Monday, November 30, 2009

Magnesium Is Crucial for Migraine Prevention

Magnesium deficiency produces havoc in your biochemistry and precipitates migraine headaches. Magnesium is essential to many functions of your body and it is important for many chemical reactions in your body. It is found in over 325 chemical reactions of your body. Here are a few of the vital functions of magnesium:
  • Regulates and counter-balances calcium, the most prevalent mineral in your body.
  • Essential in bone composition and metabolism.
  • Essential for proper nerve function
  • Absolutely essential for energy creation within all cells of your body
  • Involved with formation and repair of new cells, fatty acids, proteins, DNA, and antioxidants like glutathione
  • Extremely essential for proper function of the heart. See blog: http://naturalhealthsecrets.ws/magnesium
  • Works with calcium & potassium to regulate blood pressure
  • Deficiency co-relates to higher heart failure
  • Deficiency highly co-relates to increased migraine attacks
  • Deficiency raises havoc with muscle metabolism
Talk to your medical doctor if you think you have a magnesium deficiency...Denis Van Loan D.D.S.

Friday, November 20, 2009

Migraines Reduced by Magnesium and B Vitamins

A lack of magnesium and other nutritional deficiencies are a frequent cause of migraine attacks. As already reported as many as 325 chemical reactions in the body need magnesium. The B vitamins are also important. Good research makes it clear that a deficiency of B-2, B-6 and B-12 are detrimental to normal function of your biochemistry and co-relate to increased migraine headaches.

Some migraine researchers find that combining magnesium with feverfew herb and riboflavin (B-2) is a beneficial combination. It goes without saying that a good multiple vitamin supplement with the B vitamin complex goes a long way in reducing the cause of migraine headaches. The B vitamins in research studies have proven very beneficial in reducing migraine attacks by themselves. Ditto for feverfew...alone it has proven itself beneficial. For more comprehensive information on supplements and improved biochemistry to to the free blog @ http://naturalhealthsecrets.ws

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Magnesium Deficiency, Aging & Migraines

Magnesium deficiency is a huge problem causing aging and degenerative diseases as well as migraines.

Heart failure also comes from deficiencies of magnesium and the presence of MSG (mono sodium glutamate). This has to do with electrical conduction that produces heart arrhythmia. The majority of U.S. residents are deficient in magnesium...so a little has to go a long ways. It is necessary in 325 chemical reactions of the body, sometimes only as a catalyst. For more expanded information on this subject go to: http://naturalhealthsecrets.ws/heart-failure...magnesium

Aside from helping maintain proper blood pressure and healthy hearts it acts as a catalyst in the biochemistry needed to prevent migraine attacks. Upset body chemistry is more often than not the cause of migraine headaches. Magnesium deficiency is a big culprit here.

Aging diseases such as cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome...diabetes 2, some cancers, Parkinson’s, and osteoporosis all appear to be accelerated by low magnesium levels. Research and experience of migraine suffers confirms magnesium deficiency is often the culprit in migraine headaches.


Sunday, October 5, 2008

Migraine Trigger Tyramine

Aged cheeses like cheddar and other tyramine containing foods are often listed as triggers for migraine headaches. How does this work?

An enzyme called MAO (mono amine oxidase) is a balancer for excess amine neurotransmitters. The neurotransmitters are message carriers on nerve pathways. Once the message is sent they need to be cleaned up or destroyed. This is the job of MAO; however, a delicate balance and equilibrium of biochemistry is needed.

Unfortunately MAO destroys serotonin, the neurotransmitter hormone...which leads to depression. A second problem is related to the regulation of proper levels of the neurotransmitter tyramine.

Too much tryamine raises blood pressure and aged cheeses or foods containing tyrosine, exacerbate and increase blood pressure and hence headaches. The tyramine containing foods push blood pressure over the threshold level and result in a migraine or vascular headache.
Denis Van Loan DDS

For more complete information visit my website at: http://www.migraineheadache-relief.com

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Breakthrough News on Migraines

Recent research reported by Alan Carver, M.D. (Director of headache & pain management) at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, N.Y. reveals disturbing news on migraines.

