Boost Your Brain Power and Prevent Migraines

Dear Reader,

I want to share some new studies on vitamins and minerals that might be helpful for dealing with migraines.

The brain depends on these tiny organelles called mitochondria to break down glucose for energy. Some special MRI scans have shown that people with migraines tend to have impaired brain mitochondrial function. When mitochondria aren't working right, it can lead to an energy deficit and oxidative stress in brain cells, which researchers think could contribute to migraines.

Certain nutrients help improve mitochondrial function and energy production in the brain while also reducing oxidative damage from reactive oxygen molecules. Some top nutrients to consider are:

- Riboflavin (vitamin B2) – supports mitochondrial energy metabolism and reduces neuroinflammation

- CoQ10 – essential for mitochondria to generate energy and protects cells from oxidative stress

- Magnesium – aids in making ATP for energy storage and maintaining neuronal health

- Melatonin – enhances mitochondrial processes and is a potent antioxidant

- Lipoic acid – boosts mitochondrial energy production and antioxidant activity

- L-carnitine – helps transport fatty acids into mitochondria to produce energy

Taking some of these supplements together could help restore normal mitochondrial function, raise brain energy levels, decrease oxidative stress, and reduce the frequency and severity of migraines. They can be used along with prescription migraine medications. But you should always talk to your doctor before trying any new supplements.

Let me know if you need any clarification or have questions about this research! I can explain further and provide references to the actual studies. I hope you’re able to find effective solutions for managing your migraines.

Warm regards,

Dr. Hector Caraballo, MD

P.S. The dosing of supplements is in the FAQ section at the end.

P.P.S.- Help someone you care about by sharing this newsletter.

Optimize Mitochondria to Boost Brain Energy and Prevent Migraines

Introduction

Migraine is a common neurological disease that causes severe, recurring headaches and symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound. It affects about 12% of adults worldwide (Lipton et al., 2007). Research suggests that problems with mitochondria, low energy levels in the brain, and oxidative stress play key roles in migraines (Younis et al., 2017).

Mitochondria make energy in the form of ATP through cellular respiration. In the brain, mitochondria mainly make energy from glucose and oxygen (Belenguer et al., 2019). Problems with mitochondria can lead to low energy and oxidative stress, which may contribute to migraines (Galecki et al., 2021).

This article reviews the evidence for mitochondrial problems, low brain energy, and oxidative stress in migraine. It discusses nutrients and diets that may improve mitochondria, boost brain energy, and reduce oxidative damage. Improving energy production and antioxidant levels through diet may help prevent and manage migraines.

Low Brain Energy in Migraine  

The brain needs a lot of energy, using ~20% of the body's glucose at rest (Rolfe & Brown, 1997). Brain energy depends on mitochondria breaking down glucose. MRI scans show many migraine patients have low brain energy levels and problems with mitochondria. This is seen as low phosphocreatine and ATP, especially in brain areas involved in migraine (Reyngoudt et al., 2012).

The degree of low energy is linked to migraine attack severity. This suggests low brain energy is important (Lodi et al., 2001). The energy deficit results from increased brain energy demand and problems with mitochondria (Younis et al., 2017). Improving brain energy may help manage migraine.

Role of Mitochondrial Problems

As the main energy producers in the brain, mitochondria play a key role in migraine. Migraine is more common in people with mitochondrial diseases, suggesting migraine susceptibility relates to mitochondria (Vollono et al., 2018). Riboflavin, a nutrient for mitochondria, can prevent migraines, further linking mitochondria to migraines (Yoon et al., 2018).

Specific migraine-related mitochondrial problems include low complex I activity, low mitochondrial membrane potential, high reactive oxygen species production, and calcium level issues (Yorns & Hardison, 2013). These problems can impair energy production and increase oxidative damage, worsening cellular energy deficits. Improving mitochondrial function is a good target for nutritional migraine therapy.

Oxidative Stress in Migraine

Even normally, 2-5% of oxygen used by mitochondria forms reactive oxygen molecules like superoxide and hydrogen peroxide. More form when mitochondria are impaired, as in migraine patients, causing oxidative damage to proteins, fats, and DNA.

Many migraine sufferers have low antioxidant levels and high oxidative stress markers like isoprostanes and oxidized LDL cholesterol (Gross et al., 2021). Antioxidant nutrients and compounds that support mitochondria may reduce oxidative stress from mitochondrial problems in migraines.

Nutrients and Mitochondrial Function in Migraine

Certain nutrients are important for mitochondria and antioxidants. Several nutrients show promise for preventing and managing migraine.

Riboflavin

Riboflavin (vitamin B2) is needed for mitochondrial energy production through the electron transport chain and TCA cycle (Powers, 2003). Riboflavin improves mitochondrial oxygen use and ATP production in neurological disorders (Udhayabanu et al., 2017). It also has antioxidant properties and reduces neuroinflammation. Multiple studies show that high-dose riboflavin (400 mg/day) can reduce migraine frequency and severity with minimal side effects (Schoenen et al., 1998).

Magnesium