The Hidden Vitamin Deficiency That Is Causing Your Headaches Without You Knowing.
When is a headache more than just a set of throbbing temples? When that headache is a migraine headache, there is more than just a pesky pain from the neck up.
Migraine sufferers know that these headaches are a special kind of awful: visual auras, nausea, fatigue and disorientation can all accompany the crippling pain that comes with a migraine.
Recent research has shown that migraines may, in part, be due to a nutritional deficiency—and one that can be easily remedied.
Migraine – What is it?
It is estimated that more than 300 million people across the globe suffer from intermittent migraines: about 6 percent of all males and more than twice as many females get these horrible headaches from time to time.
Migraine are severe headaches that can last from several hours to several days, often precipitated by an “aura,” or a change in vision.
These auras may include the perception of geometric shapes, a sense that one’s vision has been shattered into fragments, blurriness and spots or dots—especially on one side of the visual field.
These auras may be accompanied by feelings of dizziness and confusion or nausea and fatigue. Often the aura is a sign of the worst to come: the blindingly awful headache that the migraine experience culminates in.
Migraine and Nutritional Deficiencies – the Connection
Although the underlying cause of migraine headaches has yet to be pinpointed and is thought to be different from person to person, research has shown that many migraine sufferers also have something else in common: a nutritional deficiency in one or more essential vitamins.
The Migraine-B Vitamin Connection
Migraine headaches may have many causes, and those causes vary from individual to individual. However, research studies aimed at determining whether nutritional factors may play a role in migraine development have shown that B vitamins may play a significant role in migraine headaches. (2)
According to a research published in the journal CNS and Neurological Disorders Drug Targets by scientists from the Human Genome Center at the University Sains Malaysia, folic acid (vitamin B9) and vitamins B6 and B12 may play a role in migraine triggering and suppression.
(1) According to this study, deficiencies in these vitamins can trigger migraines.
Vitamin B12 deficiency is one of the 5 essential nutrients you may be missing from your diet.
Further research published in 2009 and spearheaded by a research team from Australia’s Griffith University showed that folic acid and vitamins B6 and B12 can reduce the severity and frequency of migraines among a sample of migraine sufferers. (3)
Another study from Iran published in October 2015’s Electron Physician journal showed that vitamin B2 deficiency could be related to migraine. (4)
All told, the data points to a tie between B vitamins and migraines, namely that B vitamin deficiency especially folic acid, B2, B6 and B12 can lead to migraine suffering. Here are the warning signs of vitamin B12 deficiency and how to fix it.
The Migraine-D Vitamin Connection
Vitamin D deficiency is more common than you may think. In fact, it is so common that The American Journal of Clinical NutritionIt called it a worldwide problem which is recognized as a pandemic.
What makes vitamin D unique compared to other vitamins is that your body can make its own vitamin D when you expose your skin to sunlight, whereas you need to get other vitamins from the foods you eat.
In today’s world where so many people spend the bulk of their time indoors, exposure to and absorption of naturally occurring vitamin D can be sorely lacking.
I’ve already mentioned the common causes for lack of vitamin D and how this deficiency affects your health. A research indicates that lack of vitamin D may also cause migraines.
A study conducted by researchers from Turkey’s Bozok University, published in the October 2014 edition of the International Journal of Clinical Practice suggested that individuals with low serum vitamin D levels were more prone to suffering from migraines than people with normal serum vitamin D levels. (5)
Here is what the researchers found:
Serum vitamin D levels were significantly lower in patients with migraines compared to the control group.
In a multiple model analysis, vitamin D were found to be associated with migraines.
The researchers concluded:
“Based on the present findings, we may suggest that decreased serum vitamin D levels were associated with migraine.”
Comprehensive Migraine Treatment – Look for the Migraine Triggers
It is important for you to understand that treating migraines by using a simple remedy may not be the best approach. While using supplements like B and D vitamins can be useful, this is still an approach which is similar to using medications. In many cases you can get a longer lasting relief by identifying the root cause of your migraines – you need to identify and avoid the triggers of the migraine.
Just as there are numerous theories on the actual mechanics of migraine pain, there are a wide number of potential triggers — and what triggers a migraine for you might not trigger it in someone else. So rather than just popping some B or D vitamins you will want to consider a more comprehensive strategy.
Let’s discuss some of the common triggers: (6)
Common Migraine Triggers
Food and Drink
Food and drink can be a big culprit in bringing on a migraine. Preservatives in processed foods, caffeine, tannins in red wine and black tea, excessive sodium intake, smoked foods and aged cheeses can all act as triggers for migraine.
Many people who eat convenience foods find themselves suffering from migraines without being able to pinpoint a specific trigger. Avoid these 10 fake foods as well as these food ingredients.
Hormonal Triggers
Many women experience migraines in time with their monthly menstrual cycles, leading to a pattern of misery related to the ups and downs of progesterone and estrogen associated with menstruating.
Some of these women find total relief after menopause has set in, while others continue to grapple with migraine pain even after the change of life. For more information, read my post about the 13 signs you have hormonal imbalance.
Stress
Did you know that at least 60% of all diseases can be in some way attributed to stress?
Stress can be another major trigger for migraines; a new job, increased workload at an existing job, or even marrying or having a child are all considered stressful events, and can all serve as migraine triggers.
If you suffer from stress, use these 7 effective meditation techniques to reduce stress.
Sensory triggers
A lot of migraine sufferers insist that their migraine-related pain is brought on primarily by sensory triggers, especially visual ones.
Bright or flickering lights, a rapid change from darkness to brightness, and even exposure to sunlight can all trigger a migraine headache.
Sometimes loud or repetitive sounds can also serve as a trigger, or even strong smells such as perfume or chemical scents.
