June is National Migraine and Headache awareness month, and I suspect that anyone that has ever suffered from a migraine is quite “aware” of them, as they’re hard to ignore.

About 39 million people in the US, and over a billion people worldwide suffer from migraines, making them one of the most common disorders in the world. 

Ninety-one percent of migraine sufferers can't work or function normally during an attack, and as many as 1 out of 4 ends up in the emergency room!

In addition to the classic intense pain that can last anywhere from a few hours to three days, people with migraines may also experience sensitivity to light, noise or smells; nausea or vomiting; loss of appetite; and upset stomach or abdominal pain.

Understandably, people with migraines can feel frustrated, depressed and hopeless…but rest assured, there are some very effective answers.

If you suffer from migraine attacks, here are several possible reasons why, plus 9 safe, natural ways to get relief and prevent future attacks!

They’re a mystery…kind of

For as common as migraines are, the medical and scientific communities still have not been able to pinpoint one tried and true explanation for all cases.  Instead they’ve posed several different theories, each of which has merit.

One theory involves dilation and constriction of blood vessels in the head as being the primary source of the pain. 

Hormones are suspect too, since many women get attacks during menstruation or menopause--times when their hormones are fluctuating. 

Another theory looks at nerve pathways and neurotransmitters as the culprit behind the throbbing.  Many migraine sufferers get a drop in serotonin just before an attack.

Additionally, aspartame, MSG, nitrates, caffeine and alcohol (especially wine and beer) are known for causing headaches and triggering migraines in many people.  

Aspartame is particularly concerning—it can also cause other migraine-associated neurological symptoms such as visual disturbances and tingling in the extremities.  Note that the FDA has received more health and safety complaints about aspartame than ANY OTHER food in existence.

Migraines are also commonly seen alongside food allergies and sensitivities.  Common guilty foods include wheat, gluten, yeast, corn, grains, sugar and eggs.

Plus they have been linked to heavy metals, especially mercury.

Now let’s look at how to get relief!

9 safe, effective migraine answers

Here are nine safe, natural answers that have been shown to be extremely helpful in counteracting migraine attacks and preventing future attacks:

1) Avoid the known triggers

Do your best to avoid aspartame, MSG, nitrates, alcohol and caffeine.  Be very wary of foods labeled sugar-free or zero calories because they very frequently contain aspartame. 

Read labels carefully, and when dining in restaurants, inquire if MSG is used in the preparation of any dishes.

2)  Keep it real

Concentrate on wholesome real foods and remove sugars, excess salt, processed foods and refined carbohydrates from your diet as much as possible. 

Also avoid getting too hungry between meals, since low blood sugar levels can trigger migraine attacks.  Have protein snacks such as nuts, cheese, hard-boiled eggs or a piece of meat or fish handy.

3) Get enough Vitamin D

Migraines have been linked to several nutritional deficiencies, especially Vitamin D.  

Since Vitamin D is a very common deficiency, that could mean a whole lot of people suffering needlessly when the problem is so easy to correct!

That is, if you use our top-notch Optimum DK Formula with FruiteX-B!

Optimum DK Formula provides a therapeutic 5,000 IU dose of Vitamin D3, plus its complementary nutrients Vitamins K1 and K2, and the mineral boron. 

All these helpful nutrients work together to enhance your immune, bone and cardiovascular health.

Oh, and help prevent migraines too!

4) Essential oils

Studies have shown that lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus and rosemary essential oils help ease migraine pain.

And our collection of outstanding Holistic Blends Essential Oils includes all 4 of those helpful oils!

Essential oils can be mixed with a carrier oil (coconut oil is a good choice) and dabbed directly onto the skin on the painful side of your head or neck.

You can also apply several drops of essential oil to a warm towel and place on your forehead, neck or back of the head. 

5) Omega-3 essential fatty acids

Some studies have found that Omega-3 fatty acids, especially Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), can help decrease the severity and frequency of migraines.

Unfortunately, Omega-3 EFAs are also a common deficiency.  Our food supply does not contain the same level of these fats that it used to, plus most of us don’t eat fatty fish often enough to get what we need from our diets.

But you can help make sure you have enough of these healthful fats with an Omega-3 EFA supplement like VitalMega-3.

VitalMega-3 is a pharmaceutical-grade fish oil formula that delivers 1,200 mg. of inflammation-curbing Omega-3 EFAs in every daily 2-capsule serving, including the all-important EPA and DHA.

6) Investigate possible food allergies or sensitivities

If you have suspected food allergies or sensitivities, it’s essential to get tested.

You can also try an “elimination diet” to zero in on what food(s) you may be sensitive to, and that may be triggering migraines.  Here’s how:

• For the next 10 days, jot down everything you eat and drink, and note your level of symptomology.
• After the 10 days are up, note what foods you ate on the day before and the day of feeling any symptoms—those will be your “experimental” foods.
• Pick the two or three experimental foods that seem to be most closely associated with your symptoms and eliminate them from your diet for a week and see how you feel.
• If you feel markedly better, well, there’s a sign for you.
• After the week is up, reintroduce the foods into your diet one at a time, separated by three days between each one, and see if your symptoms return.

7) Consider acupuncture

Although acupuncture is currently considered an “alternative” therapy, there’s nothing alternative about it—it’s been around FAR longer than modern medicine!

Acupuncture originated in China about 2,500 years ago and is used to treat a wide variety of conditions, including headaches and migraines. Acupuncture works to balance the body’s energy, or Qi, by stimulating specific points on the body, and has been proven to provide relief for chronic disease and pain.

8) Eliminate heavy metals

You may not know this, but amalgam fillings are a significant source of mercury in the human body.  Many migraine sufferers have reported dramatic improvements after having their amalgam fillings removed and replaced with composites. 

Also, some flu shots contain mercury, so keep that in mind when making your healthcare decisions.  Supplementing with Vitamin D and probiotics can go a long way in beefing up your immune system and preventing the flu naturally.   

9) Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT)

If you suspect menopause may be a factor in your migraines, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy can be a tremendous help in counteracting menopause and its side effects.

Unlike synthetic hormones, bio-identical hormones more closely mimic the body’s natural hormones and are much more easily assimilated by the body.

See how much better you can feel when you safely and naturally help fight all the possible underlying factors behind your migraines.

To your health,

Sherry Brescia