What is migraine?
Migraine is defined as a neurological disorder characterized by severe headaches that appear in repeated attacks and are accompanied in most cases by nausea and sensitivity to external stimuli, such as light and noise.
It is common in the general population in the 25 to 55 age group, affecting 15% to 20% of women and 5% to 10% of men.
The attacks occur at different times and with varying frequency: from brief attacks to extended periods of pain; from isolated occurrences to attacks occurring several times a week or month.
Epidemiological studies have not found any statistically significant connection between a hereditary tendency and migraine headaches, but they have found that such a tendency increases sensitivity to migraine and the effects of environmental and other factors such as hormonal changes, tension, extreme fluctuations in temperature and various foods.
The physiology of migraine, the way it develops and how to treat it are not yet fully understood, hence the many explanations and forms of treatment.
There is a broad range of factors affecting the appearance of migraine, the most common of which are: hormonal changes, socio-demographic influences, lifestyle, nutrition, sleep habits, psychological influences, medication, strenuous physical activity, and external stimuli.
Stimuli that affect the occurrence of migraine
- Food: A wide range of foods can affect the occurrence of migraine. The most common are: caffeine, alcohol, chocolate, smoked cheeses, luncheon meats, canned foods, monosodium glutamate )MSG), the artificial sweetener aspartame, avocados, bananas, nuts, onions, figs and others.
- Hunger: It is advisable to keep regular mealtimes.
- Fatigue or excess sleep: A drop in the levels of the hormone melatonin causes an increase in the severity of migraines.
- Strong odors and lights.
- Changes in the weather and ascent to higher altitudes.
- Strenuous physical activity.
- Monthly menstrual period.
- Negative emotions: stress, fear, anger and depression (7).
Methods of treating migraine include medication and non-medicinal treatments.
It is important to note that there is currently no single specific effective treatment for migraine. The best results have been achieved by a combination of different therapies.
Alternative treatments focus on changing eating habits (avoiding foods that stimulate migraine), taking nutritional supplements (vitamins, minerals and herbs), hormone treatment, aerobic activity, behavioral changes, better ways of coping with stress, depression and anxiety, and good sleep habits.
The Mig-Rid Formula, from the SupHerb Nutrition line, has been specially developed to provide a natural treatment for migraine.
This formula contains a synergistic composition of nutritional elements that have been found to be highly effective in reducing the symptoms and pain of migraine and reducing the frequency of migraine attacks.
Principal uses
SupHerb`s Mig-Rid Formula is effective in:
- reducing the level of pain during a migraine attack
- reducing the frequency and strength of migraine attacks
Principal advantages
As a natural preparation Mig-Rid Formula has two principal advantages:
* it has none of the known side-effects that accompany drug treatments for migraine
* it deals not only with the symptoms of migraine but also with the factors leading to the attacks
About the ingredients
Standard extract of Feverfew (Tarecetum parthenium)
Feverfew, also known as Bachelor`s Buttons, has been used for medicinal purposes since the time of the early Egyptians and Greeks. Historically, the plant was used to treat inflammation.
Today, feverfew is used to treat headaches and especially to prevent migraine, menstrual pain and joint inflammation.
The active ingredient in the plant is called Parthenolide.
This ingredient has anti-inflammatory properties due to its ability to retard to the production of prostaglandins.
Parthenolide also retards the release of histamines, serotonin and inflammatory elements found in the blood platelets.
At the molecular level, it has been found that Parthenolide retards the activity of KappaB-NF, and halts a chain of biochemical events, the most important being the production of nitric oxide, which forms during a migraine and causes the pain.
A comprehensive review of the literature examining the effectiveness of the plant in treating migraine found four studies that meet the strictest criteria for scientific research (double-blind, randomization, placebo control).
In all four studies, a decrease was found in the number and strength of migraine attacks among the group treated with feverfew, compared with the control group.
In a study conducted in Poland, taking feverfew once a day for a period of 60 days led to a statistically significant decrease in migraine attacks.
Another study conducted in England with a group of 72 participants showed a decrease in the number and strength of attacks while taking feverfew. A decrease in vomiting was also observed. There was no change in the duration of the migraine attack.
