VITAMIN B2

Because migraines really suck! They are a big problem across Canada affecting millions of people, and are actually one of the top reasons people end up in the emergency room. Everyone’s migraine is different and can be caused by a number of factors including hormonal imbalance, sensitivities to food/gluten, sleep issues or nutrient deficiencies. A deficiency in Magnesium and some B Vitamins, specifically Vitamin B2, have been linked to migraines. 

In studies, Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin),  has demonstrated a reduction in migraine occurrence by 50%, compared to 15% for placebo, which can have a significantly positive impact on individuals daily life reducing the amount of time required off work. Migraines have often been linked to impaired mitochondrial function (the energy producing centres of cells). Because Riboflavin plays an important part in the production of energy, supplementing can help improve this process, thereby reducing the frequency and severity of migraines. 

While it’s highly effective, it can take up to 4-6 weeks to start seeing some benefit, so stick to it and soon you should start to notice a decrease in frequency, severity and duration of your migraines. In one study, patients experienced 2 fewer migraine attacks per month, 3.5 fewer headache days per month, and an average migraine duration of 1.5 hours shorter than compared to placebo.

Outside of using Vitamin B2 to help with migraines, most people can get sufficient quantities from their diet alone, so a true deficiency is not commonly observed. Small amounts of Vitamin B2 are found in most animal and plant tissue, and it’s widely available in a variety of food including milk, meat, eggs, nuts and green vegetables. While the amount of B2 required to help with migraines is probably hard to attain from diet alone, it is still a good idea to incorporate these foods into your meals as part of your overall treatment plan.