Gestational diabetes affects around 7–10% of all pregnancies worldwide, and many expecting mothers worry about whether or not it is genetic. The answer is a bit complicated. While gestational diabetes cannot be caused by one single gene, some risk factors can make it more likely for a pregnant woman to develop the condition. In this article, we will attempt to explain the genetic side of things and touch upon some other modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors.
Our genes affect not just our eye color and height but also the likelihood of developing many health conditions from type 2 diabetes to Alzheimer’s. Many genes come together to interact with our environment and lifestyle to modify the risk.
At Xcode Life, you can upload your existing DNA raw data from ancestry genetic tests to understand your genetic health risk so that you can modify your lifestyle to lower the risk. Learn more.
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), or gestational diabetes, is diabetes or any degree of glucose intolerance first developed/recognized during pregnancy.
GDM occurs due to a combination of resistance to insulin (a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels) and an inability of the body to produce enough insulin to meet the increased demands during pregnancy.
Typically, those affected with GDM do not have diabetes before they are pregnant, and in most cases, the blood sugar levels return to normal soon after the baby is born.
However, there’s a 30-70% chance of GDM recurring in subsequent pregnancies.
The worldwide prevalence of GDM is increasing due to some factors:
Despite GDM being the most common medical complication in pregnancy, there’s no universal screening or diagnostic approach for this condition.
In most cases, GDM doesn’t have any noticeable symptoms and is diagnosed through routine pregnancy screening.
However, this condition can lead to many severe complications if left untreated.
Many past and present studies are trying to answer the question, “why do some people develop GDM while others don’t.”
Studies report that the risk for GDM is associated with certain genetic changes that also influence type 2 diabetes risk.
This makes sense since insulin resistance is an important causative factor in both.
This also explains the increased risk for type 2 diabetes in people who have had GDM.
Further, research also suggests that the adverse outcomes in infants due to GDM may also have a genetic basis.
A glucose sensor gene called the GCK gene plays an important role in this.
The body cannot effectively recognize high blood sugar levels in those with mutations in this gene, and those harboring these mutations have a higher GDM risk.
Research shows that GDM due to GCK gene mutations is associated with changes in the infants’ birth weight.
GENE | FUNCTION |
Insulin receptor substrate 1 – IRS1 | Regulates insulin-signaling – influences glucose uptake by fat and muscle cells |
Insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA-binding protein 2 – IGF2BP2 | Regulates insulin secretion |
CDK5 regulatory subunit associated protein 1 like-1 – CDKAL1 | Function unknown; pregnant women in CDKAL1 mutation have a certain degree of impairment in insulin secretion |
Glucokinase – GCK | Stimulates pancreatic β cells, and liver cells for insulin secretion |
Transcription factor 7-like 2 – TCF7L2 | Regulates signaling pathways associated with insulin secretion. Mutations can result in reduced insulin secretion |
Melatonin receptor 1B – MTNR1B | Circadian rhythm regulator; mutations in this gene associated with increased blood glucose levels and type 2 diabetes |
Potassium inwardly-rectifying channel, subfamily J, member 11 – KCNJ11 | Potassium channel regulator; mutations in this gene are a well-established cause of neonatal diabetes mellitus |
Potassium voltage-gated channel, KQT-like subfamily, member 1 – KCNQ1 | Voltage-gated potassium channel; involved in the regulation of insulin secretion |
Glucokinase regulator –GCKR | Regulatory protein that inhibits activation of liver and pancreatic cells for insulin secretion |
Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α – HNF4A | Mutation in this gene is associated with maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) |
Solute carrier family 30 member 8 – SLC30A8 | Is expressed only in the pancreas and is related to insulin secretion |
Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ – PPARG | Regulates fat cell differentiation and maintains glucose levels |
Fat mass and obesity-associated gene – FTO | Involved in the regulation of fat mass and fat growth and body weight |
It’s important to know that having these gene changes (mutations) doesn’t guarantee that you’ll develop GDM or type 2 diabetes.
They increase your risk for these conditions, which can be reduced through lifestyle choices like adopting a balanced diet and regular exercise regimen.
Having this genetic risk information at hand can help doctors develop better screening measures for GDM and provide optimal treatment options.
