DEL.ICIO.USHEALTH / THE PEOPLE'S PHARMACY
Riboflavin (vitamin B-2) reported to help prevent migraines
For The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Q: Thank you for writing about taking vitamin B-2 on a daily basis to prevent migraine headaches. I started taking the vitamin B-2, and I couldn’t believe how much it helped. I may get a headache once a month if that. I used to get a couple every week. I am thrilled to finally be free of headaches for the most part and have told my doctor to please share this with other patients with frequent migraine headaches.
A: Riboflavin (vitamin B-2) has been reported to help prevent migraines in some people (Current Treatment Options in Neurology, January 2008). Other possibilities include magnesium, Coenzyme Q10 or the herbs feverfew and butterbur.
Not everyone will benefit from such therapies, but we are pleased to learn that riboflavin worked for you.
Q: A few years ago, I read that selenium was good for everyone and that Brazil nuts were high in selenium. Since I love Brazil nuts, I bought them regularly and ate about three a day. After a few months, I began suffering severe leg cramps that woke me from a sound sleep every night. When I eliminated Brazil nuts, the cramps didn’t occur. I’m not allergic to other kinds of nuts. Is this reaction commonly known or just peculiar to me?
A: We have not heard of muscle cramps as a reaction to Brazil nuts. At first, we suspected that your regular Brazil-nut consumption might have resulted in selenium toxicity. A half-dozen nuts have more than 500 micrograms of this mineral; the tolerable daily limit is about 400 micrograms.
Since muscle cramps have not been previously reported as a symptom of excess selenium, we imagine this reaction is particular to you.
Joe Graedon is a pharmacologist and Teresa Graedon is an expert in medical anthropology and nutrition. They can be reached at peoplespharmacy@gmail.com.
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