4 Deficiencies That Could Be Triggering Your Headaches

It’s one thing to get a headache every now and then and another to get one every second day. When headaches become a constant occurrence, they can quickly make your daily routine that much harder, leaving you feeling unproductive, ill, and stressed.

When you have a deficiency, it can easily trigger a number of other symptoms, headaches being one of them.

Here are the deficiencies you may want to look into if you can’t seem to shake your headaches.

Top 4 Deficiencies Linked to Headaches

Let’s look at the deficiencies that are most commonly linked to headaches and migraines.

1. Vitamin B2

Research shows that vitamin B2 helps improve mitochondrial energy metabolism, which has a direct link to migraines and headaches. In fact, any type of B vitamin deficiency has the potential to cause crippling headaches, but B2 even more so.

The NIH recommends 1.3mg for men and 1.1mg for women over the age of 19. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should increase their daily intake to 1.4mg.

Along with using a supplement, you can find vitamin B2 in food such as green vegetables, milk, eggs, lean meats, and fortified grains and cereals.

2. Magnesium

Magnesium is responsible for regulating muscle and nerve function. It also plays a role in regulating your blood pressure. If you’ve been struggling with headaches, you may want to consider whether you’re getting enough magnesium.

With enough magnesium in your system, you won’t have to worry about cramps, muscle tension, and insomnia – a lack of sleep can also contribute to headaches.

In terms of food, you can find magnesium in nuts, green leafy vegetables, milk, and yogurt. Eating these foods in addition to taking a supplement could help ease the tension in your head.

For adults over the age of 19, 400-420mg of magnesium is recommended daily for men and 310-320mg for women.

3. Sodium

Next on this list is sodium. If you have a lack of salt in your system due to vigorous exercise, it could be causing cranial discomfort. To prevent this, make a point of adding some extra salt to your meal or drinking something with electrolytes after any strenuous physical activity.

If you are taking diuretics, this too could be causing your headaches to become a regular occurrence, as will certain medical conditions. If you have a family history of long-term medical conditions, speak to your doctor.

4. Vitamin D

Lastly, there’s the chance that a lack of vitamin D is causing your headaches. Vitamin D is produced by the kidneys, but it’s still important to get it from other sources too. Spending more time in the sun, using a supplement such as Maxasorb D3 Cream, and eating more foods rich in vitamin D can help.  However, it should be noted that too much vitamin D3 also isn’t good, so speak to your doctor if you’re worried you might have a deficiency.

Foods you can eat more of include fatty fish, orange juice, cereals, and dairy products.

In Closing

The good news is that you don’t need to accept regular headaches as your reality. Explore whether you might have a deficiency by stocking up on supplements, make sure you’re staying hydrated, and get enough sleep to keep your brain happy.