Resveratrol: What Our Research Shows

Research Article by Lyle Henry

There is much talk today about the next "fountain of youth" discovery - Resveratrol. Resveratrol is a natural substance found in many plants, including grapes, peanuts and Japanese Knotweed. The introduction of resveratrol as a "cure-all" with such claims as its being an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory anti-cancer, antiviral, anti-aging, as well as a weight-loss and performance enhancing panacea, has given rise to its recent popularity.

We are concerned with the effect that resveratrol has on the occurrence of migraines.

Resveratrol is a basic substance found in red wine - in fact, that is how the properties of resveratrol were discovered; however, in resveratrol dietary supplements the concentration is much higher. A 5-ounce glass of red wine provides about 0.30-1.07 mg of resveratrol; by comparison, a dietary supplement can provide 100 mg of resveratrol per capsule. Since we know that red wine can easily trigger migraine headaches, it follows that taking resveratrol could do the same.

Headache is a reported side effect of taking resveratrol. These headaches can start within a day or two of first taking resveratrol and can continue for an extended length of time after stopping resveratrol. This is true even for those who do not get migraines.

The reason why resveratrol triggers migraines is that it promotes vasodilation by enhancing the production of a naturally occurring substance in the body called nitric oxide. If you have been following the migraine research of Tuliv, you have seen that nitric oxide is one of the most prominent factors involved in a migraine headache.

Our recommendation is to avoid resveratrol if you get migraines. If you are going to try it, do so with a controlled test and keep track of your results. You may want to print and use our headache dairy for such a purpose.

To learn more about what to avoid and why, please see Knowing Your Triggers. If you are in doubt about a supplement or something in your diet, please feel free to email us at Questions@Tuliv.net for assistance.

Migraines can be prevented - Read More.

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References for this Article:

Resveratrol Increases Nitric Oxide Synthase, Induces Accumulation of p53 and p21WAF1/CIP1, and Suppresses Cultured Bovine Pulmonary Artery Endothelial CellProliferation by Perturbing Progression through S and G21 -
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology [T-c. H., J. M. W.] and Brander Cancer Research Institute [G. J., Z. D.], New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York 10595
http://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/59/11/2596

Resveratrol stimulates nitric oxide production by increasing estrogen receptor -Src-caveolin-1 interaction and phosphorylation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. - Klinge CM, Wickramasinghe NS, Ivanova MM, Dougherty SM. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY 40292, USA
http://www.biotivia.com/bioforteresveratrol/evidence/resveratrolstimulatesnitricoxideproduction.html

Upregulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene expression after 24 to 72 hours incubation. Resveratrol-enhanced. eNOS expression and activity -
Dirk Taubert, MD, PhD, Reinhard Berkels, PhD, Department of Pharmacology University of Cologne, Cologne, German- 2003
http://www.circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/reprint/107/11/e78.pdf

Migraine Patterns - Time of the Day

Research Article by Lyle Henry

This is the first in a series of articles on migraine patterns that will explore the occurrences of migraines based on the time of day, day of the month, and age of the person. In this first article we will address the time of day.

Time of the Day

"What time of the day do your migraines start?" is one of the questions we ask someone who gets migraines. It is one of the most important questions in helping to determine what is happening inside the body to invoke a migraine.

A very common answer is "during the night;" however, when we ask for the exact time, most reply, "Around 4 AM." The other two most frequent replies as to when a person gets a migraine are "Shortly after getting up in the morning" (full-blown by noon) and "Sometime in the late afternoon."

These time patterns actually coincide with hormone changes in the body. When we look at which hormones fluctuate around these times, we find the hormone melatonin, from the pineal gland, and the hormone cortisol, from the adrenal gland.

The body begins producing melatonin (the hormone that helps us sleep) generally around 4 PM and it stops producing around 4 AM. Even though we see that this corresponds to times of migraines, we cannot jump to the conclusion that this hormone is a cause of migraines; rather, we must look at the actions of this hormone to see their effect on migraines.

