Everyone at one time or another has suffered from a headache, whether it develops from stress, a common illness such as the flu, or overindulgence from a night out with friends. Pain can range from dull to debilitating, and can usually be treated with aspirin, ibuprophen or acetaminophen. But for a certain segment of the population, a migraine headache can be incapacitating.

Migraine headaches affect about 15% of the population, with three times as many women as men experiencing them. More than 80% of migraineurs (those people suffering from migraines) have family members who get migraines as well. The following types of migraine headaches have been identified:

• Migraine without aura (common migraine): This type accounts for 80% of migraine headaches. There is no aura before a common migraine.

• Migraine with aura (classic migraine): This type is usually preceded by an aura and is usually much worse than a common migraine. Most often, an aura is a visual disturbance (outlines of lights or jagged light images). 

• Status migrainosus: This is the term used to describe a long-lasting migraine that does not go away by itself.

There are several known triggers for a migraine, some of which include food allergies (especially chocolate, cheese, nuts and alcohol), blood sugar disturbances, stress load, mechanical injury and hormonal fluctuations. Typically, a migraine headache can last from four to 72 hours, and in many people it is preceded by an “aura,” meaning that the individual senses a strange light or an unpleasant smell. They usually only affect one side of the head and often occur with nausea, vomiting and extreme sensitivity to light or sound. The headache pain is often described as throbbing or piercing and may range from mild to very severe. Although migraine headaches are usually one-sided, they can occur on both sides of the head, and in some cases the pain may switch sides each time a headache occurs.

Nutritional Supplementation

Consumers today are taking an active role in the management of their own health. Their awareness of how certain nutrients can impact specific health conditions continues to grow, and that includes issues that affect the brain. A variety of nutrients that have been noted in various studies can play a key role in helping either to prevent or lessen the pain associated with a migraine headache. These include: Magnesium, Vitamin B2, Vitamin D and Calcium, Herbal Supplementation, Feverfew, Turmeric, Kava, Evening Primrose and 5-HTP

Conclusion

The fortification of foods and beverages to aid consumers suffering from migraine headaches provides manufacturers with new opportunities for growth. Incorporating the appropriate nutrients to address this debilitating condition, along with others that contribute to overall health and wellness will greatly influence purchasing decisions. To successfully introduce new products to the marketplace, a manufacturer needs to lay a solid foundation at the very beginning of the development process. That foundation should include partnering with an experienced nutritional premix formulator, not only to minimize the challenges associated with bringing products to market, but also to ensure a product that lives up to its label claims delivers repeat purchase.

For additional information on custom nutrient premixes, visit www.fortitech.com.