Brain imaging now shows that women who suffer migraines with the accompanying aura (premonition) have a 50% to 70% greater risk for stroke over other women. This severe headache marker of aura accompanies about 30% of migraine sufferers.

The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) reported in 2004 on a study done in the Netherlands. This study found a significantly higher risk for brain lesions in those people with migraine headache auras.

These auras typically are temporary visual disturbances. The subject has these kind of symptons: blurred vision, flashing lights, zig zag lines, color disturbances...general visual disturbances.

These symptoms occur as a precursor to the imminent migraine attack. The aura typically lasts from 5 minutes to 1 hour in duration.

Neurologist Alan Carver says that the traditional migraine management is shifting from pain and symptom management to PREVENTION! In other words do not let them occur and then treat the symptoms with drugs...rather prevent them before they start.

For more information on migraine prevention, go to my website @
http://www.migraineheadache-relief.com ...Denis Van Loan BS, DDS.

Thursday, November 15, 2007

Food Intolerance, Allergies and Migraines

I’ve written about chemical imbalances in other reports before. Migraine headaches can be categorized as upset biochemistry that is most frequently precipitated by what is eaten. (exception: hormone cycles)


The disturbance of these undigested “foods” often triggers a chemical and/or hormone imbalance.

Allow me to explain. Typically about one third of the population has food imbalances. What this means is that certain foods are not well tolerated by the individual and they upset the body chemistry. The problem is that neither the individual nor the doctor realizes the problem.

The linings of the GI (gastro-intestinal) tract normally prevent large molecules from entry into the blood stream. If they manage to enter through because of irritating inflammation in the GI tract (“leaky gut”), then the blood handles these large molecules as invaders. The response of the immune system is that of an allergic reaction.

“Fireworks” in the blood can now occur. In the case of migraines,
IgE immuoglobins (antibodies) interact with mast cells which release histamine and heparin. The end result is inflammation in the vascular system.

In a migraine sensitive individual, inflammation in the form of cytokines and other irritants can produce spasm and pain in the cerebral blood vessels. This can trigger headaches and an avalanche of migraine symptoms.

Hormone disruption can occur which compounds and exacerbates the problem. The bottom line is that the body chemistry is disrupted and pain and migraine symptoms prevail.

Migraineurs know about some of the triggers but sometimes they are unaware of other culprits that set off migraine headaches for them.
A careful record or mental note of exactly what is eaten, including such things salad dressings, seasonings and such things as MSG often prove to be the culprits.

More information can be obtained by going to my website @ http://www.migraineheadache-relief.com …Denis Van Loan DDS

Thursday, October 11, 2007

Trans Fats, Preservatives & Migraines

Many people do not realize the enormous significance of dietary intake in the cause and elimination of migraine headaches. Yes, most migraineurs realize that there are certain triggers. I am not talking so much about these triggers; even though they are definitely significant in migraine attacks.

What is less well known is the other insults to your blood vessels which make you vulnerable to migraine headaches.

I've talked about the significant key is often the condition of the blood vessels. Blood vessel spasm alone is a unique component of the migraine process. Hormone changes and certainly chemicals do trigger migraine headaches through vascular spasms.

Long term, there is another factor about blood vessels that has proven itself to be significant. It is inflammation. Inflammation disrupts normal function and usually is accompanied by pain.

Excess homocysteine, often a product of red meats, is one culprit. Other inflammatory agents of blood vessels are trans fats, preservatives and unhealthy (toxic) chemicals.

Trans fats, found in poly saturated vegetable oils (shortenings) and all highly heated oils, become stable and hard for the body to break down. Trans fats are more inert and unreactive to body chemistry.

