CoQ10 & Migraine Prevention

By Dr. Shannon McGuire, ND

Migraines are debilitating headaches that affect over 20% of people at some point in their

lives. They include attacks lasting 4-72 hours, with one-sided pulsating or throbbing pain, worse by movement or physical activity, and usually accompanied by sensitivity to light, smell, and sound. They also can cause dizziness, lack of appetite, nausea, and vomiting, and presence of an aura (visual, auditory, or otherwise) before the attack. Chronic migraines are experienced in those that have migraine headaches for at least 15 days per month, which causes substantial disruption in daily activities and quality of life and patients are often referred for management to secondary care. But why are these migraine headaches occurring, and how can we prevent them?

Although the exact pathophysiology of migraines is not completely known, in many theories, there is a role of impaired oxygen metabolism due to dysfunction in mitochondria – the part of the cell that helps transform energy. This is where CoQ10 comes in - CoQ10 is a fatty, vitamin-like compound found in the mitochondria of every cell in the body. It functions to help produce energy, and its deficiency has been seen in conditions such as migraine headaches. Because of this oxygen impairment, CoQ10 can be used prophylactically to prevent migraine attacks and improve symptoms drastically. Because CoQ10 is naturally occurring and naturally derived, it can provide a safe and effective alternative compared to other medications which have worse safety profiles and more side effects.

First line treatment in the conventional medical community is pharmaceuticals for migraine prevention - but some of these options can have nasty side effects, and don't truly get to the root of the problem. Supplementing with CoQ10 or focusing on nutrients that may be depleted should become the first line treatment as it focusses on what physiologically is disrupted and not just masking the symptoms. As naturopathic doctors, we are always looking for the root cause of patient ailments, and something as simple as a nutrient deficiency can be one of them. A simple, natural intervention of CoQ10 can be implemented to support a naturally occurring process of energy production in the brain to provide symptomatic relief of a debilitating condition such as chronic migraines.

At Mind Body Soul Integrative Clinic, we offer oral supplementation of CoQ10 in our migraine treatment plans. However we have now added an injection form, as a faster-absorbed method, requiring less dosing and for those who forget to take pills! An injection form improves bioavailability when compared to other forms such as oral or powder. Being a lipophilic (fat-loving) compound, and utilized in higher concentration in areas such as the brain, it makes sense why its mechanism of action is helpful and effective in preventing migraines.

No one should have to suffer from painful migraines, let us help you! Book in for your CoQ10 injection today.

Book Online at: www.mindbodysoulkelowna.com or call 250.868.0221