Headache

Created November 2012
* Migraine and cluster headaches are associated with low Vitamin D* Adding Vitamin D both prevents and treats migraine, cluster and other headaches* A random controlled trial has proven Migraines to be reduced by vitamin D (50,000 IU weekly)* Magnesium appears to be needed in addition to Vitamin D to treat some types of headaches*            (Lots more headache information below on this page){include}

Headache pages

Cluster Headache, etc.

This list is automatically updated

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Headache items in Vitamin D Life

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Migraines – reduced in frequency if take (some) Vitamin D – meta-analysis July 2023

Effects of Vitamin D on Migraine: A Meta-Analysis

Neurol India. 2023 Jul-Aug;71(4):655-661. doi: 10.4103/0028-3886.383862 PDF behind a $20 paywall

Saibal Das 1, Ayan Roy 2, Sapan Kumar Behera 1, Sandhiya Selvarajan 2, Sadishkumar Kamalanathan 1, Jaya Prakash Sahoo 2, N Sreekumaran Nair 3

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the difference in mean serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D level between migraineurs and nonmigraineurs, the association between hypovitaminosis D and migraine, and the effects of oral vitamin D supplementation on migraine-related symptoms as compared to placebo.

Methods: Relevant databases were searched for observational studies and randomized-controlled trials (RCTs) which evaluated the difference in mean serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D level between migraineurs and nonmigraineurs; the association between hypovitaminosis D and migraine; and the effects of vitamin D supplementation on migraine-frequency, duration, and severity. Pooled mean difference and odds ratio were calculated (random-effects model, RevMan version 5.3).

Results: Ten observational studies and two RCTs were included. The serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D level in the migraineurs was significantly lower than that in the nonmigraineurs [mean difference - 4.44 ng/mL (95% CI: -6.11, -2.77)] (low-GRADE evidence). Hypovitaminosis D was found to be significantly associated with migraine [OR: 1.95 (95% CI: 1.07, 3.58)] (low-GRADE evidence). As compared to placebo, oral vitamin D supplementation significantly reduced the monthly migraine-frequency [mean difference: -2.20 (95% CI: -3.04, -1.36)].

,: although it did not reduce the migraine-duration [mean difference: -16.00 hours per month (95% CI: -42.77, 10.76)] and migraine-severity score [standardized mean difference: -0.23 (95% CI: -0.79, 0.32)] (moderate-GRADE evidence).

Conclusion: Serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D level was significantly lower in the migraineurs than that in the nonmigraineurs, and hypovitaminosis D was significantly associated with migraine. Oral vitamin D supplementation significantly reduced migraine-frequency, but not its duration and severity.

Many types of headaches, including exercised-induced, are treated by Vitamin D - Perplexity AI July 2025

📄 Perplexity PDF     Mercola and exercise induced headaches (mainly need to drink more water)

Magnesium and Migraine practice- April 2021

Magnesium as an Important Factor in the Pathogenesis and Treatment of Migraine - From Theory to Practice

📄 Download the PDF from Vitamin D Life

Headaches helped by Vitamin D in 7 studies – Jan 2020

Headaches helped by Vitamin D in 7 studies – Jan 2020

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52% of the world experienced some type of “primary” headache during 2022

Telegraph

Why do Humans have Headaches?

Dr. Gominak, April 2014

📄 Download her 119 page PDF with that title from Vitamin D Life

She also has excellent ideas on Sleep Apnea and Vitamin D

Might magnesium or vitamin D reduce migraine headaches? - asked Perplexity AI May 2024

Both magnesium and vitamin D have been studied for their potential to reduce migraine headaches, and there is evidence suggesting that they may be beneficial.

Magnesium and Migraine

Magnesium is a mineral that plays a crucial role in various physiological functions, including nerve transmission and muscle function. Several studies have indicated that magnesium supplementation can help reduce the frequency and severity of migraine attacks:

  • Mechanisms : Magnesium may prevent cortical spreading depression, a wave of brain signaling thought to cause migraine. It also blocks pain-transmitting chemicals in the brain and may prevent the narrowing of brain blood vessels caused by serotonin.

