Supplement to Fight Migraine and Improve your Dreams?

Various types of vitamin B have been helpful for people with migraine, in particular, B2 (riboflavin), B9 (folic acid) and B12 (cobalamin). But vitamin B6 hasn’t gotten as much attention.

A study from Australia in 2009 used B12, B9, and B6 together for patients with migraine with aura. Taken over 6 months, the supplement did significantly lower migraine symptoms. More on these vitamins from the New York Headache Center.

B6 has a lot of benefits. It supports the immune system and can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and lower inflammation. There also is some evidence that it may improve sleep and also cognitive function during the day.

An odd and interesting fact – B6 is being investigated as a possible way to increase lucid dreaming.

Some patients can’t convert B6 into a usable form, so there has been an interest in an “active” form of B6, pyridoxyl-5-phosphate (P5P). (Life Extension has been coming out with some excellent supplements lately, and they have a 100mg version of P5P which can be taken daily. PipingRock.com also has a 50mg version, which is much less expensive and is probably sufficient for most people.)

For regular B6, Consumer Labs recommends Bluebonnet, which is also 50mg.

You’ll want to talk to your doctor about which supplement may be best for you. Migraine patients who are taking anti-convulsant medications (such as valproic acid) may interact with B6, so make sure your doctor is aware of other medications you’re taking. Also, you don’t want to take too much B6, as it can actually have the opposite effect and disrupt your sleep.

Many people do take a vitamin B complex, so that might be a good palce to start. Also coming tested and recommended by Consumer Labs is Garden of Life Mykind Organics Vegan B Complex. This complex includes B12, B9, and B6.

Sometimes just the right supplement for you may lead to big improvements in the headache-fighter department. For some, vitamin B is a big part of the puzzle.