The level of melatonin in the body affects how other hormones function, namely the two hormones that we are most interested in when researching the cause of migraines: Lutenizing Hormone (LH) and Folic Stimulating Hormone (FSH) (in both male and female bodies). These are hormones that have receptors on the cells that contain the known gene for migraines. Since we already know that fluctuations in the level of these hormones can invoke monthly menstrual migraines in women, we can reason that we are dealing with similar reactions as the cause of these other migraine occurrences.

Taking a melatonin supplement before bed can be helpful for some people in preventing or lessening the severity of early morning migraines. For those who take Tuliv Migraine Defense regularly and still may have some break-though 4 AM type migraines, adding a 1 mg time-released melatonin supplement at bedtime works synergistically to prevent these headaches.

What about a migraine that begins after we get up in the morning? Well, just as melatonin helps us sleep, the hormone cortisol helps us wake up and start the day. Cortisol is a powerful hormone used by the body to make us more alert, especially while under stress. Our research has shown that cortisol may be the underlying cause of stress headaches.

When we trace how cortisol works in the body, we see that it also has an effect on the LH and FSH hormones receptors on the "migraine gene" cells and so we again feel we are dealing with the same set of principles that are at the center of the cause of migraines.

We have mentioned three different times of the day when migraines are most likely to start, and yet we have named only two different hormones. That is because melatonin also appears to be involved in the occurrence of afternoon headaches.

Have you ever noticed how you begin to feel tired or let down in the late afternoon? That is when melatonin starts to enter the body. Melatonin is produced from serotonin, that is to say the pineal gland converts serotonin to melatonin. We have already mentioned above how melatonin affects the "migraine gene" cells. Although some migraine researchers see the lack of serotonin as the problem, what may actually be occurring is the reaction of melatonin after it has been converted from serotonin.

For the most part, Tuliv Migraine Defense prevents migraine no matter what time of the day; however, if this is not complete for all afternoon headaches, we may recommend adding the supplement 5-HTP, which appears to help increase serotonin or at least stabilize the depletion of it. Some research has indicated that 5-HTP alone may be helpful in preventing migraines or at least in reducing their frequency and severity.

The time when migraines occur reveals a great deal of information about what is happening in the body and points to the cause of migraines. By understanding and using this information, we can find natural ways to help prevent migraines. At Tuliv, we are dedicated to helping you find your best solution for a migraine-free life.

What time of the day do most of your migraines start? If you are unsure of any pattern, then please print a copy of our Migraine Diary and track your migraines for the next month and see what you find. We will be happy to go over the results with you, either by phone (1-866-367-5953) or by email Questions@Tuliv.net

We welcome your questions and comments. You can contact Lyle Henry directly by email at Lyle@Tuliv.net or by calling 1-866-367-5953. There is no cost or obligation for his services.

Statin Drugs and Migraines

Research Article by Lyle Henry   

"My migraines came back and the only thing I've changed in my daily routine is I started a new cholesterol-lowering drug. Can statin drugs be a problem for migraineurs?" We recently received this question from one of our clients who takes Tuliv Migraine Defense daily and has been migraine-free for quite some time.

 There are times when a person starts taking a new prescription drug for various ailments and within a few days or weeks begins to see an increase in the frequency or severity of headaches. Even though many pharmaceuticals have headache listed as a side effect, they are often overlooked as the cause for changes in headache patterns. One of the reasons may be that for the general population the problem may not be as severe or common as it is for one prone to migraines and the reason for the increase is more subtle - such as the case of taking a statin drug.

Anytime there is a change in the headache pattern of a migraine, one should start looking for the reason by reviewing what has changed in terms of routines, diets, supplements and pharmaceuticals. In the case of changes in pharmaceuticals (and by this we mean starting on a drug, stopping one, or changing dosage), it is necessary to not only review the known side effects but to also investigate how the drug acts on the body. Specifically, we look at what effect this drug has on the components of a migraine including something that may increase the level of nitric oxide* in the body.