It can also help healthcare professionals suggest suitable interventions that can be followed by anyone with a high risk for GDM and possibly avert it.
A family history of diabetes can increase your risk for type 2 diabetes and GDM.
According to studies, those with close family relatives who have type 2 diabetes are more likely to have GDM.
Having a parent with type 2 diabetes can put you at a 2.3x increased risk for GDM, and the risk increases to 8.4x if a sibling has type 2 diabetes.
Thus, your doctor needs to know your family history of diabetes to ensure good care during pregnancy.
GDM can strike anyone.
But certain factors can increase your risk for this condition (other than family history)
The risk for GDM increases with age; it is more profound in pregnancies after age 35.
Those with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) are at a higher risk for GDM.
Being overweight and obese can significantly increase GDM risk.
GDM in previous pregnancies or delivery of a baby weighing more than 9 pounds (4.1 kilograms) can increase the risk.
People from certain races and ethnicity are at higher risk for GDM.
Compared to non-Hispanic white people, Hispanics, black non-Hispanics, and Asians have consistently been found to be at increased risk.
Certain chemicals found in everyday products like soaps, shampoos, and perfumes, including BPA, phthalates, and phenols, can contribute to GDM risk upon overexposure.
Certain compounds present in polluted air can increase blood sugar levels in pregnant women (especially fasting glucose concentrations).
Evidence suggests that factors like ambient temperature and season can influence GDM risk.
A higher prevalence of GDM has been observed in summer months – higher ambient temperature is associated with elevated glucose levels.
According to a study, lower or higher sun exposure during the first trimester of pregnancy increases GDM risk.
This increased risk was observed regardless of body weight.
Even if you have a high genetic risk for GDM, it is possible to lower it through certain measures.
A healthy diet: Be sure to include plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Avoid processed foods and sugary drinks.
Regular exercise: A moderate amount of exercise is the key to maintaining good blood sugar levels during pregnancy.
**Certain types of workouts are advised to be avoided during pregnancy. Please seek advice from a qualified medical professional regarding exercising during pregnancy.
Glucose level monitoring: Check your levels before and after meals, as well as at bedtime.
Gestational diabetes is a rise in blood sugar levels observed during pregnancy, which typically falls to the normal range after delivery.
Genes that play a role in insulin secretion, insulin sensitivity, and glucose metabolism can influence gestational diabetes risk. Genetic changes that underlie type 2 diabetes can also increase the risk for gestational diabetes.
Family history is also a contributing factor to gestational diabetes. Those with family members with type 2 diabetes are at up to 8x the increased risk for GDM.
Other factors like age at pregnancy, other health conditions, ethnicity, exposure to chemicals, and climate can influence gestational diabetes risk.
It may be possible to prevent gestational diabetes with a healthy diet, regular exercise, and periodic monitoring of blood sugar levels.
https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/gestational-diabetes/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7736606/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29728773
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8394229/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6882194/
https://genomemedicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/gm232
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9662401/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14738023/
https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-022-13965-5
https://ehjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12940-020-00668-w#Abs1
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6968564/
Despite the tremendous growth of the healthcare industry, some diseases like cancer remain elusive and hard to handle. Multiple factors contribute to the development and progression of the condition, gene variations being one of them. Genetic testing now makes it possible to know if a person is at risk for developing certain kinds of cancers. The 23andMe BRCA test can check DNA samples for 44 cancer-causing variants and help at-risk individuals take timely preventive actions. What is 23andMe’s BRCA accuracy rate? How much can these test results be trusted? What are the limitations of the test? Keep reading to know more.
Did You Know
Contrary to popular belief, BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes don’t cause breast cancer. In fact, they have a protective role against cancers! In some cases, BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes have mutations that interfere with their protective role. Though these mutations may not definitely cause breast cancer, they do increase the chance for it to develop. Genetic tests can help find faulty genes and help family members find out whether they are at increased risk. Xcode Life looks for these mutations in your ancestry test DNA data and provides you with a comprehensive Breast Cancer Risk analysis. Learn more
Genetic testing can provide essential information about certain health risks, helping individuals take timely preventive actions.