  • Efficacy : Studies have shown that magnesium supplementation can reduce the number of migraine days. For example, one study found that people who took magnesium supplements had migraines on 43% fewer days than those given placebo pills. Another study suggested that magnesium is particularly effective for people who experience migraines with aura.

  • Dosage : The recommended dosage for migraine prevention is typically 400-600 mg per day of magnesium oxide. Higher doses may be more effective but can cause side effects like diarrhea.

    Vitamin D and Migraine

Vitamin D, known for its role in bone health, has also been studied for its potential to reduce migraine frequency and severity:

  • Mechanisms : Vitamin D may help by reducing inflammation, influencing serotonin and dopamine levels, and affecting the absorption of magnesium, which is also linked to migraine prevention. It may also lower levels of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), a key player in migraine pathogenesis.

  • Efficacy : Several studies have shown that vitamin D supplementation can reduce the frequency, severity, and duration of migraine attacks. For instance, a study found that daily administration of 2000 IU of vitamin D reduced the number of headache days and the need for analgesics. Another study reported that vitamin D supplementation led to a significant reduction in headache days among participants.

  • Dosage : The effective dosage of vitamin D for migraine prevention varies, but studies have used doses ranging from 1000 to 4000 IU per day. It is generally recommended to consult with a healthcare provider to determine the appropriate dosage based on individual needs and vitamin D levels.

    Conclusion

Both magnesium and vitamin D have shown promise in reducing migraine headaches through various mechanisms. Magnesium is particularly noted for its role in preventing cortical spreading depression and blocking pain-transmitting chemicals, while vitamin D may reduce inflammation and influence neurotransmitter levels. Supplementation with these nutrients could be a beneficial adjunct to traditional migraine treatments, but it is advisable to consult with a healthcare provider to determine the appropriate dosage and ensure safety.

Click here for references

One of the references: The Magnesium Solution for Migraine Headaches 2004 book

The Best Magnesium Supplements for Migraine - March 2022

the following Extensive discussion on all Magnesiums has the following summary

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What was thought to be tension headaches in 3 girls were treated by Vitamin D - Feb 2016

Vitamin D deficiency mimicking chronic tension-type headache in children

BMJ Case Rep. 2016 Feb 2;2016. pii: bcr2015213833. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2015-213833.

Prakash S1, Makwana P1, Rathore C1.

Department of Neurology, Smt BK Shah Medical Institute and Research Centre, Vadodara, Gujarat, India.

Headache, musculoskeletal pain and vitamin D deficiency, with possible inter-relationship, are common in the general population. We report cases of three premenarchal girls presenting with chronic tension-type headache and generalised body pain. The patients did not show any response to conventional therapy for tension headache. Investigations showed a severe vitamin D deficiency and biochemical osteomalacia in all three patients. The headaches and musculoskeletal pain responded markedly to vitamin D therapy. We suggest that musculoskeletal pain and headache together in a patient may be part of a single symptom complex, with vitamin D deficiency being the possible cause.

Deficiencies of young Migraine patients - June 2016

Riboflavin, CoEnzyme Q10, Folate, and Vitamin D Deficiency in Pediatric, Adolescent, and Young Adult Migraine Patients

Hagler, S.E.1; OBrien, H.2; Kabbouche, M.2; Kacpierski, J.2; Hershey, A.1; Powers, S.W.3; Green, A.2

1Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA; 2Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, OH, USA; 3Headache Center and Division of Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati, OH; University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, Cincinnati, OH, USA

Results:

Riboflavin was measured in 7691 patients starting in December of 1998 (mean age 13.1 ± 3.4 years). The mean level of riboflavin was 16.6 ± 20.8 nmol/L (2-531.6) with 15.4% below the reference range and 40.9% with a level of 10 or less (the level at which we recommend supplementation).

CoQ10 was measured in 7116 patients starting in March of 2003 (mean age 13.1 ± 3.4 years). The mean level of total CoQ10 was 0.63 ± 0.26 mcg/mL (0.14-5.815) with 30.1% at or below 0.5 (lower limit of reference range) and 71.2% at or below 0.7 (the level at which we recommend supplementation).

