VISTA® Advanced Headache Relief Formula

The headache—that constant throbbing, pounding sensation that—while being incredibly common— can really put a damper on your day. Often sudden—and always inconvenient—headaches constrain your ability to concentrate, diminish your productivity, and interfere with your plans and time that could be spent relaxing. For those who suffer from migraines, the experience is more than just annoying—it’s significantly worse and can be downright debilitating.

What are headaches?
A headache is a pain located in your head or face that can be throbbing, constant, sharp, or dull. Most headaches are the result of the interaction between the nerves, blood vessels, and muscles in a person's head and neck. Within these regions, the muscles or blood vessels can swell, tighten, or go through other changes that stimulate and/or put pressure on the nearby nerves. These nerves then send signals to your brain which results in the perception of pain. The intensity and duration of the pain differs from person to person; however, most benign, commonplace headaches last for less than 4 hours.

Migraines, however, can last longer‑between 4 hours to 3 days. The proximate causes are more complex compared to most headaches and involve neurological mechanisms and chemical changes in the brain. Migraines are more than just a headache—they are accompanied by a variety of physical and psychological symptoms and negative sensations, including (but not limited to) nausea, fatigue, light-headedness, mood changes, stiffness in the shoulders and neck, heightened sensitivity to light (photophobia) and sound (phonophobia). Most people who have never experienced a migraine before may not realize how severe it can be. It is estimated that migraine is the 3rd most prevalent illness in the world and the 6th most disabling as more than 90% of sufferers cannot work or function normally when a migraine occurs (Migraine Research Foundation, 2021).

Headaches are a universal part of the human condition—we all experience them from time to time. It is estimated that 50 to 75% of the world's adult population experienced a headache in the past year (WHO, 2016). The reason is that a headache can be triggered by a variety of underlying causes, including lifestyle, situational, environmental, and health factors. Some people are also more prone to get headaches due to genetics—especially migraines. Family and twin studies reveal that migraine proneness has a heritability of between 30 and 60% (Mulder et al., 2003). Migraine Migraines afflict approximately 39 million Americans, with women being about 2 times as likely as men to have had a severe headache or migraine in the past 3 months (20.1% versus 10.6%) (CDC, 2020).

Different types of headaches and causes
Most headaches—annoying as they are—are not a serious cause for concern. Ninety percent of headaches can be treated with at-home care. You should seek medical advice or emergency assistance if your headache is: severe and persistent, accompanied by a loss of vision or consciousness, mental confusion, or severe vomiting, or is the result of a head injury (trauma).

Primary Headaches. A primary headache is when the headache itself is the main medical condition. That is, the headache is not the result of some other medical condition or trauma.

Primary headaches include:

• Tension headaches
  Tension headaches are the dull constant (not throbbing) pain that most people experience when they have a headache. It can feel as though a tight band has been placed around your head, and results in pain felt on both sides of the head. Everyday activities can make the pain feel worse (e.g., bending over, exercising, going upstairs). Tension headaches are not serious and usually last for 4 hours or less.
• Migraines
  With migraines, the pain usually occurs on one side of the head and the feeling is more intense and throbbing compared to a tension headache. Migraines can last for several days (72 hours) and may be perceived by or occur with other various other symptoms, such as nausea, and sensitivity to light, sounds, and smells.
• Cluster headaches
  These are headaches that occur in bunches over weeks or a few months. This headache lasts for a short duration—only about 15 minutes to 3 hours, however, they reoccur frequently. Some people can have eight or more attacks in a day. They are severe in intensity and often occur behind the eyes.
• New daily persistent headaches
  These may start suddenly and can last for 3 months or longer. The causes are not certain but are more common in men and smokers. For some individuals, the symptoms may be mor likely to occur following an infection, flu-like illness, surgery, or stressful event. The pain tends to be moderate, but for some people, it's severe.

