Coq10 Reduces Chronic Migraine, Inflammation

Doctors don't know if migraine develops from problems in blood vessels, brain nerve cells, or both, but all agree the condition is inflammatory. Unlike regular occasional headache, when blood vessels constrict to cause pain, in chronic migraine, blood vessels dilate too much.

In this study, 45 non-menopausal women, aged 18 to 50 with episodic migraine took a placebo or 400 mg of CoQ10 per day while using standard migraine medication as needed. After three months, compared to placebo, those taking CoQ10 reported significantly fewer migraines, with less severe pain and other symptoms, and resolving more quickly.

In those taking CoQ10, doctors also observed a decrease in two inflammatory factors-calcitonin gene-related peptide, or CGRP-which dilates peripheral and cerebral blood vessels and likely plays a key role in developing migraine; and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF), which can stimulate CGRP. Doctors said CoQ10 has anti-inflammatory properties that may provide the migraine benefit.

CoQ10 at 400 mg. is available from many suppliers including Solgar, NOW, Healthy Origins and Doctors Best.