Trans fats are simply hard to metabolize and eliminate from the body. According to Dr. DeMaria's book: "Dr. Bob's TransFat Survival Guide", the half life is 18 days. Realistically it takes 51 days to completely purge your body of the trans fats.


If you eat a lot of french fries or consume a lot of shortening, margarine and preserved foods, you accumulate these harmful fats. You tax and overload you body, especially the liver and kidneys.

How do these "fats" work? Trans fats cause inflammation in the body, resulting in aches and pains everywhere. Postglandins, which are natural pain relivers are neutralized. Not surprisingly the body chemistry is disrupted and I'm convinced that future research will co-relate increased migraines due to the blood vessel inflammation from these agents.

Research has already shown that inflammation due to homocysteine significantly increases migraine headaches. I would say ditto to all preservatives. If you have difficulty in metabolizing and elimination of any irritants such toxic chemicals and preservatives, you can trigger headaches.

I cannot advise you what to do, but I find a diet free of anything toxic or inflammatory eliminates 95% of my vascular headaches.

What also helps? A good vitamin B complex supplement that includes B-2, B-6, B-12 and Folic acid significantly reduces migraine headaches in proven studies. Denis Van Loan DDS

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Silymarin and Migraines

Dr. Steven Sinatra, board certified in Cardiology, Ageing, and Nutrition, reports on silymarin.

His supplement to HEART HEALTH AND NUTRITION newsletter for September 2007, discloses that silymarin is:
1. A potent anti-oxidant...ten times stronger than Vitamin E.
2. Wonderful for the liver because it protects and produces glutathione. Glutathione is very important in neutralizing the toxins that the liver must deal with.
3. It stimulates the production of new liver cells.

Research seems to indicate that taking a few months worth of milk thistle (source for silymarin), may actually reduce years of liver abuse. The abuse comes from handling the toxic wastes of the body.

Toxins are inflammatory and damaging agents to the body. This inflammation can trigger migraine headaches. Denis Van Loan DDS. For more free information on headaches, especially migraines, click on this link: www.migraineheadache-relief.com

Monday, September 24, 2007

Homocysteine and Migraine Headaches

Homocysteine is an inflammatory agent when found in excess quantities. It causes inflamed blood vessels. Many research projects have followed this culprit. Most of these are involved with cardiovascular disease.

When blood vessels are inflamed they collect cholesterol, and inflammation is the proven cause of cardiovascular disease. Many studies validate this fact. Mainstream medicine, the public, and the media still all think that cholesterol is the problem, it is not.

I believe that cholesterol has little to do with migraine headaches, but inflammation in the blood vessels does. This can be a major cause of pain and migraine headaches.

Where does the excess homocysteine come from and how do you counteract it?

One of the primary sources is red meats, especially beef. But don't panic, I love red meats but I do not overindulge and I counteract the accumulation of homocysteine by taking the B Vitamin complex daily. Vitamins B-2, B-6, B-12 and Folic Acid do a good job by neutralizing the effects of homocysteine...Denis VanSave as Draft Loan, BS DDS

Tuesday, April 3, 2007

Cause of Migraine

The cause of migraine trouble often starts with diet. You have probably realized that certain foods trigger migraine attacks. The diet problem is believed to be a food allergy or idiosyncrasy...not tolerating certain foods.

The allergy may not be as you would expect, such as a rash or drastic change in blood pressure. The intolerance does alter the biochemistry of the body, which in turn affects the blood vessels, which in turn cause changes in the hormone balance.

The bottom line is you trigger a migraine headache (due to vascular changes in the brain) or you manifest problems with one or more hormones. ( Hormones such as melatonin ...affecting sleep, or serotonin...affecting depression and sense of well being, are only 2 examples.)

It behooves you to discover the trigger of what you ate or drank. It is best to eliminate all the suspected foods or drinks and then one by one add them to your diet. Often you can narrow down the culprit in this way.

Sometimes it is a combination of foods together but more often it is just one food or related food group. By selectively testing foods you can often find the cause of migraine without any extra expense.