23andMe is a personal genomics company that sells direct-to-consumer health and ancestry genetic testing kits.
23andMe’s testing kits offer a combination of health predisposition, carrier status, wellness, pharmacogenetic, and ancestry reports, depending on the service chosen.
The BRCA1/BRCA2 (Selected Variants) Genetic Health Risk report is one such test report.
According to 23andMe, this test report may tell if a person has an increased risk of developing certain types of cancers due to BRCA gene variations.
The 23andMe BRCA1/BRCA2 (Selected Variants) Genetic Health Risk report tests human DNA samples for 44 variants of the Breast Cancer 1 (BRCA1) and Breast Cancer 2 (BRCA2) genes.
The test uses human saliva samples for analysis. It may take up to a few weeks for the users to receive their test results digitally.
The BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes help create proteins that are tumor suppressors.
These proteins also repair damaged DNAs and regulate cell division.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 3% of breast and 10% of ovarian cancers are due to mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes.
Mutations in these genes affect both men and women and may also increase their risks of developing uterine, colon, stomach, pancreatic, and testicular cancers.
According to the company’s website, all their health report tests, including the BRCA report, meet the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) analytical and clinical validity requirements.
What does that mean?
The 23andMe BRCA report is the only FDA-authorized direct-to-consumer test for BRCA variants available in the market.
However, the FDA specifies that the 23andMe BRCA report should not be used for diagnosis and cannot be used to make medical decisions.
What does this mean?
It means that even if the BRCA report is >99% accurate, it cannot say if a person would or wouldn’t develop cancer.
Some people with the risk variants may not develop cancer, while those who don’t have the variants could end up with cancer due to other reasons.
The FDA protects public health by monitoring the efficacy and safety of food, drugs, cosmetics, biological products, and radiation-emitting electronics.
The FDA assesses direct-to-consumer genetic tests for reliability, accuracy, clinical validity, and the truthfulness of their claims.
In 2018, the FDA authorized 23andMe’s initial BRCA genetic test.
This test analyzed and reported three variants of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes commonly found in people of Ashkenazi Jewish descent.
In August 2023, 23andMe received the FDA 501(k) clearance to test for 41 more variants in both these genes that may be associated with an increased risk of certain types of cancers.
Does the new FDA clearance mean the 23andMe BRCA accuracy rate has improved drastically?
Since the BRCA test now reports on 44 variants instead of just 3, the chance of the test identifying a person’s risk of developing cancers has improved.
This also means that the BRCA report would now be inclusive of people of different descents instead of just focusing on the Ashkenazi population.
According to the company, this report may have the following ethnic accuracy rate.
Any adult who can provide a saliva sample can take the 23andMe BRCA report.
Once you receive the test results, you may find either of the three terms mentioned in the report.
This means none of the 44 variants tested were found in your DNA.
This, however, does not mean you have zero risks of developing cancers.
You may still have other cancer-causing variants not part of the test.
Non-genetic factors may also add to the risk.
If one or more variants were found in your test report, you have a higher risk of developing certain types of cancers.
The next step is to make an appointment with your healthcare provider and discuss the findings.
Your doctor may have strategies to prevent or reduce your risk of developing these conditions.
You can also speak to a genetic counselor to get more value from your test report.
This is especially helpful if the findings make you uncomfortable, fearful, or anxious or if you are worried about the risk status of your relatives.
Sometimes, the counselor may advise your closest family members to get their genes tested to see if they carry the same variant.
Random test errors, contaminated samples, or other external factors can prevent the lab from successfully analyzing your sample.
In this case, the lab may ask for a new sample.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7010426/
https://www.cdc.gov/genomics/disease/breast_ovarian_cancer/genes_hboc.htm
https://www.breastcancer.org/research-news/fda-authorizes-23andme-brca-genetic-test
https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/in-vitro-diagnostics/direct-consumer-tests
Deep within every cell of your body lies a hidden language written in a microscopic script. This complex code, meticulously crafted to control everything from your eye color to your vulnerability to disease, is the essence of life itself – DNA. But, the secrets of DNA extend beyond its role as a blueprint. How are its building blocks arranged? How do they interact to form the complex structure that stores and transmits genetic information? What happens when these building blocks come together to create proteins? Let’s explore these questions and learn more about how amazing DNA is.
