Caffeine - The Good & the Bad

Many need it to get going in the morning. When the energy wanes mid-morning, it is used as a pick-me-up. We are talking about caffeine. It has its good side and its bad side.

What Is Caffeine?

It is a stimulant. It is designed to perk you up and get your blood flowing faster. Blood vessels are dilated so you get more oxygen flowing. Caffeine is found in sodas, coffee, tea and chocolate. But is there such a thing as too much of it?

The Good

Coffee (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Caffeine is an ingredient in many medications. We are not just talking about energy drinks or pills designed to keep you awake so you can cram for an exam or tend to a cranky baby. Look at the ingredient list for headache medications. Do you see caffeine listed there?

Caffeine can open blood vessels so that other medication can reach the site of pain more easily. For someone suffering from a migraine headache, drinking a caffeinated soda or tea can provide quicker relief than a pill. It is not advised to drink a soda as your main remedy, but it can take the edge off while your medication is starting to work.

Let’s go back to those energy drinks. They don’t just keep you awake; they give you more energy. This is desirable for someone who has a lot to do and wants to get it done.

Remember that oxygen increase? As the blood vessels dilate, more blood can reach the brain and so can more oxygen. You can think more clearly from first thing in the morning.

That extra energy can assist with weight loss. Drinking energy drinks can help you get through a particularly tough workout. As the metabolism ramps up, your body burns more calories to help you lose weight.

The Bad

With the good also comes a bit of a downside. While caffeine can do all of these things, using it too much can lead to some potential problems. 

Energy drinks. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Caffeine is addictive. Ever notice that you can’t just have one cup of coffee? Some people have several cups. You may have started with one but you end up drinking more as your body gets used to the effects of one cup. Too much can lead to jitters that can cause a lack of focus as the day wears on.

When that much caffeine is going through your system, stopping it can make you a bit woozy. Caffeine withdrawal can lead to dizziness, blurry vision and headache. How ironic, since it can also help stop a migraine.

High blood pressure is also a factor. Many medications that contain caffeine (such as cold medicine) are being changed to a different formulation for those who have a history of high blood pressure. The caffeine can raise normal blood pressure which makes them even more dangerous for someone who has a diagnosis of hypertension.

Regular consumption of caffeine can also deplete your adrenal glands, leading to low energy, fatigue, inability to handle stress, sleep disorders, and a host of other health problems.

Are you a caffeine drinker? A little can be helpful but too much can backfire on you. It's okay to have a bit of caffeine once in a while, but try not to do it every day, and if you do, have no more than what is contained in 1 cup of coffee.

Eight Ways to Treat Migraines Naturally

Speaking of pain, migraines are the worst.  If you suffer from them then you know they can absolutely stop you in your tracks and ruin your day.  And if you suffer from them then you’re not alone.  More than 29.5 million Americans have migraines.

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Migraine symptoms include but are not limited to:

* Severe pain on one or both sides of your head
* Pulsating or throbbing pain
* Nausea and/or vomiting
* Sensitivity to light and/or sound
* Extreme fatigue
* Headache pain lasting from several hours to several days

While there are millions of sufferers, many people do not want to take pharmaceuticals because of the expense, side effects, and potential risks. Not to mention that many drugs don't even really help all that much with migraines. The good news is there are several natural remedies for migraines.  Let’s take a look at eight ways of treating migraines naturally:

1.  Feverfew, an herb, is commonly used as a treatment for migraine, arthritis and fever.  It has been shown to cause a significant decrease in migraine frequency among sufferers.  Unfortunately, as is the case with many herbs, there can be side effects including stomach distress and a possible interaction with blood-thinning medications, so be sure to check with your doctor before taking this. 

2.  5-HTP, or 5-Hydroxytryptophan, a compound produced in your body from the amino acid tryptophan, is used to make serotonin and melatonin.  You can also consume it in supplement form.  It has been studied for its ability to reduce the severity and duration of migraines. 

3.  Magnesium, a mineral naturally found in many foods including greens, nuts, seeds, and whole grains, has been studied for its ability to reduce the frequency of migraines in sufferers.  However, high doses of magnesium may cause stomach distress, muscle weakness, difficulty breathing, low blood pressure, irregular heart rate, and it can interact with some medications. Many people are actually deficient in magnesium, so taking a fair amount wouldn't hurt, and could help with other deficiency conditions as well - but you'll want to check with your doctor and get a blood test before taking any large doses. Small doses of 500-250 mg should be quite safe for most people.  

4.  Butterbur, an herb, has been studied for its ability to prevent migraines and it has very few side effects or interactions.   However, if you’re allergic to ragweed then skip the butterbur because they’re in the same family.  You can consume butterbur in tea and extracts and capsule form.

5.  Vitamin B2.  Studies have shown a great reduction of migraines in people who take riboflavin for at least three months, and women who suffer from menstrual migraines seem to receive a significant benefit.

Flax seeds (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

6.  Omega-3 essential fatty acids are also thought to reduce the frequency of migraines.  Omega-3 fatty acids are found in fatty fish like salmon and mackerel and can also be found in flax seeds and some nuts.   Recommended dosage is 5,000mg in capsules of either flax or fish oil.

7.  Acupuncture has been used to treat migraine/headache successfully for many years.  Not all practitioners are created equal.  Make sure you have a licensed therapist and be sure you’re comfortable with needles.

8.  Biofeedback, guided imagery and relaxation techniques are also highly recommended by many migraine experts to not only help with pain relief and reduction, but to also begin to recognize early on when a migraine is pending so you can stop it in its tracks. 

The causes for migraines are numerous and mysterious.  One way to try to begin to determine the cause or causes for your migraines is to keep a migraine journal.  Often people find that certain foods are migraine triggers.  If you suffer from migraines, make sure you eat a nutritious balance of foods, get plenty of sleep and exercise regularly.  These simple steps, in addition to natural migraine treatment, may have you migraine free in no time.