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“A cheap way of tackling COVID-19 is being ignored”

David Davis MP | BANT Compelling Evidence on Vitamin D status & severity of COVID-19 symptoms 13 October 2020COVID-19, News, Politics HomeBANT, British Association for Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine, covid-19, COVID19, David Davis, David Davis MP, lifestyle medicine, Nutrition, nutritional therapy, Nutritional Therapy....

If you suffer from regular headaches, it could be your body’s way of telling you that you have an underlying imbalance that needs addressing.

As Nutritional Therapists we are always looking to address the root cause of any physical symptom. Taking a painkiller may temporarily relieve the discomfort but what is the underlying reason for your pain?

Diet and lifestyle choices can play a key role:

* Support your liver, which is responsible for removing toxins from the body, aiding digestion of food, as well as producing energy and metabolising hormones. A headache may be the end result of your liver struggling with any of these functions.

Eat steamed, green leafy veg, always wash fruit and veg thoroughly to reduce pesticides. Liver-loving supplements include, artichoke and milk thistle.

* Blood sugar imbalances; a diet high in refined carbohydrates and sugar can lead to low blood sugar; a symptom of which is headaches.

Avoid sugar, eat wholegrains, eat protein with every meal or snack (see my previous blood sugar balance post)

* Nutrient deficiencies; in particular magnesium, folate and vitamin B6 can all lead to headaches due to their roles in blood sugar management, production of the neurotransmitter serotonin, and metabolism of oestrogen.

Eat green leafy veg (folate), nuts & seeds, dark chocolate (magnesium) and meat, fish, eggs (B6).

Consider supplementing if you think you may be deficient.

* Tension headaches due to hunched shoulders, tired eyes from staring at a screen, as well as everyday stresses that cause muscles to tense. Magnesium is a well-known muscle relaxant, aiding tired muscles to unclench and relax.

Magnesium salt baths are a great way of increasing your magnesium levels. Or consider supplementing up to 400mg daily. Start low and increase to this dose. If you are on medication, please talk to a Registered Nutritional Therapist first.