The Simple Guide to Migraine Supplements

Medication isn’t the only answer to the problem of migraine pain. Many people also use supplements to prevent or relieve migraine symptoms — but do they really work?

Buy CEFALY Today

Which supplements are most commonly used to relieve or prevent migraine?

Research studies have shown that the following dietary supplements and herbs have been shown to have some benefit for migraine.

Magnesium

Magnesium is a mineral with many crucial functions in the body. People with migraines often have lower levels of magnesium, compared to the general public. Magnesium deficiency is also associated with cortical spreading depression (CSD), a wave of altered brain activity that’s thought to be linked with migraine aura.[iv]

The most common magnesium supplement for migraine is magnesium citrate, but magnesium glycinate may be better if you experience stomach upset. Talk to your healthcare provider before taking it, because magnesium can interact with certain medication and health conditions.[v]

Some people apply a liquid form (often called magnesium oil) to their skin. However, Dr. Kuruvilla said at the 2021 Migraine World Summit that “magnesium in oil form does not have enough evidence to back it up to specifically use on muscles and in people with migraine.”

Vitamin B-2/Riboflavin

Riboflavin, also known as B-2, may help reduce the frequency of migraine headache attacks by about 2 attacks per month, according to the National Institutes of Health. Taking riboflavin along with other vitamins and minerals may also reduce migraine pain.[vi]

Riboflavin is generally safe and well-tolerated, although it may interact with some medications.[vii] Ask your healthcare provider about the right dosage; the amount of riboflavin in a standard multivitamin is too low.[viii]

Coenzyme Q10

Also called ubiquinone, CoQ10 is an enzyme that naturally occurs in the body. One small study found that migraine patients who took 100 mg of CoQ10 three times a day had fewer attacks in three months than those who took a placebo. The participants taking CoQ10 also had fewer days with headache and fewer days with nausea.[ix]

Ginger: Many people rely on ginger to help with migraine symptoms. To date, a few small studies have suggested that ginger can be effective in helping relieve migraine pain, either on its own or when combined with medications.[x] [xi] Ginger’s value as a migraine supplement may be in addressing the nausea and vomiting experienced during a migraine attack, as clinical evidence shows that ginger is effective, inexpensive and safe.[xii]

Feverfew

Parthenolide, the active ingredient in feverfew, “may prevent migraine through its vascular smooth muscle relaxation and anti‐inflammatory properties,” Dr. Kuruvilla and Dr. Rebecca Erwin Wells write.[xiii] Because it can cause uterine contractions, feverfew should not be taken if you are pregnant.

Butterbur

This shrub appears to help reduce the frequency of migraines in adults and children, according to the NIH, but some butterbur products contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) which can damage the liver. Look for butterbur labeled PA-free.[xiv]

Other supplements for migraine include:

• Turmeric, a spice with anti-inflammatory properties
• Melatonin, a hormone associated with sleep
• L-Theanine, an amino acid found naturally in tea
• Probiotics, which are beneficial microorganisms in the gut
• Vitamin D, a vitamin that’s low in many people with migraine
• Omega-3 fatty acids, which have anti-inflammatory properties

This is just a partial list. If you’re interested in trying supplements to ease migraine symptoms, talk to your healthcare provider about how to do it safely. If you’re searching for a drug-free migraine treatment, consider trying CEFALY.

Buy CEFALY Today

CEFALY is an FDA-cleared medical device, available without a prescription, that’s clinically proven to reduce migraine frequency and relieve migraine pain. Learn more and try CEFALY risk-free.