In the United States 15% of adults complain of severe headaches or migraines. Many of these people are looking for natural ways to help reduce the onset of their migraines or eliminate the severe pounding inside their head.
According to the American Migraine Foundation, magnesium is proven to be one of those natural solutions that can help reduce the onset of migraines. It is believed magnesium may prevent the wave of brain signaling called cortical spreading depression, which produces the visual and sensory changes in the common forms of the aura. Magnesium can also improve platelet function and decrease pain transmitting chemicals in the brain.
Magnesium is an important mineral that you may not be getting enough of. Rich sources of magnesium to naturally incorporate into your diet generally include greens, nuts, seeds, dry beans, whole grains, wheat germ, and oat bran. Men need between 400-420 mg whereas women need about 310-320 mg as recommended dietary intake.
According to Healthline, here are ten healthy foods high in magnesium.
In addition to magnesium, there’s also another natural solution that many people don’t know about, acupuncture. According to a publication in the Harvard Medical Journal, individual large scale clinical studies have consistently demonstrated acupuncture provided better pain relief compared with usual care.
Acupuncture works by stimulating certain points of the body to release natural painkillers. In stimulating peripheral nerves, acupuncture initiates communication with the brain to release endorphins. Endorphins are morphine like compounds that can block pain pathways in the brain and provide relief.
So next time you feel a migraine setting in or you want to be more proactive with your overall health, introduce magnesium and acupuncture into your weekly routine.
Modern Acupuncture® is a natural pain and stress relief solution and the leading provider of Acupuncture in the U.S. The most studied theories show that Acupuncture stimulates the body to release naturally produced “feel good” endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine that stimulate the parasympathetic or “rest and digest” response in our body.
Sources: American Migraine Foundation, Harvard Medical Journal, Modern Acupuncture
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