Health

20 Things You Could Do To Treat and Prevent Headaches

14. Magnesium

WebMD

Magnesium is an important mineral that plays a crucial role in the body’s function. It regulates blood pressure, maintains the strength of our bones, and keeps our heart rhythm steady. Low levels of magnesium in our body could bring about symptoms such as fatigue, nausea, muscle contractions, muscle cramping, tingling, and loss of appetite. It is also associated with headaches and migraines. Studies have shown that people who suffer from migraines usually have low levels of magnesium. Regular intake of the mineral has been found to reduce episodes of migraine by a significant percentage. It appears to be particularly effective in the prevention of migraines related to menstruation.

Magnesium can be used as a remedy to treat migraines or to prevent them. Magnesium oxide is most frequently used for this. It is available in pill form, and is usually recommended at a dosage of 400 to 500 mg per day. Magnesium may also be given through intravenous means in the form of magnesium sulfate. If you prefer to take magnesium more naturally, you could also get it from foods that are rich in this mineral. Examples of these foods are dark leafy greens, seeds, almonds, black beans, lentils, avocados, bananas, figs, mackerel, tuna, low-fat yogurt, and dark chocolate.