found at your local vitamin store) and 3.5 to 4.5 mg per pound of body weight of magnesium as a chelate like, aspartate, malate, glycinate or an amino acid chelate. I would suggest not taking magnesium hydroxide like milk of magnesia or magnesium oxide. It you are taking magnesium oxide, just throw it into the commode because that is where it will end up – not absorbed in your gut. Also for sulfate, you may consider that you eat at least three cups of the combination of cruciferous and alliums vegetables each day. Think cold slaw with an onion diced into it or asparagus with garlic. Also be sure to take a multiple vitamin to assure you are getting the minerals necessary to make the sulfate esters, i.e. manganese, copper, zinc, etc.
To recap: vitamin D, magnesium as a chelate, sulfate, and a multiple vitamin. Sounds too simple – it must be right. The key is to get enough of each. Also be sure to eliminate all foods that contain sulfites. This may be a difficult task as it is used as a preservative and in wine and sometimes even on salads to keep them fresh. The body will preferentially take on the sulfite and interfere with the desired sulfate reactions.
My wife recently complained that she thought she was getting a migraine which seems to run in her family. Distorted vision and a low throbbing in her head were her symptoms. I had her take 800 mg of magnesium as magnesium malate along with ten thousand IU of D3 and the symptoms left. I would not have any suggestions otherwise unless it is so severe that you may want to consider IV magnesium sulfate – see your doctor. You could try a teaspoon full of Epsom salt in coffee or tea. More than two teaspoons full and you will start to reach bowel tolerance as Epsom salt is used as a laxative.
Pain is not felt in the brain because there are no sensory nerve endings, which allows surgery on the brain while being conscious. So where is the pain felt in headaches? – don’t know, but when I have a headache it sure feels like it is in the brain. Maybe it is because the neurons are so clogged with waste, not enough energy, and improper sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium balance it pains you. -Pandemic Survivor
More info on migraines and magnesium: http://mgwater.com/listd.shtml#migraine
Note: The serum test for magnesium does not correspond to cellular levels of magnesium. It may take several months to become replete in magnesium.
Vitamin D Deficiency Survivor 