Vitamin D was measured in 4569 patients starting in September of 2009 (mean age 13.4 ± 3.4 years). The mean level of vitamin D was 26.8 ± 10.9 ng/mL (4-95) with 88.9% at or below 40 , 68.2% at or below 30 and 3.0% at or below 10.

Folate was measured in 121 patients starting in January, 2015 (mean age 13.4 ± 2.8 years). The mean level of folate was 22.2 ± 10.6 ng/mL (3.4-79.6) with 63.6% with a level of 20 or less . When only those patients with a diagnosis of migraine with aura (n=36) were examined, the mean level was 22.6 ± 11.6.

Note: This does not indicate if increasing any of them would reduce Migraine headaches

Note: It did not mention Magnesium nor Omega-3

A form of CoQ10 reduced both the number and severity of migraine headaches- RCT Aug 2018

The effect of Coenzyme Q10 supplementation on serum levels of lactate, pyruvate, matrix metalloproteinase 9 and nitric oxide in women with migraine. A double blind, placebo, controlled randomized clinical trial 10.1016/j.eujim.2018.06.009 **---

Weekly headache 2X as likely if low vitamin D - Jan 2017

Science Daily 250 men aged 42-60, < 20 nanograms of vitamin D

Migrane Headaches reduced by Magnesium & Zinc

Migraine Headaches associated with metal excess/deficiencies (Mg, Zn) - July 2015

Compared blood levels of 25 people with migraines to 25 people without GreenMedInfo

||Metal| Migraine|No Migraine| Migraine Ratio

Cadmium| 0.36 ug|0.09 ug| 4X MORE if increase

Iron|0.97 ug|0.48 ug|2X MORE if increase

Lead|1.48 ug|0.78 ug| 2X MORE if increase

Magnesium✻|10.6 ug|34.5 ug| 3.5X* LESS *if increase

Zinc✻ |0.24 ug| 5.77 ug| 24X* LESS *if increase ||

Zinc supplementation affects favorably the frequency of migraine attacks: a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial https://doi.org/10.1186/s12937-020-00618-9 FREE PDF

{FONT(size="16")}* 📄 Download the Cadnium PDF from Vitamin D Life {FONT} 📄 Download the PDF of the study from Vitamin D Life ** Note also *1. Vitamin D increases many metals in the body

  1. Magnesium deficiency has been long noticed in people with headaches

  2. Search PubMed for headache (magnesium OR zinc) 333 items as of July 2017

  3. search Google for migraine zinc deficiency 400,000 hits as of July 2017

  4. Nutraceuticals in Migraine: A Summary of Existing Guidelines for Use March 2016

    •     includes riboflavin, coenzyme Q10,* magnesium , butterbur, feverfew, and omega-3 *1. Nutraceuticals in Acute and Prophylactic Treatment of Migraine April 2016

    •     ". . .even when incontrovertible scientific evidence exists, many physicians remain distrustful of the evidence"

    •     includes* magnesium *---

Pages listed in BOTH the categories Headache and Magnesium**

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Mg treats Migraine - Theory to Practice - March 2022

Magnesium as an Important Factor in the Pathogenesis and Treatment of Migraine—From Theory to Practice

📄 Download the PDF from Vitamin D Life

12 Proven Natural Therapies to Prevent and Relieve Migraines GreenMedInfo Feb 2019

  • Magnesium is #1 listed

  • "The World Health Organization in 2007 estimated that migraine headaches are responsible for more lost years of healthy life in the U.S. than multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, ovarian cancer, and tuberculosis combined."

  • "A meta-analysis of 21 studies found intravenous magnesium significantly relieved acute migraine within as little as 15 to 45 minutes. Oral magnesium also significantly alleviated the frequency and intensity of migraine."

Migraines, riboflavin, CoQ10 , Vitamin D, and Magnesium - Mercola Sept 2016

The Vitamin Deficiency That Can Cause Migraines Mercola

  • "Migraines are responsible for at least $20 billion each year in medical costs and lost work productivity."