A controlled double-blind study conducted in Israel in 1997 by Professor Dan Flebitz, Dr. Gideon Iron and Professor Rafi Carraso examined the effectiveness of feverfew as a preventative treatment for migraine.
The study encompassed a group of 45 women and 10 men, aged 65 to 69, who were treated in the pain clinic for migraine attacks which had continued for several years.
The study showed that after four months of treatment using a preparation made from fresh feverfew leaves there was a significant decrease in the severity of the pain and accompanying symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to noise and light.
The researchers found that feverfew has a therapeutic and anti-inflammatory effect, with no side-effects, and concluded that treatment with this plant can be effective in preventing and treating migraine and other forms of headache.
* Magnesium
Magnesium helps to reduce the strength and frequency of migraine attacks.
Magnesium levels among migraine sufferers play an important role in the development of the attacks. Scientific literature shows that 50% of people suffering from migraine have low levels of magnesium.
Magnesium affects the action of neurons in the brain and the creation of energy in the cells. Magnesium levels affect the receptors of serotonin, known as N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors, and the production and release of nitric oxide.
Intravenous treatment with magnesium during a migraine attack led to a sharp and rapid improvement in the condition of the patients.
A study conducted in Germany examined the effectiveness of magnesium as a preventative treatment for migraine. 81 patients, aged 18 to 65 who suffered from an average 3.6 migraine attacks a month, participated in this study. The patients received 600 mg of magnesium or a placebo for a period of 12 weeks. In weeks 9 - 12 the number of migraine attacks decreased by 41.6% in the group receiving magnesium, compared with 15% in the control group (0.05 > P). The duration and strength of the attack and the quantity of medication taken by the patients in the group receiving magnesium was less than the control group, but these results were not statistically significant.
Most of the existing medications for the treatment and prevention of migraine have side-effects. Magnesium has been examined and found to be safe for use in high doses (1 gram per day), with no side effects.
* L-Phenylalanine
Phenylalanine is an amino acid found in abundance in meat and dairy products. It is important for many of the body`s activities and is among the few acids able to cross the blood brain barrier and thus affect brain activity.
Phenylalanine serves as the precursor for the amino acid tyrosine. Tyrosine produces the neurotransmitter norepinephrine in the brain.
This amino acid is also responsible for the production of other catacholamines (dopamine, tyramine and epinephrine). Phenylalanine is used because it is absorbed better and has fewer side effects than tyrosine.
L-Phenylalanine is an effective antidepressive and analgesic.
One of the explanations for Phenylalanine`s analgesic properties is its ability to raise the level of endorphins in the brain. Endorphin levels increase as a result of physical activity or positive experiences.
A high endorphin level gives people a more positive outlook on life, increases their vitality and alertness and decreases sensitivity to pain. L-Phenylalanine blocks the action of the enzyme enkephalinase, which is responsible for breaking down endorphins.
The level of the hormone prolactin, which is related to the growth hormone and has many functions in the reproductive system, especially in the production of milk, has been found to affect the incidence of migraine.
The production of prolactin can be reduced with the help of dopamine, which is a product of Phenylalanine.
Standard extract of Ginkgo biloba
The active ingredients of the plant Ginkgo biloba are known for their anti-inflammatory properties and their proven ability to reduce inflammation and PAF (platelet activity factor) levels.
The plant also protects blood cells in the brain from increased levels of free radicals during a migraine attack, thanks to its antioxidant effects.
Hence the considerable benefits of taking Ginkgo biloba to reduce the physiological aspects involved in the development of migraine and headaches.
Warning: This product contains Phenylalanine and is not recommended for people suffering from Phenylketonuria (PKU) or high blood pressure.
Instructions: 1 to 3 tablets a day, with meals
Ingredients:
Each Mig-Rid Formula tablet made by SupHerb contains:
Feverfew Ext (Parthenolide ([0.7%]).............................................300 mg
Magnesium................................................................................200 mg
L-phenyalanine...........................................................................75 mg
Ginko Biloba Ext (Leaf)
(ginkgoflavoglycosides [24%], terpene lactones [6%])....................25 mg
SupHerb`s Mig-Rid Formula is available in packs of 60 tablets.
Made in Israel