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid), often described as the blueprint of life, is a fundamental molecule found in every cell of living organisms.
It contains the instructions needed for an organism to develop, survive, and reproduce.
Stored within the cell nucleus, DNA is organized into structures known as chromosomes.
These chromosomes are like instruction manuals, each containing a specific segment of DNA crucial for various functions and characteristics of the organism.
DNA carries the instructions for building proteins.
These proteins are responsible for everything from building tissues and organs to carrying out essential functions like metabolism and respiration.
Each DNA sequence that serves as a set of instructions to produce a protein is recognized as a gene.
Genes only make up 1 percent of the entire DNA sequence; the remaining 99 percent of DNA sequences are involved in the complex regulation of when, how, and in what quantity proteins are produced.
This control system ensures that the body functions precisely and efficiently.
DNA was discovered through the work of many scientists over time.
In the 1860s, Johann Friedrich Miescher, a Swiss chemist, first found a substance in white blood cells, later known as DNA.
Albrecht Kossel, a German biochemist, identified this substance as deoxyribonucleic acid in 1881 and discovered its five main components.
The theory that chromosomes carry genetic information from parents to children was proposed in the early 1900s by Walter Sutton and Theodor Boveri.
Finally, in the 1950s, James Watson and Francis Crick famously determined DNA’s double-helix structure.
Each of these scientists contributed to our understanding of DNA as the blueprint of life.
The building blocks of DNA are called nucleotides or bases. These sit next to each other, forming strands of DNA. You can envision this as beads strung together to form a chain.
In the case of DNA, there are about 3 billion beads.
There are four types of nucleotides, each with a unique structure:
A and G belong to a class called purines, and G and C belong to pyrimidines.
The arrangement of these bases along the DNA strand forms the genetic code, the language of life.
This code is written in three-letter words called codons, each specifying a particular amino acid.
Amino acids are essential elements that serve as the fundamental building blocks of proteins. Their precise arrangement determines the protein’s shape and function.
There are 3 main types of building blocks in DNA:
1. Phosphate group:
2. Sugar molecule (deoxyribose):
3. Nitrogenous base:
The sequence of nitrogenous bases in DNA decides the genetic code, which encodes the instructions for building molecules like proteins.
The number of building blocks in DNA differs among organisms and chromosomes.
In humans, there are about 3 billion building blocks per cell, spread across 23 pairs of chromosomes, each having a different amount, ranging from 50 million to 250 million.
For instance, a bacterium called Carsonella ruddii has the smallest genome, containing only 160 thousand building blocks.
The double helix characterizes DNA’s structural makeup. DNA consists of two linked strands forming a helix, resembling a twisted ladder.
Every strand has a backbone of alternating sugar (deoxyribose) and phosphate groups, with bases (A, T, C, G) attached to the sugars.
Chemical bonds between complementary bases (adenine with thymine, cytosine with guanine) connect the two strands, giving rise to the distinctive double-helix shape.
This structure encodes information for building and operating living systems.
Proteins consist of amino acids connected together by peptide bonds to create a polypeptide chain.
With 20 different amino acids, each with unique properties, DNA provides instructions for assembling them in a specific order.
Gene expression, the process of making proteins from DNA instructions, involves two steps:
Peptide bonds then join the amino acids, forming a polypeptide chain that folds into a specific shape, creating a protein.
DNA holds the instructions for building and operating living organisms, serving as the blueprint of life.
It’s made up of smaller units called nucleotides, each consisting of a sugar molecule, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.
Four nitrogenous bases exist: A, T, G, and C. These bases pair up in specific ways (A with T, G with C) to form the famous double helix structure.
DNA’s code is written in three-letter words called codons, each specifying a particular amino acid – the building blocks of proteins.
The number of building blocks in DNA varies among organisms, with humans having around 3 billion per cell.
