YOU Docs Daily
Diet Tips for Headache Relief
Do your headaches make you feel like your head is about to explode? If so, you are not alone. Janet Jackson, Marcia Cross, and Hugh Jackman all suffer from crushing head pain. Clearly, a throbbing tension headache (90% of all headaches are this type) or a pulsating migraine can stop anyone in their tracks. Take this questionnaire to find out what may be causing your headache pain.
How to end the mind-numbing assault? Over-the-counter and prescription medications for headaches -- including migraines -- can relieve and sometimes prevent pain, but to be pain-free, you may need to make over your diet. We YOU Docs suggest:
- Change your diet to eat more foods rich in magnesium and riboflavin (vitamin B2). Riboflavin is in low/no-fat dairy, eggs, nuts, and green vegetables. Magnesium is in green veggies, whole grains, nuts, and potatoes. You can also supplement with 400 milligrams of riboflavin and at least 100 mg of magnesium daily. Get a burst of magnesium and riboflavin with this Mixed Lettuce Salad with Cucumber Herb Vinaigrette.
- Make sure you are not vitamin D deficient. It’s linked to headaches. You want at least 1,000 international units of vitamin D3 a day; 1,200 IU after age 60.
- Identify food triggers. It’s mostly word of mouth that everything from red wine to chocolate can launch a headache, but if you suspect certain foods trigger yours, keep a daily diary to track what you eat and when your head hurts. It may reveal problem foods. Eliminate them from your diet and you may have fewer headaches. Discover other headache triggers.
With a few diet and lifestyle changes, you just might show those celebs a thing or two about living smart and free of head pain.