  • "Researchers took baseline levels of riboflavin, vitamin D, folate and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10). A high percentage of the children, teens and young adults had mild CoQ10, vitamin D and riboflavin deficiencies.14

  • "Interestingly, they found young women and girls were more likely to experience a CoQ10 deficiency and boys were more likely to suffer from vitamin D deficiency. "

  • "The Association of Migraine Disorders recommends trying magnesium supplementation for at least three months to experience results. They also discuss supplementation with riboflavin and CoQ10."

  • Green light makes Migraines worse, blue light reduces them

  • Includes a video interview with transcript

Migranes and low Magnesium - Mercola Jan 2019

Magnesium Is Empirically Recommended for All Migraine Sufferers

Click on the above link to get hyperlinks and references

According to some statistics,10 migraine is the third most prevalent illness in the world, affecting an estimated 1 billion people. Migraine attacks are typically recurring, of moderate to severe intensity, many times occurring only on one side of your head.

Along with throbbing, piercing or "burning" pain, other common symptoms include nausea, visual disturbances, dizziness, numbness in your extremities or face, and extreme sensitivity to light, sound, smell and touch.11,12 While the root cause for migraines continues to be debated, certain nutritional deficiencies have been found to exacerbate the condition, and magnesium deficiency13,14,15 ranks high on this list, as does vitamin D deficiency.16,17

Research shows migraine sufferers are more likely to suffer from magnesium deficiency than non-migraineurs,18 and since magnesium administration is both easy and safe, researchers have noted that empiric treatment with a magnesium supplement is justified for all migraine sufferers.19

In one placebo-controlled study, 20 daily intake of 600 milligrams of magnesium in the form of trimagnesium dicitrate for 12 weeks reduced the frequency of migraine attacks by nearly 42 percent, compared to less than 16 percent in the control group.

In many cases, receiving a high dose of magnesium can also abort an attack in progress. The most effective way to administer magnesium for migraine would be to get an intravenous (IV) infusion. Barring that option, magnesium threonate may be your best option for an oral supplement. It has superior absorbability compared to other forms of magnesium, and its superior ability to cross the blood-brain barrier makes it more likely to have a beneficial effect on your brain.

Magnesium, Vit D, some Vitamin Bs, etc reduce Migraine Headaches - March 2018

The role of nutrients in the pathogenesis and treatment of migraine headaches: Review.

Biomed Pharmacother. 2018 Mar 20;102:317-325. doi: 10.1016/j.biopha.2018.03.059. [Epub ahead of print]

Nattagh-Eshtivani E1, Sani MA2, Dahri M3, Ghalichi F4, Ghavami A5, Arjang P4, Tarighat-Esfanjani A6.

OBJECTIVE:

Migraine as a disabling neurovascular disease affects 6% of men and 18% of women worldwide.

The deficiency of many nutrients including magnesium, niacin, riboflavin, cobalamin, coenzymes Q10, carnitine, α-lipoic acid and vitamin D is associated with migraine. Some researchers postulate that mitochondrial dysfunction and impaired antioxidant status can cause migraine. Also increase in homocysteine level can lead to migraine attacks; therefore, some Nutraceuticals play a vital role in migraine prevention. Thus, the aim of the current study was to review randomized controlled trials (RCT) assessing the effect of nutritional supplements on migraine patients.

METHODS: English articles in the following databases were searched: MEDLINE, AMED, EMBASE and Cochrane Library. In this manuscript, RCTs published during 1990-2017 were reviewed.

RESULTS: Evidences indicate that supplementation with magnesium, carnitine, riboflavin, niacin, CoQ10, vitamin D, Vitamin B12 and alpha lipoic acid have prophylactic and therapeutic effects on migraine patients.

CONCLUSION: Due to the possible side effects of pharmacological drugs and drug addictions, the use of nutrient compounds alone or in combination with routine cures have been proposed. However, further constructive studies are required.