Causes of headaches

• Mild headaches—such as tension headaches—can be caused by many factors. Some of the lifestyle or environmental factors can potentially be improved on in other to help prevent headaches. Common causes:
  • Work environment and posture
  • Low Quality Sleep
  • Stress
  • Alcohol, particularly red wine
  • Hangover
  • Dehydration
  • Certain foods, such as processed meats that contain nitrates
  • Poor Diet and lack of nutrients
  • Hunger
  • Caffeine/ caffeine withdrawal
  • Depression
  • Jaw or dental problems
  • Exposure to allergens
  • Secondhand smoke
  • Strong odors from household chemicals or perfumes
• Migraine—Some of the factors that can trigger a migraine overlap with those that cause tension headaches—other are unique. Common causes include:
  • Alcohol
  • Caffeine
  • Certain foods or smells
  • Dry winds
  • Changes in altitude or seasons
  • Changes in hormones such as with menstruation
  • Birth control pills
  • Missing a meal
  • Changes in sleep patterns
  • Neck Pain
  • Stuffy rooms
  • Stress or tension
• Secondary headaches—These headaches are the result of some other underlying medical condition that needs treatment, such as:
  • Disease of blood vessels in the brain
  • Head injury
  • High blood pressure (hypertension)
  • Infection
  • Medication overuse
  • Sinus congestion
  • Trauma
  • Tumor

VISTA® Advanced Headache Relief Formula
VISTA® Advanced Headache Relief Formula has been expertly crafted to provide comfort right when you need it most. Its triple-action blend of Magnesium, herbs & botanicals (Butterbur & Feverfew), and Ashwagandha help soothe your mind and restore your sense of well-being. All-natural ingredients provide relief from common side effects caused by migraines such nausea and anxiety. Take control of your day naturally with VISTA® Advanced Headache Relief Formula.

Butterbur, or Petasites hybridus, is a type of marsh plant that’s long been used for medicinal purposes. It grows throughout Europe and in certain parts of Asia and North America. It’s used to treat headaches, especially migraines and nasal allergies. Butterbur extract has been shown to significantly reduce the frequency of migraine attacks.^1,2,3 VISTA® Advanced Headache Relief formula uses PA (pyrrolizidine alkaloids) free Butterbur.

1. Diener HC, Rahlfs VW. Danesch U. The first placebo-controlled trial of a special butterbur extract for the prevention of migraine: reanalysis of efficacy criteria. Eur Neurol 2004;51:89–97.
2. Grossmann M, Schmidramsl H. An extract of Petasites hybridus is effective in the prophylaxis of migraine. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther 2000;38:430-5.
3. Lipton RB, Gobel H, Einhaupl KM, et al. Petasites hybridus root (butterbur) is an effective preventive treatment for migraine. Neurology 2004;63:2240-4.

Feverfew, or Tanacetum parthenium, is the most frequently used herb for nutritional support of migraines. Continuous use of feverfew may reduce the severity, duration, and frequency of migraine headaches. Studies suggest that taking standardized feverfew leaf extracts that supply a minimum of 250 mcg of parthenolide per day is most effective.^1,2,3,4,5,6

1. Volger BK, Pittler MH, Ernst E. Feverfew as a preventive treatment for migraine: a systematic review. Cephalagia 1998;18:704-8.
2. Murphy JJ, Hepinstall S, Mitchell JR. Randomized double-blind placebo controlled trial of feverfew in migraine prevention. Lancet 1988;2:189-92.
3. Johnson ES, Kadam NP, Hylands DM, Hylands PJ. Efficacy of feverfew as prophylactic treatment of migraine. Br Med J (Clin Res Ed) 1985;291:569-73.
4. Palevitch D, Earon G, Carasso R. Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) as a prophylactic treatment for migraine: A double-blind placebo-controlled study. Phytother Res 1997;11:508-11.
5. Diener HC, Pfaffenrath V, Schnitker J, et al. Efficacy and safety of 6.25 mg t.i.d. feverfew CO2-extract (MIG-99) in migraine prevention - a randomized, double-blind, multicentre, placebo-controlled study. Cephalalgia 2005;25:1031-41.
6. Awang DVC. Parthenolide: The demise of a facile theory of feverfew activity. J Herbs Spices Medicinal Plants 1998;5:95-8.

Magnesium: According to the American Migraine Foundation, daily doses of 400 to 500 mg of magnesium may help some people. They say it’s especially effective for migraines related to menstruation, and those with accompanying aura, or visual changes. Compared with healthy people, people with migraines have been found to have lower blood and brain levels of magnesium.^{1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9} Magnesium glycinate is easily absorbed, gentle on the stomach and may have calming properties. It may help reduce anxiety, depression, stress, and insomnia.

