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It worked for me: magnesium supplements to prevent headaches

I have to share an easy change that has improved my life: taking magnesium supplements to help prevent headaches.Magnesium supplements for headache prevention - AMerryMom.com

I’ve had frequent headaches for most of my adult life.  Sometimes they were bad migraines that interrupted my life to the point I had to go lie down in a darkened room, but often they were just bad enough that they were a nagging annoyance throughout the day.  When I read some information around six months ago about magnesium supplements offering headache relief, I was happy to give it a try.  And I’m so glad I did!

The next time I was at the drugstore, I picked up a magnesium oxide supplement. I added this to my daily One A Day Women’s multivitamin routine.  I wasn’t on any other medications so there wasn’t a potential problem with interactions, and I was comfortable trying the supplement based on my research.

While researching magnesium supplements, I checked out the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Web site.  I learned that most people in the U.S. don’t get the recommended amount of magnesium.  Since my regular multivitamin contains only 13 percent of the recommended daily amount, I felt safe adding the magnesium supplement.  But there are potential side effects at high doses, so I made sure to follow the recommended serving. 

At first I didn’t notice any change in the frequency of my headaches, but I had decided to give it a few weeks for my trial.  I don’t remember how long it was until I noticed that I hadn’t had a headache in a while.  But eventually I connected the dots from my headache-free streak to my magnesium supplement. 

I fully realized the benefit of the magnesium supplement when I ran out and didn’t take it for several days – the headaches came back.  When I resumed the supplements, it took a few days for the headaches to go away again, teaching me that I need to remain consistent with my magnesium intake.

My research on the NIH site said that some studies suggest the magnesium in the citrate form is absorbed better than magnesium oxide, so I switched to taking magnesium citrate after I ran out of the magnesium oxide. The magnesium citrate wasn’t as easy to find.  I had to go to a specialty store rather than the corner drugstore to find it.

Again, I didn’t notice any different results until I ran out and tried going back the magnesium oxide for convenience.  I found the magnesium oxide didn’t seem to help as well, so I rushed to stock up on the magnesium citrate.  I use KAL Magnesium Citrate tablets.

I’ve had a great improvement using magnesium supplements and I haven’t noticed any side effects.  Headache-free days and weeks are such a wonderful change in my life!

Please note:  I’m not a health professional, so I’m relating this information just as personal experience.  It is not medical advice.  Speak with your doctor regarding supplements.

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