Statin drugs, including well-known medications such as Lipitor, Zocor, Mevacor, Pravachol, and Crestor, are prescribed for their lipid lowering effects. Unfortunately, statin drugs can and generally do increase the nitric oxide levels in the body through what is called nitric oxide synthase in isolated endothelial cells.

Endothelial cells make up the layer of flat cells lining the inside of blood vessels including those that are intertwined with the bilateral trigeminal nerve running forward along the temporal lobe area in the head - referred to as the trigeminal-vascular system. Expansion of these blood vessels leads to a migraine headache. In other words, these stain drugs can increase the level of nitric oxide in the very region where migraines occur.

The pain felt during a migraine headache is the result of the expansion of the blood vessels of the trigeminal-vascular system to the point where they are putting undue pressure on the hair-like nerve endings. This pressure and pinching is what is felt as sustained pain lasting for as long as the blood vessels are in this expanded state.

Since increasing the level of nitric oxide can initiate a migraine occurrence, taking a statin drug can result in an increased level of migraines. For the general population taking a statin drug (or for that matter increasing the level of nitric oxide) may not be a problem; however, for the person prone to migraines, the higher level of nitric oxide can be very painful.

You should always visit with your primary care professional before making any changes to your pharmaceutical scheme.

*Tuliv migraine research revealed that nitric oxide and L-tyrosine (in the form of tyramine) combine to generate the neurochemical that triggers the onset of a migraine. Elevating one or both of these substances increases your chance for a severe migraine headache. 

We welcome your questions and comments. You can contact Lyle Henry directly by email at Lyle@Tuliv.com or by calling 1-866-367-5953. There is no cost or obligation for his services.

Migraine Prevention for Children and Teens

For many of those affected by migraines the symptoms start between the ages of five and ten. Since migraine is a genetic condition, children that have a parent or grandparent with migraines should be observed for the onset and continuation of such symptoms.

During a sporadic migraine episode, a child often endures a severe headache that may be accompanied by nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, and possible vision changes (auras). Children may also complain of pain or sinus stuffiness which is often misdiagnosed and falsely treated as sinus infection or congestion (see Tuliv Times December 2009). Naturally, doctors should be consulted in order to rule out other serious diseases or conditions.

As the child reaches puberty the frequency of migraines may begin to form a pattern, especially in young girls as they start menses. As the frequency or severity level of a child's migraines increases, the problem may wreak havoc on a child's quality of life and ability to take part in normal school activities. Since migraine pain can be so intense that a child often cannot think or function very well during or immediately following episodes, school absenteeism may result.

What is most important to understand is that there is no difference between the cause of migraines in a child and that of an adult; however, what should be of great concern is the treatment used in the case of children. The pharmaceutical medications prescribed today for the treatment and prevention of migraines have, for the most part, been approved for use only by adults and not for children.

In managing migraines in children the first question should be how often does he or she suffer a migraine? If the frequency is low (less than two days per month), then it may be a matter of using OTC pain relief, such as Ibuprofen or a NASAID, along with quiet rest as the best treatment. When considering starting a child on an adult only drug that may have adverse side effects, including learning disabilities, it is important to note that migraines are a lifetime problem that can last for several decades. You may want to try a natural solution first.

Migraine prevention in children should start with eliminating anything that may trigger a migraine episode. Although migraines triggers, as we know, are not the cause of migraines, they can be the reason for the onset of one. Since children are more prone to eat junk foods that may contain MSG or other problematic additives as well as drinks that contain artificial sweeteners, they must be taught what may lead to a migraine. When trying to determine what may be triggering a migraine, always look back at least 24 hours to review any food or activity leading to the migraine. By learning what to avoid your child may be able to reduce the number of migraines each month.