For more comprehensive information about migraines visit my site at:
http://www.migraineheadache-relief.com/ Denis Van Loan DDS.

Monday, March 26, 2007

Best Prevention & Biochemistry for Migraines

What is the best prevention against migraine headaches? It is not exactly the same for everyone. In the first place women have migraines 3 times more often than men. Why is this?

It is primarily because hormones play a huge role in migraine attacks. Pre-menopause women are hit the hardest with these migraine episodes. (As you probably know hormones yo-yo up and down, depending upon the stage of the menstruation cycle).

Men also have problems with hormone disruptions. The reason for this is because researchers have found that migraine sufferers have as many as 3 different genetic aberrations that make a migraine sufferer susceptible to migraine attacks.

The best prevention against migraines is to give the body all the raw materials that it needs to keep the hormones in balance. One popular myth is that cholesterol is very bad.

It is a myth to try to eliminate all cholesterols. In fact, it can be crippling to the body because many of the hormones need the cholesterol molecule as a building block. It is not the blood cholesterol that is a culprit in heart attacks and strokes, but rather inflammation in the blood vessels that attract cholesterol plaques like a magnet. Homocysteine is a primary irritant here.

The good news is that the B Vitamins, primarily B-2, B-6, B-12, and Folic Acid (which are all found in a good vitamin B supplement) counteract the inflammatory condition found in blood vessels (due to homocysteine). This includes cranial blood vessels that manifest pain in migraine headaches.

As well as the triggers mention in a previous post, certain deficiencies can precipitate a migraine.
The best prevention against migraine headaches is to have a balanced diet and in addition a good vitamin supplement, that includes magnesium and other trace minerals.

In addition, if you have frequent migraines you should take other additional supplements.These include Feverfew, Silybum Marianus (liver detoxifier), Co-Q10 to name a few.

For a more comprehensive explanation go to my website and download the free report there.
The website: http://www.migraineheadache-relief.com Denis Van Loan BS, DDS

Best Supplements for Migraine Prevention

What is the best prevention against migraine headaches? It is not exactly the same for everyone. In the first place women have migraines 3 times more often than men. Why is this?

It is primarily because hormones play a huge role in migraine attacks. Pre-menopause women are hit the hardest with these migraine episodes. (As you probably know hormones yo-yo up and down, depending upon the stage of the menstruation cycle).

Men also have problems with hormone disruptions. The reason for this is because researchers have found that migraine sufferers have as many as 3 different genetic abberations that make a migraine sufferer succeptable to migraine attacks.

The best prevention against migraines is to give the body all the raw materials that it needs to keep the hormones in balance. One popular myth is that cholesterol is very bad.

It is a myth to try to eliminate all cholesterols. In fact, it can be crippling to the body because many of the hormones need the cholesterol molecule as a building block. It is not the blood cholesterol that is a culprit in heart attacks and strokes, but rather inflammation in the blood vessels that attract cholesterol plaques like a magnet. Homocysteine is a primary irritant here.

The good news is that the B Vitamins, primarily B-2, B-6, B-12, and Folic Acid (which are all found in a good vitamin B supplement) counteract the inflammatory condition found in blood vessels (due to homocysteine). This includes cranial blood vessels that manifest pain in migraine headaches.

As well as the triggers mention in a previous post, certain deficiencies can precipitate a migraine. The best prevention against migraine headaches is to have a balanced diet and in addition a good vitamin supplement, that includes magnesium and other trace minerals.

In addition, if you have frequent migraines you should take other additional supplements. These include feverfew, Silybum Marianus (liver tetoxifier), Co-Q10 to name a few.

For a more comprehensive explanation go to my website and download the free report there.
The website: http://www.migraineheadache-relief.com
Denis Van Loan BS, DDS

Natural Migraine Prevention And Relief

Have you had the experience of trying to prevent or eliminate a migraine headache with something that worked once but not again? It is not uncommon. The prevention or relief of a migraine often depends upon when you start treatment.