DNA plays a crucial role in development, survival, reproduction, and passing traits to offspring.
https://www.genome.gov/about-genomics/fact-sheets/Deoxyribonucleic-Acid-Fact-Sheet
https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/understanding/basics/chromosome/
https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/Nucleotide
https://www.yourgenome.org/stories/the-discovery-of-dna/
https://www.ashg.org/discover-genetics/building-blocks/
https://www.nature.com/scitable/definition/codon-155/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/biochemistry-genetics-and-molecular-biology/nitrogenous-base
https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/Genome
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK218247/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17038615/
https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/Double-Helix
https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/understanding/howgeneswork/makingprotein/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK26829/
AncestryDNA is the gold standard of genetic ancestry testing, giving you detailed information on your ancestral roots, along with some interesting tools to explore your ancestry. Follow this simple 3-step process to log in to your AncestryDNA account to access all this information.
Did you know that your AncestryDNA raw data contains around 700,000 genetic markers? Ancestry reports only use 0.01% of this information. There is more information about your health, nutrition, fitness, allergy, and specific genes like COMT, MTHFR, and APOE in your raw data. After finding out your ancestry information on the AncestryDNA site, you can download your raw data and use it to find out more about yourself. Learn how.
Or you can directly place a request to download your DNA data.
In case you are unable to access your AncestryDNA account, try the following:
Most AncestryDNA accounts renew automatically at the beginning of each calendar month. Semi-annual and annual memberships renew every six months and year, respectively.
If your account doesn’t renew automatically, then:
Your AncestryDNA results cannot be moved from one account to another. However, if you are the account owner, you can invite other people (or your new email) to view the results.
If you would like to share your ethnicity results, visit this page for the instructions.
Have you ever wondered why, despite a perfect bedtime routine, you find yourself waking up precisely at 4 AM? While the reasons behind this early awakening vary widely, they often reflect a complex interplay of hormonal rhythms, lifestyle choices, environmental factors, and genetic makeup. Recent advancements in genetic research have begun to unravel how our DNA can influence sleep patterns and susceptibility to sleep disturbances. In this article, we explore how the intersection of nature and nurture can make up predisposed to waking up at the same time every night.
Did You Know?
Lack of sleep or sleep disturbances are associated with harmful effects on health and performance. While the commonly discussed factors are diet and lifestyle, one of the hidden reasons behind sleep disturbances and disorders is genetics. Learn more:
Getting a good night’s sleep is relaxing, rejuvenating, and essential for the body. However, not everyone is blessed to get good sleep at night.
When you have a night of disturbed sleep at night, you wake up tired in the morning.
Though the amount of sleep one requires varies, adults must get seven to eight hours of it every day.
Several reasons can lead to disturbed sleep, such as:
Our sleep cycle is part of our body’s clock called the ‘circadian rhythm.’
This sleep cycle is regulated by light levels and temperature, which trigger brain chemistry.
Each cycle of sleep during the night is 90 minutes long, and during the deepest phase of this cycle, our brain is flushing away the toxins. Following this, we enter the REM phase.
The hormone melatonin guides REM sleep and allows us to fall asleep at bedtime.
During the early hours, the levels of melatonin fall, and cortisol levels rise, enabling us to wake up.
Studies have shown that the brain sorts out memories in the first half of the night, while the second half is for emotions.
The rising cortisol levels and dealing with emotional events or feelings may be why many people wake up at 3 AM or 4 AM daily.
Other reasons why you may be waking up in the middle of the night are:
Waking up at the same time every night or experiencing disturbed sleep can be a byproduct of many sleep aspects, including circadian rhythm, sleep disorders, etc.
Though no single gene directly determines your likelihood of waking up at 4 AM every day, by influencing several aspects of sleep health, your genetics may still be contributing to this issue.
Most of us wake up at least once every night but should be able to return to sleep immediately.
Waking up at the same time every night is normal if it is due to the natural sleep cycle and not an underlying cause.
With age, sleep patterns change, and the brain adapts to this change.
If you are waking up at least three nights for three months or longer and experiencing daytime impairment due to persistent sleep issues, you must consult your doctor.