Children who have reached the age of puberty may benefit from our all natural migraine prevention solution, Tuliv Migraine Defense. Tuliv Migraine Defense has been safely used by children for the prevention of migraine since 2005. Sara writes about her 15 year old daughter, "Eileen, I just wanted to let you know how well your Migraine Defense formula is working for my daughter (just like you said it would). She started taking the recommended dosage and her migraines stopped completely within two weeks. She has been able to return to school and is doing fine."

For more testimonials on the use of Tuliv Migraine Defense, please visit www.Tuliv.com

If you have questions about your child having migraines, please call us at 1-866-367-5953 or send an email to Questions@Tuliv.com.

Sinus Headache or Migraine?

People often wonder... Am I getting the correct diagnosis? Perhaps the most misdiagnosed migraine is the sinus headache. A study by the Mayo Clinic found that nearly 9 in 10 people who were diagnosed with sinus headaches were actually suffering from migraines.

Although some of the symptoms including congestion, pressure and pain in the forehead and around the eyes are similar. In both cases, the symptoms of a sinus infection are generally accompanied by fever, swollen lymph nodes and a persistent green or yellow nasal discharge. If you don't have those symptoms along with your headache, it is most likely a frontal migraine.

Doctors unwittingly and ineffectively treat the symptoms of a frontal migraine as a sinus infection through the use of antibiotics and prescription or OTC sinus remedies. More severe treatments often include sinus scrapings, surgeries, and nasal medication - all of which are of no avail because of the misdiagnoses.

In order to understand why a migraine feels like a sinus headache we need to review the problem area of a migraine. The pain of a migraine headache is felt when the blood vessels intertwined with the trigeminal nerves begin to expand and put pressure on the nerve endings. This trigeminal-vascular system runs from the temporal lobes along each side of the head and then branches out behind the eyes across the forehead, into the cheeks and down the jaw line. The ends of each side of this system meet to surround the sinus cavity.

As part of the migraine syndrome, the tiny hair-like blood vessels expand and swell around the sinus cavity causing a squeezing-like pressure on it which results in a feeling of sinus congestion and pain.

Much time and money, not to mention the amount of pain, is often spent on trying to fight the wrong cause of migraines. The true cause of migraines is not a problem with a person's sinuses (nor does it have anything to do with the jaw, teeth, or the neck as it is sometimes thought). Since migraines are genetic and caused by an abnormal responses to hormone production, there is no sinus remedy that will help prevent a migraine from occurring.

Tuliv Migraine Defense is the only anti-migraine product that builds a natural defense system in the body to help prevent migraines.

If you have any questions or would like to visit more about this subject or any aspect of migraines, please call 1-866-367-5953 (9 AM to 3 PM CST M-F) or send an email anytime to Questions@Tuliv.com.

Do you know someone who has complained about "sinus headaches"? If so, please forward this article to him or her.

Migraine Prevention is Real

The following is an unedited copy of an email I received recently.

Dear Lyle,

Last year I suffered with migraines not even realizing they were such until my husband, an ambulatory critical care hospital pharmacist recognized them.

I thought for so many years before meeting my husband that I was simply having a sinus headache or environmental weather issues with climate pressures. I had no idea my headaches were connected with my hormone changes every month. I only knew they were getting more intense and frequent to the point of ongoing pain three weeks out of the month with a pain level of 9 - 10 on a pain scale of ten.

Once I knew the source of my pain, I tried chiropractors, massage therapy, vegetable juicing, and migraine medication; however the headaches kept presenting themselves. I thought my newly married life was over at 49.

It wasn't until my husband researched the Internet and found your website discussing Eileen's story that things for us began to change. We wanted a safe, natural, preventive for this horrible pain that was robbing us of our new life together, and almost a year later, I can tell you my life has been fully restored. Your [Migraine Defense] formula is an absolute miracle, no less.

