Are migraines triggered by a lack of sunshine? Those who suffer attacks are ‘often lacking vitamin D’

June 10, 2016

Migraine attacks can involve nausea, dizziness and severe headaches
Children and young adults who suffer attacks had vitamin levels tested
Most were found to be deficient in vitamins D and B2 and enzyme CoQ10
Hopes further studies will show if supplements can prevent attacks

Kate Pickles For Mailonline

Published:
12:00 EST, 10 June 2016

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Updated:
12:11 EST, 10 June 2016

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A lack of the sunshine could be triggering migraine attacks in children, teenagers and young adults, a study has found.

Migraine attacks cause dizziness, nausea and headaches – and although painkillers and other drugs can ease the symptoms, they only work for some patients.

Now a study has found a lack of vitamin D, vitamin B2 or riboflavin and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) – an enzyme the body produces to help energy for cell growth and maintenance – in a high percentage of migraine sufferers.

Many of the migraine sufferers were found to be lacking in vitamin D which the body produces when in sunlight

Vitamin D is produced by the skin when its exposed to sunlight and is also founds in foods such oily fish and eggs.

Riboflavin is also found in milk, eggs and rice helps keep skin, eyes and the nervous system healthy and the body release energy from the food we eat.

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Meanwhile, CoQ10 is an enzyme the body produces naturally in the liver and is used to turn the glucose from the food we eat into an energy-rich compound called adenosine triphosphate.

This is essential for fuelling the body’s vital processes, such as breathing, muscle contraction and digestion.

Researchers at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center suggested these deficiencies may be involved in patients who experience migraines but the connection is unclear.

Migraine attacks cause dizziness, nausea and headaches – and although painkillers and other drugs can ease the symptoms, they only work for some patients. But vitamin supplements could help

The study analysed the records of patients with migraines who had baseline blood levels checked for vitamin D, riboflavin, CoQ10 and folate, all of which have been implicated in causing migraines.

MIGRAINES: A DEBILITATING CONDITION

A migraine is usually a severe headache felt as a throbbing pain at the front or side of the head.

Some people also have other symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting and increased sensitivity to light or sound.

Migraine is a common health condition, affecting around one in every five women and around one in every 15 men. They usually begin in early adulthood.

They can severely affect quality of life and stop you carrying out your normal daily activities. Some people find they need to stay in bed for days at a time.

The exact cause of migraines is unknown, although they are thought to be the result of temporary changes in the chemicals and blood vessels in the brain.

Around half of all people who experience migraines also have a close relative with the condition, suggesting that genes may play a role.

Some people find migraine attacks are associated with certain triggers, which can include starting their period, stress, tiredness and certain foods or drinks.

Source: NHS Choices

Many were put on preventive migraine medications and received vitamin supplementation, if levels were low.

Because few received vitamins alone, the researchers were unable to determine vitamin effectiveness in preventing migraines.

Lead author and headache medicine fellow Dr Suzanne Hagler said more research would be needed to establish the connection.

‘Further studies are needed to elucidate whether vitamin supplementation is effective in migraine patients in general, and whether patients with mild deficiency are more likely to benefit from supplementation.’

She found that girls and young woman were more likely than boys and young men to have CoQ10 deficiencies from the off.

Boys and young men were more likely to have vitamin D deficiency, they found.

It was unclear whether there were folate deficiencies.

Patients with chronic migraines were more likely to have CoQ10 and riboflavin deficiencies than those with episodic migraines.

Migraine is a common condition, affecting more than 37 million people in the US and eight million in the UK.

Many experience at least one migraine attack per month.

Previous studies suggested certain vitamins and vitamin deficiencies may be important in the migraine process.

Studies using vitamins to prevent migraines, however, have had conflicting success.

The findings were presented at the 58th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Headache Society in San Diego.