Natural Supplements for Vestibular Migraine

Author: Cheryl Wylie, MSc (PT)

Vestibular Migraines are debilitating attacks of vertigo often accompanied by nausea, sensitivity to light, dizziness, imbalance and other unpleasant symptoms. While prescription medications are commonly used to manage migraines, many people seek natural alternatives or supplements to help reduce the frequency and severity of their symptoms. Below are several supplements that have shown promise in managing migraines.

Magnesium

• Benefits: Magnesium is a vital mineral involved in numerous bodily functions, including nerve transmission and muscle contraction. Studies have shown that people with migraines often have lower levels of magnesium and studies show that lower blood magnesium is associated with more frequent and severe migraine attacks.

• How it helps: Magnesium can help prevent migraines by reducing brain signaling and neurotransmitter release, stabilizing nerve cell membranes, and lowering inflammation.

• Dosage: A common recommendation is 400-600 mg of magnesium per day. For vestibular migraine, magnesium glycinate and L-threonate are popular forms. It’s advisable to start with a lower dose and gradually increase to avoid gastrointestinal side effects like diarrhea.

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)

• Benefits: Riboflavin plays a critical role in energy production within cells. Deficiency in riboflavin can lead to energy metabolism issues, which may contribute to migraines.

• How it helps: Riboflavin has been shown to reduce the frequency and duration of migraines. It helps enhance mitochondrial energy production, which is often impaired in individuals with migraines.

• Dosage: The typical dose for migraine prevention is 400 mg per day. It may take several months of consistent use to see noticeable improvements.

Vitamin D3

• Benefits: Vitamin D isn’t actually a vitamin, it’s a hormone! And it is crucial for overall health, and low levels of this vitamin have been associated with various chronic conditions, including migraines.

• How it helps: Some research suggests that vitamin D supplementation may help reduce the frequency of migraines, possibly due to its role in reducing inflammation and modulating the immune system. It has also been shown to reduce the frequency of BPPV, a common secondary vestibular disorder often seen frequently in those with migraines.

• Dosage: The recommended daily intake of vitamin D varies, but a common dose for migraine prevention is 1000-5000 IU per day. It’s important to have your vitamin D levels checked and consult with a healthcare provider for personalized dosing.

CoQ10 (Ubiquinone)

• Benefits: CoQ10 is an antioxidant that plays a key role in energy production in cells. It helps protect cells from oxidative damage and supports mitochondrial function (the powerhouse of our cells). Organs that require a lot of energy, such as our brain, require high levels of CoQ10.

• How it helps: CoQ10 has been found to reduce the frequency and severity of migraines, possibly due to its role in enhancing mitochondrial function, reducing inflammation, and potentially enhancing brain bioenergetic processes.

• Dosage: For migraine prevention, the recommended dose is 200-400 mg per day. Note that CoQ10 is fat soluble, so it’s best taken with meals that contain some fat to enhance absorption. Alternatively, you can get a capsule in oil suspension.

Ginger

• Benefits: Ginger is a well-known anti-inflammatory and antioxidant herb. It has been traditionally used to treat nausea, which is a common symptom of vestibular migraine.

• How it helps: Ginger can help reduce the severity of migraine symptoms, including pain and nausea, though it’s still unclear if it helps with dizziness. It works by blocking prostaglandins, which are chemicals that promote inflammation and pain.

• Dosage: The typical dose of ginger for migraine relief is 250-500 mg, taken up to four times a day. Fresh ginger, ginger tea, and ginger supplements are all effective forms. Click here to see my favourite ginger tea recipe! And always be sure to consult with a healthcare provider for personalized dosing.

Vitamin B12

• Benefits: Vitamin B12 is essential for nerve health and the production of DNA and red blood cells. A deficiency in this vitamin can lead to neurological issues and has been linked to migraines as well as dementia, peripheral and spinal nerve damage, and linked to depression.

• How it helps: Vitamin B12 can help reduce the frequency of migraines by supporting healthy nerve function and reducing homocysteine levels, which are associated with vascular problems and headaches.

• Dosage: The typical dose for migraine prevention is 1000 mcg per day. Vitamin B12 is generally safe, but it's advisable to consult with a healthcare provider for personalized recommendations.

Melatonin

• Benefits: Melatonin is our internal clock hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles. It has antioxidant properties and influences various bodily functions, including immune response and inflammation. Exposure to bright light, such as that seen in electronic devices and screen, can suppress the release of melatonin.

• How it helps: Melatonin supplementation can help improve sleep quality and regulate circadian rhythms, which may reduce the frequency and severity of migraines. Poor sleep is a common trigger for migraines. It also helps to activate endorphins and raise serotonin levels. As low serotonin levels have been linked to migraines, this can help reduce the frequency of attacks.

• Dosage: The recommended dose of melatonin for migraine prevention is typically 3-5 mg per day, taken before bedtime. It's best to start with a lower dose and adjust as needed under the guidance of a healthcare provider.

Feverfew

• Benefits: Feverfew is a herb traditionally used for headache relief. It contains compounds like parthenolide, which have anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties.

• How it helps: Feverfew may help reduce the frequency of migraines and alleviate symptoms such as pain, nausea, and sensitivity to light. It helps to relax the vascular smooth muscles which may prevent migraines by interfering with trigeminal nerve activation.

• Dosage: Standardized feverfew supplements containing 0.2-0.6% parthenolide are typically used. The common dose is 50-150 mg per day. It's advisable to consult a healthcare provider before starting feverfew, as it can interact with other medications.

Butterbur

• Benefits: Butterbur is another herb known for its anti-inflammatory and spasmolytic properties. Extracts of butterbur root have been used to treat migraines.

• How it helps: Clinical studies have shown that butterbur can significantly reduce migraine frequency. The active compounds in butterbur, petasins, help to prevent migraine attacks by reducing inflammation and stabilizing blood flow to the brain.

• Dosage: The recommended dose for migraine prevention is 75-150 mg of a standardized butterbur extract twice daily. It’s essential to use a product free of pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA-free) to avoid liver toxicity.

While supplements can be a helpful addition to a migraine management plan, they should not replace prescribed medications or professional medical advice. By integrating the right supplements with a healthy lifestyle, adequate hydration, vestibular rehabilitation, movement, education, good sleep and stress management techniques, many people with vestibular migraine can find significant relief and improve their quality of life.

If you or someone you know is experiencing vestibular migraine or dizziness, reach out to us at Healing Vertigo to learn more about the cause of your symptoms and how we can help.

Lemon Ginger Tea

Nausea Remedy

As a sailor and cancer survivor, I am very familiar with nausea! This is my favourite tea to make to help settle the stomach:

• 1 cup hot water

• 2-3 slices fresh ginger (no need to peel)

• ½ tsp honey

• ½ tsp lemon juice

Boil the water and then add ginger, honey and lemon juice. Let steep for 5-7 minutes. Remove ginger, drink and enjoy!