To ensure you get a good night’s sleep and avoid waking up at 3 AM or 4 AM every night, here are a few handy tips for good sleep hygiene:
From the conventional wisdom of creating a pitch-dark room and applying ice packs to the neck, to the less orthodox methods like warming the feet, the internet is rife with ‘migraine hacks.’ Yet, these remedies often fall short of providing consistent or complete relief. Magnesium, the all-rounder nutrient, has recently gained attention in migraine management. Research highlights its potential in alleviating migraine pain by modulating key signaling pathways and chemical processes in the brain. However, the question arises: which form of magnesium is the best for combating migraines? Let’s explore.
Did You Know?
The magnesium levels in your body are partly influenced by your genes. CASR is a gene, which contains instructions for producing a protein called the Calcium Sensing Receptor. Certain types of this gene can increase your risk of magnesium deficiency by reducing the reabsorption of magnesium in the kidneys. You can learn in-depth about your nutritional traits using your existing ancestry genetic test DNA data.
Some studies show that magnesium might be effective in relieving migraine.
It is most effective in people who have an aura with their migraine.
It means they experience light flashes or blindspots before or during migraines.
Magnesium may help prevent cortical spreading depression, a wave of brain signaling.
Cortical spreading depression causes visual and sensory changes that cause an aura during a migraine episode.
Magnesium can improve platelet function and block pain-transmitting chemicals in the brain.
It is effective in reducing the symptoms of premenstrual migraine.
Magnesium can be a preventative measure for those who suffer from premenstrual migraine or those who experience an aura with migraine.
There is no foolproof method to check magnesium deficiency in the brain.
Thus, it can be harder to tell if you’re magnesium deficient.
People who suffer from heart disease or diabetes or take diuretics for blood pressure may be prone to low levels of magnesium in the body.
Some studies show that people suffering from migraines can have low levels of magnesium in their brains.
This could be due to:
Magnesium plays a vital role in muscle function.
Signs of magnesium deficiency include:
Magnesium oxide is one of the most commonly prescribed forms of magnesium to treat migraines.
It is readily available and used in clinical trials.
Sometimes, for acute cases, patients are administered magnesium sulfate intravenously.
Here are a few common types of magnesium for migraine treatment:
Pros: It is a readily available form of magnesium and is used widely to treat migraine. It is also absorbed reasonably well in the body.
Cons: Magnesium oxide can cause digestive problems and diarrhea.
Pros: One of the most common forms of magnesium is Epsom salt. It is available in the form of lotions and sprays. Sometimes, it is prescribed intravenously in severe migraine cases.
Cons: The effectiveness of this form of magnesium varies, so it is best used in combination with other forms of magnesium.
Pros: Glycine elevates serotonin levels in the brain, which helps improve sleep quality. Magnesium glycinate also has a higher absorption rate in the body and may be more effective.
Cons: It may cause digestive issues. However, magnesium glycinate is quite gentle on the digestive system.
Pros: It is the only form of magnesium penetrating the blood-brain barrier. It raises magnesium levels in the brain effectively.
Cons: It is more expensive than other forms of magnesium.
Magnesium oxide is prescribed at a dosage of 400-600 mg per day.
Your doctor might prescribe intravenous magnesium sulfate injections if you have a severe magnesium deficiency.
It is advisable to consult your doctor to determine the correct magnesium dosage you will need.
Magnesium is generally safe.
However, excessive magnesium can lead to
These symptoms usually subside when you lower the dose of magnesium you are taking.
Magnesium can also cause more severe side effects, such as shallow blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, and coma.
Always consult your doctor before taking any supplements.
If you don’t want to take supplements, add magnesium-rich foods.
Green leafy vegetables like spinach are some of the best sources of magnesium.
It contains almost 40% of the daily dietary requirement of magnesium.
Some other foods that are rich in magnesium are:
Magnesium might be an effective treatment for migraines.
It is especially effective for premenstrual migraine and for people who experience an aura during migraine.
Magnesium oxide is a common form of magnesium for migraine treatment.
It is always advisable to consult a doctor before starting any supplements.
You can also add magnesium-rich foods such as nuts and leafy green vegetables for adequate magnesium levels.
https://americanmigrainefoundation.org/resource-library/magnesium/
https://www.healthline.com/health/magnesium-for-migraines
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554611/
https://americanmigrainefoundation.org/resource-library/menstrual-migraine-treatment-and-prevention/