📄 Download the PDF from Sci-Hub via Vitamin D Life

Migraine and Magnesium update 2019

Headache - Omega-3

Omega-3 helped reduced the # of migranes per month 80% vs 33% - RCT Jan 2017

Omega-3 diet (with reduced Omega-6) substantially reduced Migraine headaches - July 2021

Dietary alteration of n-3 and n-6 fatty acids for headache reduction in adults with migraine

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chart by Grassrootshealth

📄 Download the PDF from Vitamin D Life

Headache - Vitamin D Receptor

Poor Vitamin D Receptors (less D in brain cells) may increase risk of Cluster headaches - Sept 2021

VDR Gene Polymorphisms and Cluster Headache Susceptibility: Case–Control Study in a Southeastern European Caucasian Population

Journal of Molecular Neuroscience (2021)https://doi.org/10.1007/s12031-021-01892-w $40 paywall

Maria Papasavva, Michail Vikelis, Vasileios Siokas, Martha-Spyridoula Katsarou, Emmanouil Dermitzakis, Athanasios Raptis, Efthimios Dardiotis & Nikolaos Drakoulis

Cluster headache (CH) is a severe primary headache disorder with a genetic component, as indicated by family and twin studies. Diurnal and seasonal rhythmicity are key features of the disease and might be related to vitamin D, as low vitamin D levels have been observed in patients with cluster headache. In addition, the vitamin D receptor (VDR) occurs in brain areas and particularly in the hypothalamus. The aim of the present case–control study was to investigate the association of cluster headache susceptibility and clinical phenotypes with the VDR gene polymorphisms FokI, BsmI and TaqI in a Southeastern European Caucasian population. DNA was extracted from 131 unrelated CH patients and 282 non-headache controls and genotyped using real-time PCR (melting curve analysis). Linkage disequilibrium (LD) analysis confirmed that BsmI and TaqI, both located in the 3′UTR of the VDR gene, are in strong LD. Genotype and allele frequency distribution analysis of the VDR FokI, BsmI, and TaqI polymorphisms showed no statistically significant difference between cases and controls, whereas haplotype analysis indicated that the TAC haplotype might be associated with decreased cluster headache susceptibility. Intra-patient analysis according to diverse clinical phenotypes showed an association of the BsmI GG and TaqI TT genotypes with more frequent occurrence of CH attacks in this cohort. Therefore, a possible association was observed between VDR gene polymorphisms BsmI and TaqI or a linked locus and susceptibility for cluster headache development and altered clinical phenotypes in the Southeastern European Caucasian study population. Further large-scale replication studies are needed to validate these findings.

Cluster Headache - no assocation with Vitamin D Receptor - meta-analysis March 2023

Investigating Vitamin D Receptor Genetic Markers in a Cluster Headache Meta-Analysis

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(6), 5950; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24065950

by Felicia Jennysdotter Olofsgård 1ORCID,Caroline Ran 1ORCID,Yuyan Qin 1,Carmen Fourier 1,Christina Sjöstrand 2,3,Elisabet Waldenlind 2,4,Anna Steinberg 2,4 andAndrea Carmine Belin 1,*ORCID

Patients diagnosed with the primary headache disorder known as cluster headache (CH) commonly report that their headache attacks occur in patterns of both circadian and seasonal rhythmicity. Vitamin D is essential for a variety of bodily functions and vitamin D levels are largely regulated by daylight exposure in connection with seasonal variation. For this Sweden-based study, the association between CH and three single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the vitamin D receptor gene, rs2228570, rs1544410, and rs731236, were investigated, as well as CH bouts and trigger factors in relation to seasonal and weather changes. Over 600 study participants with CH and 600 controls were genotyped for rs2228570, and genotyping results for rs1544410 and rs731236 were obtained from a previous genome-wide association study. The genotyping results were combined in a meta-analysis, with data from a Greek study. No significant association was found between rs2228570 and CH or the CH subtype in Sweden, nor did the meta-analysis show significant results for any of the three markers. The most common period of the year to experience CH bouts in Sweden was autumn, and conditions linked to weather or weather changes were also identified as potential triggers for CH bouts for a quarter of the responders who reported bout triggers. Though we cannot rule out vitamin D involvement in CH, this study does not indicate any connection between CH and the three vitamin D receptor gene markers.