Initially, I was having breakthrough pain with the recommended dose of 6 capsules for my body wt of 110 lbs, and so I experimented with some of the supplements after discussing this with you. Still, breakthrough pain came, which is why I hadn't written until now. My husband, understanding that dose is often relevant to the patient's circumstances, suggested I add an additional capsule of the migraine defense to my daily intake. It was the magic number. For months now I am migraine-free without breakthrough.

Your formula is a godsend. Thank You forever for giving me back my life to share with my husband.

Blessings,

Cynthia Albert, BSN, RN

More Bad News for Topamax Users

Small Study Shows Increase Risks in Birth Defects When Topamax Is Used During Pregnancy

July 21, 2008 -- A small study published in the latest issue of the journal Neurology, shows Topamax (topiramate) has been linked to an increase risk of birth defects in babies born to patients who took it during pregnancy.

"More research needs to be done to confirm these results, especially since it was a small study," researcher John Craig, MRCP, of the Royal Group of Hospitals in Belfast, Northern Ireland said in a news release.

He added that although the study included only epilepsy patients, the results may be of particular relevance for migraine patients "since [Topamax] is also used for preventing migraines, which is an even more common condition that also occurs frequently in women of childbearing age."

If the study findings are confirmed, they suggest that Topamax may not be an appropriate migraine treatment for women who are considering pregnancy, neurologist Shlomo Shinnar, MD, PhD, of New York's Montefiore Medical Center told WebMD. Shinnar is a spokesman for the American Academy of Neurology.

Information from the Official Topamax Web Site
In review of the information on the official Topamax site we found a report by Dr. Diamond associate director of the Diamond Headache Clinic of Chicago, from July 19, 2007 regarding Topamax During Pregnancy. She reported that although some prescription and over-the-counter drugs may pose a small degree of risk to the fetus, few pregnant migraine sufferers can go 9 months without treatment for migraine pain, and there are headache pain medications that are proven safer than others.

In this report, the only prescription medications she mentioned that should not be taken during pregnancy because of their known adverse effects, are phenytoin, valproic acid, and lithium carbonate.

Dr. Diamond went on to say pregnant women should be recommended nonpharmacological treatments for migraines during all trimesters, such as rest, biofeedback, ice/heat, massage, exercise, folate, and avoiding migraine triggers.

Dr. Merle Diamond has indicated that she has served as a speaker and/or consultant, or has conducted research for AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline, Merck, Pfizer, and Ortho-McNeil the makers of Topamax.

Information from TOPAMAX full U.S. Prescribing Information

"What Should I Do If I Get Pregnant While Taking TOPAMAX?"

"It is not clear if there is a risk to the fetus/baby if you are exposed to TOPAMAX and you are pregnant. Various abnormalities have been described in the offspring of animals exposed to TOPAMAX during pregnancy. If you use TOPAMAX while you are pregnant, ask your healthcare professional about reporting your experience to the North American Drug Pregnancy Registry at Massachusetts General Hospital (Boston, MA). This registry collects information about the babies born to women who are taking drugs to treat various conditions. Information about the North American Drug Pregnancy Registry can be found at http://www.massgeneral.org/aed/.You can also join the registry by calling 1-877-376-3872."

"In a rat embryo/fetal development study with a postnatal component (0.2, 2.5, 30, or 400 mg/kg during organogenesis; pups exhibited delayed physical development at 400 mg/kg (10 times the RHD on a mg/m2 basis) and persistent reductions in body weight gain at 30 mg/kg (1 times the RHD on a mg/m2 basis) and higher.

There are no studies using TOPAMAX® in pregnant women. TOPAMAX® should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit outweighs the potential risk to the fetus. In post-marketing experience, cases of hypospadias have been reported in male infants exposed in utero to topiramate, with or without other anticonvulsants; however, a causal relationship with topiramate has not been established."

Note from Lyle

I readily add that any women who is thinking about or becomes pregnant should meet with her doctor(s) to fully review each and every medication whether it be pharmaceutical, OTC, natural, or herbal to determine what is best for her and her baby.

Lyle