Can Zinc Consumption Prevent Headaches

Zinc supplementation was observed to reduce the frequency of headaches in migraine patients, revealed a new study.

Highlights:

Zinc is a trace mineral that is responsible for various metabolic processes in the body
Zinc deficiency can delay wound healing, hair loss, depression, and immune suppression
Dietary zinc supplementation can reduce the occurrence of headaches and/or migraines

People who consume a lot of zinc in their diet have fewer headaches, revealed a study of over 11,000 adults published in the journal Headache.

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‘Patients with the highest zinc intake (15.8 mg daily) had a lower incidence of migraine compared to those with the lowest intake (5.9 mg daily).’

Dietary Zinc Intake Reduces Migraines

Liu et al reviewed data from the 1994-2004 NHANES to compare the dietary intake of zinc among persons with severe headaches and/or migraine versus those who did not have migraine. After evaluating 31,126 people, 11,088 were chosen for the final analysis. Pregnant women were excluded from the study. The individuals were divided into quintiles based on their food consumption (Q1 5.9 mg/day, Q2 6.0-8.4 mg/day, Q3 8.5-11.2 mg/day, Q4 11.3-15.7 mg/day, and Q5 15.8 mg/day). In 2607 patients, the use of zinc supplementation was also evaluated.

In the three months preceding the trial, 2236 individuals reported severe headaches or migraines. After controlling for potential confounders such as age, gender, race, level of education, smoking habit, diabetes, stroke, and BMI, researchers discovered an inverse link between migraine and dietary zinc intake. Patients in the highest quintile (Q5) of zinc intake (15.8 mg daily) had a lower incidence of migraine with an adjusted odds ratio of 0.70 when compared to those in the lowest quintile (Q1) (5.9 mg daily). Participants' aORs were 0.73 in Q2, 0.71 in Q3, and 0.71 in Q4.

Participants who used zinc supplements and consumed 19.3-32.5 mg of zinc daily had a low incidence of migraine, with an OR ranging from 0.62-0.67.

This cross-sectional study underlines the impact of dietary variables on migraine risk by revealing an inverse relationship between zinc consumption and migraine.

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Health Benefits of Zinc

Zinc is a trace mineral, which means it is needed at minute 'micro' levels. Nonetheless, it serves certain very important roles in the body. Zinc is an essential component of various enzymes involved in protein synthesis and DNA synthesis. It aids in tissue healing. Zinc is also necessary for the senses of taste and smell. Zinc is essential for a healthy immune system because it promotes the growth and function of T lymphocytes, which are key participants in adaptive immunity as well as cells involved in innate immunity.

The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for men is 11 mg, whereas it is 8 mg for women. Pregnant women require 11 mg of zinc per day, whereas breastfeeding women require 12 mg. Zinc is abundant in animal meals such as meat, poultry, and shellfish. Lentils, chickpeas, seeds (pumpkin seeds, watermelon seeds), whole grains, beans, spinach, mushrooms, and almonds are the only options for vegans.

Headache - Symptom Evaluation - Types - FAQs
A headache could vary in features according to the cause.

Symptoms of Zinc Deficiency

Zinc deficiency can cause anorexia, loss of smell/taste, delayed wound healing, diarrhea, hair loss, depression, and immune suppression. As indicated in the current study, migraine can be added to this.

Source-Medindia

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