Migraine headaches are severe headaches, usually accompanied by nausea and sensitivity to light, that make it impossible to continue normal daily activities. It affects women (11 to 20% of the population) at least twice as often as men (3 to 8%). The explanation for the increased incidence of migraines in women of reproductive years compared to men is the fluctuation of estrogen, which is a reliable trigger of menstrual attacks in women. Following the effect of genes that increase susceptibility to migraine (ion channel activity), the underlying cause of migraine is more complex than commonly recognized.
Biochemical imbalance in the brain
Migraine is a complex disorder in the area of the central nervous system. Biochemical imbalances in the brain, hormonal disharmony due to emotional stress, insufficient sleep, and dietary triggers are factors that co-create it.
Serotonin is a key neurotransmitter in migraine. It is usually associated with low levels of serotonin and its active metabolite - melatonin. The reason is stress and diet.
Pain (headaches), sleep disorders, depression and chronic fatigue have a complex effect on each other. Migraine appears to arise from abnormal blood flow in the brain, which is triggered by a biochemical imbalance in the brain. Some types of migraine are thought to be related to mitochondrial dysfunction. Disorders of mitochondrial oxidation, lack of magnesium and excess of calcium inside the cell probably cause "overexcitability" of the brain.
Context
One link between hormonal imbalance and migraines may come from the opposing roles of estrogen and progesterone in the brain, especially in women. While estrogen stimulates the brain, progesterone suppresses central neurons. Therefore, an imbalance between these effects can lead to physiological conditions that increase susceptibility to migraines as well.
Estrogen predominance (decreased progesterone) increases the production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE-2), which causes the large arteries to constrict, causing pain. Increased prolactin or increased sensitivity to prolactin reduces the level of prostaglandin E1 (PGE-1), which in turn improves blood circulation.
Steroid hormones (estrogens) can provoke migraines by indirectly disrupting the physiological function of minerals - copper, zinc, calcium and magnesium. Estrogen increases the absorption of copper, which in turn reduces the availability of zinc (necessary for the synthesis of melatonin and Q10). Lack of zinc, melatonin and also Q10 is typical for migraine.
Accumulation of copper deep in the brain and peripheral nerves increases catecholamine oxidation, fat peroxidation, which provokes migraine. Female hormones decrease the level of magnesium, but also increase the level of calcium. Magnesium and vit. B6 affects the amount of nitric oxide (NO) inside the cell, both of which are deficient in migraine sufferers.
The microbiota and its metabolites communicate with the host through biochemical and functional connections, thereby influencing health. Disturbed composition and functionality of the microbiota (dysbiosis) disrupts the signaling function of neurotransmitters. Disturbed intestinal microflora can also contribute to increased histamine levels and symptoms such as headache (insomnia and fatigue).
Histamine and its influence
The influence of histamine extends to the interaction between histamine, estrogen, progesterone and also cortisol in the female body.
Histamine induces a dose-dependent synthesis and increase in estradiol levels (estrogen may also affect endogenous histamine levels by reducing DAO activity), and feedback of estrogen to mast cell receptors induces rapid degranulation, synthesis and release of histamine in female reproductive tissues. Histamine activity fluctuates with changes in hormone levels during the menstrual cycle. Cellular histamine concentrations in ovarian and uterine mast cells change during the menstrual cycle, and mast cell activation in the endometrial tissue is most significant during the premenstrual phase. On the contrary, progesterone moderates the stimulatory effect of estradiol to increase the production of prostaglandin PGF2α (…pain). However, the increased cortisol induced by the effect of histamine can block the synthesis of progesterone, thereby limiting its effect on pain relief (or uterine smooth muscle contractions).
Migraine has a solution
Coping with migraines requires a metabolic and also a smart solution. It contains improvement of serotonin and melatonin signaling, improvement of intestinal function (produces the majority of serotonin), mitigation of histamine effect, harmonization of the body's response to the effect of sex hormones and ensuring balanced availability of copper, zinc, magnesium, calcium and coenzyme Q10. The use of GOOD GUT / GOOD MOOD acacia fiber with the addition of a targeted combination of minerals, vitamins and biologically active substances promises a significant reduction of migraines, and also in women, a reduction of fatigue, symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), painful menstruation (symptoms of menopause).
– Peter Szalay, ioy biochemist.