Migraine IV

0.9% NaCl: Also known as “normal saline”, this sterile “crystalloid” solution is used as a volume replacing solution for body fluid losses, dehydration and blood volume expansion. It is has balanced pH and osmolarity (the number of solute particle per liter) to resemble the pH and osmolarity of blood.

B6 (pyroxidine): Vitamin B6 plays a unique role in the synthesis of neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine, and GABA. It is also important in amino acid synthesis and it plays a critical role in the methylation cycle. Deficiency is caused by poor diet, alcoholism, and malabsorption or poor digestion. Symptoms of deficiency include headaches, muscle weakness, anemia, nervousness, anxiety, insomnia, skin eruptions, mental fatigue, “brain fog” or mental sluggishness, and hair loss.

L-glutamine: Glutamine is an important amino acid that may help maintain muscle, boost the immune system, support gastrointestinal health, and sustain healthy growth hormone levels. Of the 20 amino acids needed for protein synthesis, glutamine is the most abundant. Under normal circumstances, the body synthesizes enough glutamine to carry out regular functions. However, factors as varied as viral infections, surgery, burns, infectious disease, and even prolonged exercise can significantly deplete levels of this multifunctional amino acid. That’s important, because L-glutamine has a wide variety of actions in the body. For example, clinical studies have found that glutamine supplements strengthen the immune system and reduce infections especially after strenuous or prolonged workouts. It’s also good for your gut. Intestinal cells are heavy users of glutamine for energy production. This amino acid is also essential for maintaining the structural integrity of the intestinal lining. Insufficient glutamine may lead to a loss of gut mucosal integrity, which can allow toxins and infectious agents to be absorbed into the blood stream. This condition, known as increased intestinal permeability or “leaky gut” may be associated with health problems such as allergies, skin disorders, and Crohn’s disease. In addition, the villi in your small intestine which are responsible for nutrient absorption from food regenerate with the use of glutamine. Finally, we know that L-glutamine has an impact on the release of growth hormone (GH) which is secreted by the pituitary and is a critical hormone in tissue repair, maintenance of lean body mass, muscle and bone growth. In two different studies researchers have shown that oral supplementation of 2-10 grams of glutamine boosted growth hormone production by as much as 70%.

Toradol (ketorolac): is a powerful non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent comparable in pain relief with morphine, but it has no narcotic effects whatsoever. It is used for intense pain as it reduces inflammation by blocking prostoglandins. Precautions for its use are healthy stomach, kidneys, heart and clotting as toradol can induce bleeding, stomach ulcers and alter kidney function. Toradol may also trigger asthma attacks. Most healthy individuals can use toradol without problems but prescription by a physician is needed.

B12 (cobalamin): B12 is found mainly in animal foods and cannot be manufactured in the human body. Absorption is very complex and requires stomach acid, intrinsic factor, pancreatic enzymes and intact stomach and small intestine cells. This vitamin is a key player in the Krebs cycle and in the methylation cycle as it is a critical cofactor in homocysteine conversion to methionine by the enzyme methionine synthase. In its absence the processing of methylfolate and other steps in folate metabolism stop. This blockage of proper folate (B9) metabolism results in anemia and deficiencies in DNA formation. Other symptoms of B12 deficiency are demyelination (as in multiple sclerosis), slowed nerve conduction, accumulation of homocysteine and increased heart disease risk, defective cell membranes (branched fatty acids), anemia, fatigue, painful and burning feet, skin abnormalities, retarded growth, dizzy spells, digestive disturbances, vomiting, restlessness, stomach stress, and muscle cramps.

Reglan (Metoclopramide): Is a prescription medication used for nausea, vomiting, and heartburn caused by a stomach problem called gastroparesis in patients with diabetes. Side effects include possible tardive dyskinesia which is a movement disorder caused by the blockage of dopamine receptors. Other side effects could be dizziness and drowsiness. Rapid heart rate and seizures are extremely rare.

Zofran (odansetron): Is a potent and effective anti-nausea prescription medicine used commonly after surgical procedures and in treatment of nausea after chemotherapy. Zofran can cause lightheadedness, dizziness and, very rarely, uneven heart beats and rhythm.

Zinc (Zn): After iron, zinc is the second most abundant trace metal in the human body. Zinc is a co-factor (helper) in over 300 different enzymes and thus is involved in a wide variety of biochemical processes. It interacts with the hormone insulin to ensure proper function, and is a key factor in the regulation of blood glucose levels via insulin action. Zinc is necessary for the activity of a number of transcription factors at the DNA level in the synthesis of steroid and thyroid hormones. It also promotes wound healing, regulates immune function, serves as a co-factor for numerous antioxidant enzymes, and is necessary for protein synthesis and the processing of collagen. Zinc inhibits the enzyme aromatase which converts testosterone to estrogen, thus potentially increasing available testosterone. This essential mineral is commonly used in anti-viral preparations to fight the common cold and flu viruses.

Glutathione (GSH): Glutathione is a “master” anti-oxidant. It neutralizes free radicals such as superoxide and Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) like hydroxy radicals, peroxynitrites, and hydroperoxides, all of which are products of oxygen metabolism in the mitochondria. Free radicals and ROS can cause damage to DNA, proteins and cell membranes altering function, causing mutations and possibly leading to chronic illness like cancer or heart disease. Detoxification is another major function of Glutathione. GSH attaches to substances like heavy metals and xenobiotics, molecules that need to be excreted, forming “conjugates” and making them easier to be eliminated. The conjugates formed are usually excreted from the cell and eliminated by the liver into bile and the kidneys into urine.

B2 (riboflavin): Vitamin B2 is especially critical in energy production, methylation, and DNA and RNA synthesis. Symptoms of deficiency include headaches, fatigue, and irritability.

Selenium (Se): Selenium is trace mineral essential for good health and is needed in small amounts. It is crucial in the function of antioxidants and the immune system. Selenium is incorporated in proteins to make selenocysteine. Selenocysteine is involved in promoting the antioxidant function of glutathione and thioredoxin, both of which neutralize the toxic effects of free radicals—naturally occurring byproducts of oxygen metabolism thought to cause damage to DNA, protein and cell membranes and possibly contribute to chronic illnesses like cancer and heart disease. Selenium is important in the production and breakdown of thyroid hormones as well. Thyroid hormones essentially command the speed and efficacy of your overall metabolism, so it is important for them to be properly balanced. Chronic selenium deficiency is associated with lethargy, dizziness, motor weakness and paresthesias, and an excess risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Toxicity from too much selenium often manifests as neurological impairment.

B5 is used in the synthesis of coenzyme A and CoA and is a component of the acyl carrier protein (ACP) domain of fatty acid synthase. It’s not important that you know what these particular chemicals do. What you need to understand is that vitamin B5 is required for the metabolism of all carbohydrates, fats and proteins, and it plays a critical indirect role in at least 70 enzymatic reactions in your body. Deficiencies of B5 can lead to symptoms such as painful and burning feet, skin abnormalities, retarded growth, dizzy spells, digestive disturbances, vomiting, restlessness, stomach stress, and muscle cramps.

Magnesium is a mineral and a cofactor in more than 300 enzyme systems that regulate diverse biochemical reactions in the body including protein synthesis, muscle and nerve function, blood glucose control, and blood pressure regulation. Magnesium is required for energy production, oxidative phosphorylation, and glucose utilization. It is also required for the synthesis of DNA, RNA and the antioxidant glutathione among other functions.