📄 Download the PDF from Vitamin D Life

Headache - other

New, very costly Migraine drugs getting better (nothing about vitamin D) - Dec 2018

**New drugs, decades in the making, are providing relief for migraines Washington Post

  • "... affects 10 percent of the world population and 29.5 million Americans, the majority of them women, often during the prime years of career and parenthood."

  • "...monthly injections of erenumab-aooe (* Aimovig *), one of the three new drugs targeting the pain transmitting signal, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) or its receptor. Monoclonal antibodies, such as the one in her medication, work by blocking CGRP, the chemical involved in migraine."

  • ".... costing about $7,000 a year" - unsure about insurance coverage

Migraine and tension-type headache Global Burden of Disease Study - 2018

{FONT(size="14")}* 📄 Download the PDF from Vitamin D Life {FONT} Wonder if the Cluster Headache treatment might benefit Migraine and Tension-type headaches *---

Just 2,000 IU of vitamin D added to Simvastin reduced by 9 days the # of migrane headaches days - Sept 2015* Simvastatin and Vitamin D for Migraine Prevention: A Randomized Controlled Trial *Annals of Neurology, DOI: 10.1002/ana.24534

Catherine Buettner MD, MPH1,*, Rony-Reuven Nir PhD, BSc2, Suzanne M. Bertisch MD, MPH1, Carolyn Bernstein MD3, Aaron Schain PhD3, Murray A. Mittleman MD, DrPH4 andRami Burstein PhD3

Objective: To assess efficacy and tolerability of simvastatin plus vitamin D for migraine prevention in adults with episodic migraine.

Methods: We performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with a 12-week baseline period and 24-week intervention period in 57 adults with episodic migraine. Participants were randomly assigned to simvastatin 20 mg tablets twice daily plus vitamin D3 1000 international units capsules twice daily or matching placebo tablets and capsules.

Results: Compared to placebo, participants using simvastatin plus vitamin D3 demonstrated a greater decrease in number of migraine days from the baseline period to intervention weeks 1-12: a change of -8.0 (IQR: -15.0 to -2.0) days in the active treatment group versus +1.0 (IQR: 1.0 to +6.0) days in the placebo group, P<0.001; and to intervention weeks 13-24: a change of -9.0 (IQR: -13 to -5) days in the active group versus +3.0 (IQR: -1.0 to +5.0) days in the placebo group, P<0.001.

In the active treatment group,

  • 8 patients (25%) experienced 50% reduction in the number of migraine days at 12 weeks and

  • 9 (29%) at 24 weeks post randomization.

In comparison, only 1 patient (3%) in the placebo group (p=0.03) experienced such reduction. Adverse events were similar in both active treatment and placebo groups.

Interpretation: The results demonstrate that simvastatin plus vitamin D is effective for prevention of headache in adults with episodic migraine. Given statins ability to repair endothelial dysfunction, this economical approach may also reduce the increased risk for vascular diseases among migraineurs.

Wall St Journal reviewed the study Dec 14, 2015* See also Vitamin D Life ** Statins and Vitamin D - many studies

  • "Simvastatin/Ezetimibe 10/10 mg increased Vitamin D levels 37%"

Melatonin reduced the frequency of Migraine Headaches by 2.7 times - May 2016 (nothing about vitamin D)

  • 3 mg of Melatonin Greenmedinfo

    • "Melatonin was superior to amitriptyline in the percentage of patients with a greater than 50% reduction in migraine frequency."

    • "Melatonin 3 mg is better than placebo for migraine prevention, more tolerable than amitriptyline and as effective as amitriptyline 25 mg"

People with headaches are 2.1 X LESS likely to die of COVID-19

{FONT(size="16")}* 📄 Download the PDF from Vitamin D Life *{FONT} 171 countries

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Headaches are associated with: Magnesium 10, Intervention 5, Multiple Sclerosis 4, Depression 3, Parkinson 3, Youth 3, Optimum 3, Zinc 3** Feb 2024__

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