1. Gallai V, Sarchielli P, Coata G, et al. Serum and salivary magnesium levels in migraine. Results in a group of juvenile patients. Headache 1992;32:132-5.
2. Baker B. New research approach helps clarify magnesium/migraine link. Family Pract News 1993;Aug 15:16.
3. Barbiroli B, Lodi R, Cortelli P, et al. Low brain free magnesium in migraine and cluster headache: an interictal study by in vivo phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy on 86 patients. Cephalalgia 1997;17:254.
4. Mazzotta G, Sarchielli P, Alberti A, Gallai V. Intracellular Mg++ concentration and electromyographical ischemic test in juvenile headache. Cephalalgia 1999;19:802-9.
5. Weaver K. Magnesium and migraine. Headache 1990;30:168 [letter].
6. Peikert A, Wilimzig C, Kohne-Volland R. Prophylaxis of migraine with oral magnesium: results from a prospective, multi-center, placebo-controlled and double-blind randomized study. Cephalalgia 1996;16:257-63.
7. Facchinetti F, Sances G, Borella P, et al. Magnesium prophylaxis of menstrual migraine: effects on intracellular magnesium. Headache 1991;31:298-301.
8. https://americanmigrainefoundation.org/resource-library/magnesium/
9. Effects of Intravenous and Oral Magnesium on Reducing Migraine: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. https://www.painphysicianjournal.com/current/pdf?article=MjQ4Nw%3D%3D&journal=93

Ginger extract is well-known for alleviating nausea and improving digestion. It was used in several studies to reduce the severe nausea and vomiting associated with hyperemesis gravidarum.^1,2 In a double-blind study, a sublingual preparation that contained both feverfew and ginger appeared to be beneficial for acute migraines.^3,4

1. Fischer-Rasmussen W, Kjaer SK, Dahl C, Asping U. Ginger treatment of hyperemesis gravidarum. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 1991;38:19-24.
2. Borrelli F, Capasso R, Aviello G, et al. Effectiveness and safety of ginger in the treatment of pregnancy-induced nausea and vomiting. Obstet Gynecol 2005;105:849-56.
3. Cady RK, Goldstein J, Nett R, et al. A double-blind placebo-controlled pilot study of sublingual feverfew and ginger (LipiGesic M) in the treatment of migraine. Headache 2011;51:1078-86
4. Maghbooli M, Golipour F, Moghimi et al. Comparison between the efficacy of ginger and sumatriptan in the ablative treatment of the common migraine. Phytother Res. 2014;28:412–5.

Ashwagandha Studies have suggested that ashwagandha may be helpful for reducing the effects of stress and anxiety^1,2,3,4,5,6 and even boost brain function. It’s classified as an adaptogen, meaning that it can help your body manage stress.

1. Bhattacharya S, Goel R, Kaur R, Ghosal S. Anti-stress activity of sitoindosides VII and VIII, new acylsterylglucosides from Withania somnifera. Phytother Res 1987;1:32-39.
2. Grandhi A, Mujumdar AM, Patwardhan B. A comparative pharmacological investigation of Ashwagandha and Ginseng. J Ethnopharmacol 1994;44:131-5.
3. Dhuley JN. Effect of ashwagandha on lipid peroxidation in stress-induced animals. J Ethnopharmacol 1998;60:173-8.
4. Bhattacharya SK, Muruganandam AV. Adaptogenic activity of Withania somnifera: an experimental study using a rat model of chronic stress. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2003;75:547-55.
5. Chandrasekhar K, Kapoor J, Anishetty S. A prospective, randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study of safety and efficacy of a high-concentration full-spectrum extract of ashwagandha root in reducing stress and anxiety in adults. Indian J Psychol Med 2012;34:255-62.
6. A double-blind, placebo-controlled evaluation of the anxiolytic efficacy ff an ethanolic extract of withania somnifera. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21407960/

References:

1. Mulder EJ, Van Baal C, Gaist D, Kallela M, Kaprio J, Svensson DA et al (2003) Genetic and environmental influences on migraine: a twin study across six countries. Twin Res 6(5):422–431
2. QuickStats: Percentage of Adults Who Had a Severe Headache or Migraine in the Past 3 Months, by Sex and Age Group — National Health Interview Survey, United States, 2018. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2020;69:359. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6912a8.
3. World Health Organization (2016). Headache Disorders. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/headache-disorders
4. Migraine Research Foundation (2021). https://migraineresearchfoundation.org/about-migraine/migraine-facts/