Summary:
Migraine is a common neurological condition and is influenced by a combination of genetic, neurological, and environmental factors. It is typically characterised by moderate to severe head pain that may affect one or both sides of the head. Symptoms often occur alongside nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, vomiting, and worsened pain with movement. Migraine is a major cause of disability worldwide, affecting around 15% of people each year. Although advances in pharmacological treatments have improved management, many patients continue to experience significant symptom burden, and alternative approaches are still being explored. This study is a narrative review that examined the relationship between magnesium and migraine, focusing on both its potential role in disease mechanisms and its therapeutic effects. The review brought together evidence from case reports, observational studies, case-control studies, and randomised controlled trials to assess whether magnesium status and supplementation are linked to migraine outcomes. Across the evidence reviewed, magnesium deficiency was commonly associated with increased migraine frequency and severity. Supplementation was reported to reduce migraine symptoms in both acute and chronic settings in several studies. Proposed mechanisms include magnesium’s role in regulating neuronal excitability, neurotransmitter release, vascular tone, oxidative stress and inflammation. Overall, this study suggests that magnesium may play a meaningful role in migraine pathophysiology and could be useful as a preventive or adjunct treatment. However, the authors note that evidence varies in strength across study types, and further high-quality research is needed to clarify how to optimally use magnesium for migraines.
Abstract:
Migraine is a widespread and intricate neurological condition that involves various factors and is marked by recurring headache episodes. Migraine is among the ten neurological conditions accounting for the greatest disability in the whole population, the leading cause of disability for children and adolescents aged 5–19 years, and the second cause of disability for adults aged 20–59 years. Magnesium deficiency is also a very common condition resulting from diverse reasons, including insufficient dietary consumption or increased loss through the gastrointestinal or renal system. Accumulated evidence from case reports, case–control studies, observational studies, and randomized, placebo-controlled trials has shown the effectiveness of magnesium supplementation in alleviating migraine, both acutely and chronically. Mechanisms that may help explain these results include the potential link between magnesium deficit and spreading cortical depression, vascular changes, oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, nervous excitation, neurotransmitter release, and electrolyte imbalances. This article aims to provide a comprehensive review of the available evidence on the links between magnesium and migraine, considering the role of magnesium in the pathogenesis of migraine and the utility of magnesium in its prevention and treatment.
Article Publication Date: 18/02/2025
DOI: 10.3390/nu17040725