A drug will sometimes eliminate the migraine at one time but can make things worse at another time. Why is this so? Migraines are extremely complex, manifesting many different symptoms through the whole cycle of the viscous migraine malady.

The reason for this is because the process involves a blood vessel spasm in the head, a reversal of that spasm, which then causes leakage through the blood vessels. This opening of the blood vessels allows irritants to "leak" out and cause inflammation. This kind of inflammatory pain needs a different treatment than that for the spasm pain of the blood vessels.

The whole process is compounded by the body's reaction to the foregoing. There is a disruption of not only the nerves but also the hormones of the body...which interact and effect each other. Many hormones are involved which disrupt each other. Drugs can also have other undesirable effects. (upset digestion, rebound effect, nausea, intolerance, etc.) The key is prevention, or use of a natural remedy which prevents the headache in the first place. Supplements which are kind and compatible to body provide the raw material to allow harmony in the body.

The body finds what it needs for the disruption. Natural migraine prevention and relief is superior than trying to force the body with drugs.
...Denis Van Loan DDS My website @ http://www.migraineheadache-relief.com/ has more comprehensive information on this subject.

Natural Migraine Prevention And Relief

Have you had the experience of trying to prevent or eliminate a migraine headache with something that worked once but not again? It is not uncommon. The prevention or relief of a migraine often depends upon when you start treatment.

A drug will sometimes eliminate the migraine at one time but can make things worse at another time. Why is this so? Migraines are extremely complex, manifesting many different symptoms through the whole cycle of the viscous migraine malady.

The reason for this is because the process involves a blood vessel spasm in the head, a reversal of that spasm, which then causes leakage through the blood vessels. This opening of the blood vessels allows irritants to "leak" out and cause inflammation. This kind of inflammatory pain needs a different treatment than that for the spasm pain of the blood vessels.

The whole process is compounded by the body's reaction to the foregoing. There is a disruption of not only the nerves but also the hormones of the body...which interact and affect each other. Many hormones are involved which disrupt each other. Drugs can also have other undesirable effects. (upset digestion, rebound effect, nausea, intolerance, etc.)

The key is prevention, or use of a natural remedy which prevents the headache in the first place. Supplements which are kind and compatible to body provide the raw material to allow biochemical harmony in the body.

The body finds what it needs to quell the disruption. Natural migraine prevention and relief is superior than trying to force the body with drugs, which themselves can cause disruption.
...Denis Van Loan DDS My website @ http://www.migraineheadache-relief.com/ has more comprehensive information on this subject.

Thursday, March 22, 2007

List of Common Migraine Triggers

There are many things that precipitate a migraine headache; not only a horrible headache, but also exaggerated sensitivity to sight, sound and smells. Not everyone has the same triggers but when you find out what your trigger is, you avoid a lot pain, discomfort and even disability.

Common Triggers that Precipitate Migraine Attacks:
· Aspartame (artificial sweetener)
· Chocolate
· Caffeine
· Aged cheeses
· Alcohol
· Weather Changes
· Hormone changes (esp. menstruation)
· Air pressure changes (esp. airplanes)
· Stress ( frequently blamed but infrequently the cause)
· Allergies or incompatible foods or drinks such as wheat intolerance or milk (lactose)
intolerance, also soy products.

It is worth noteing that sometimes chocolate will avert an oncoming migraine attack because it affects the dilation (opening) of blood vessels in the head. It is probably due to the caffeine which also helps avert attacks in the early stages. You can read more about the complex nature of migraines at my website and with the free download report available there.

You may also discover that a combination of foods trigger an attack. An example of this would be cheddar cheese and avacado together. Each one alone may not be a problem.

When you discover your triggers and avoid them, it will save you of a lot of pain, discomfort, grief and even disability to function at 100%... Denis Van Loan DDS.