How Heavy Metals & Trace Elements Affect Migraine

Day 2 (2025)

Key Questions

What are heavy metals and trace elements?
What role do heavy metals and trace elements play in oxidative stress and migraine?
How does an imbalance of trace elements affect the body?
Can heavy metals disrupt hormones?
What are “forever chemicals?”
What role do heavy metals play in mitochondrial dysfunction?
How do heavy metals impact detoxification pathways?
Where are heavy metals found, and how do they enter the body?
What role do trace elements have in migraine management?
How can you get tested for heavy metals?
What role does hydration play in detoxification?
What are some ways we can lessen our load of toxins in our food and environment?

Interview Notes

Treatments Mentioned

Aerobic exercise
Antioxidants
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
Cruciferous vegetables
High-fiber diet
Hydration
Iron
Lifestyle modifications
Magnesium
Riboflavin (vitamin B2)
Sweating
Vitamin C
Ventilation
Zinc

Please note: The Migraine World Summit’s aim is to bring you a variety of perspectives and expertise, independent of bias or judgment. Alternative theories presented in this video have not been medically reviewed. Views expressed in this interview do not necessarily represent the views of the Migraine World Summit. Please always consult your health care professional and do your own research before making changes to your treatment plan.

Expert

Robert Bonakdar, MD

Pain & Headache Specialist
Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine

Dr. Robert Bonakdar received his M.D. from the University of Nevada School of Medicine and his undergraduate degree in psychobiology from Occidental College in Los Angeles. He received the Richter Fellowship for Independent International Research in the field of Southeast Asian health practices and studied in Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, China, and Indonesia. He completed a clinical and research fellowship in integrative medicine at Scripps Clinic and has been the director of pain management at the Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine in La Jolla, Calif., since 2002.

In addition to family medicine, Dr. Bonakdar is certified in integrative medicine and headache medicine by the United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties (UCNS). He is a Fellow of the American Nutrition Association, and a member of the American Headache Society’s Complementary and Integrative Medicine Special Interest Section, where he has helped create patient education guides. He is active in nutrition research and novel approaches to migraine.