The ’60s Icon Who Lost Love And Endured Tragedy: Her Photos At 86
Connie Francis stands as one of the most influential and successful female vocalists in American music history—a performer whose unmistakable voice helped define the sound of the late 1950s and early 1960s.
With timeless classics such as “Who’s Sorry Now?”, “Stupid Cupid,” “My Heart Has a Mind of Its Own,” and “Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool,” she became an international sensation, captivating audiences around the world with her emotional delivery and remarkable vocal versatility.
Behind the glamour, however, was a life marked by extraordinary triumphs, heartbreaking loss, and an unwavering determination to survive challenges that would have broken many others.
Born Concetta Rosa Maria Franconero, Connie showed musical talent from an early age. Recognizing her potential, her father became the driving force behind her career.
Fiercely ambitious and deeply determined to see his daughter succeed, he encouraged—and often pressured—her to perform from childhood.
Under his strict guidance, Connie appeared in talent competitions, television programs, and live performances while still very young.
Although his relentless efforts ultimately helped launch one of the most successful careers in popular music, they also created enormous emotional pressure.
Connie would later acknowledge that the discipline and expectations placed upon her during her formative years shaped both her incredible work ethic and many of the personal struggles she experienced later in life.
Her breakthrough arrived in 1958 with “Who’s Sorry Now?” At first, the song attracted little attention, but after legendary television host Dick Clark played it on American Bandstand, everything changed.
Almost overnight, Connie Francis became a household name.
The record climbed the charts not only in the United States but across Europe and beyond, transforming her into one of the world's first truly international female pop stars.
Over the following years, she dominated radio with a remarkable string of hit records, sold millions of albums, and performed in multiple languages, building an enormous global fan base that stretched far beyond English-speaking audiences.
While her professional life appeared glamorous, her personal life was often filled with heartbreak. One of the deepest emotional wounds came from her romance with fellow singer Bobby Darin.
Their relationship blossomed during the early years of their careers, and the pair reportedly envisioned a future together.
However, Connie's father strongly disapproved of the relationship and ultimately intervened, preventing the romance from continuing.
The separation devastated both young performers. Bobby Darin eventually moved on and married actress Sandra Dee, while Connie would later describe losing him as one of the greatest heartbreaks of her life.
Years afterward, she admitted that she often wondered how different her life might have been had they been allowed to remain together.
As the years passed, the tragedies continued to mount. In 1974, Connie became the victim of a horrific assault following a performance, an event that profoundly affected her emotionally and psychologically.
The traumatic experience left lasting scars and dramatically altered her confidence and sense of security.
Determined that others should not endure similar suffering without support, she later became an outspoken advocate for victims' rights, helping raise awareness about crime victims and encouraging improvements in victim assistance programs throughout the United States.
Not long afterward, another devastating blow struck when her beloved younger brother, George Franconero Jr., was murdered.
His death shattered the family and plunged Connie into overwhelming grief. Losing someone so close while still coping with previous trauma compounded her emotional struggles and made everyday life increasingly difficult.
The combination of public pressure, personal loss, and unresolved trauma gradually took a severe toll on her mental health.
During these painful years, Connie faced profound depression and experienced periods of emotional crisis.
She openly discussed her struggles with mental illness, including a suicide attempt, choosing to speak honestly about experiences that were rarely discussed publicly at the time.
Her willingness to share her story helped reduce stigma surrounding mental health and encouraged countless others to seek treatment and support. Rather than hiding her pain, Connie transformed it into a source of compassion for people facing similar battles.
As if those challenges were not enough, Connie also endured a devastating setback to the very gift that had made her famous—her voice.
Following nasal surgery intended to improve her breathing, complications temporarily robbed her of her ability to sing.
For an artist whose identity and livelihood depended upon her voice, the experience was emotionally crushing.
The fear that she might never perform again left her questioning whether her extraordinary career had reached its end.
Through months of rehabilitation, patience, and determination, she gradually regained her vocal abilities, demonstrating once again the remarkable resilience that had become a defining characteristic of her life.
Despite enduring repeated personal tragedies, Connie refused to let hardship define her legacy.
Throughout the years, she found strength in several enduring sources: her deep religious faith, the love she shared with her adopted son Joey, and the unwavering support of generations of devoted fans who continued to celebrate her music long after her chart-topping years had passed.
Their encouragement reminded her that her voice—and her story—continued to matter.
Professionally, Connie Francis achieved accomplishments that remain extraordinary by any standard.
She sold more than 80 million records worldwide, recorded songs in numerous languages, and became one of the first female solo artists to enjoy sustained international superstardom.
Her influence reached far beyond America, making her one of the most recognizable voices of her era.
Even decades after her biggest hits, her recordings continue to be rediscovered by new generations of listeners who appreciate the sincerity, warmth, and emotional depth she brought to every performance.
Today, at 87 years old, Connie Francis is remembered not only as a legendary singer but also as a symbol of perseverance.
Living a quiet life in Florida after retiring from the spotlight, she remains an enduring inspiration to fans around the world.
Her extraordinary journey serves as a reminder that fame does not shield anyone from heartbreak, loss, or personal struggle, but it also demonstrates the remarkable resilience of the human spirit.
Through unimaginable challenges, Connie continued to move forward with courage, dignity, and hope.
Her legacy extends far beyond the millions of records she sold or the timeless songs she recorded.
It lives on in her advocacy for victims' rights, her openness about mental health, and her willingness to transform personal pain into compassion for others.
Connie Francis is remembered not simply because she possessed one of the most recognizable voices of the twentieth century, but because she showed the world that true strength is measured not by the absence of suffering, but by the courage to keep singing after life has tested you again and again.
