Migraine headaches are not a new phenomenon. The symptoms commonly linked to migraines have been referenced in texts going back as for as the ancient greeks. Before modern medicine the symptoms of headache and especially migraines have been tackled with extracts found in nature. As science has progressed so has our understanding of the physiological processes that allow some of these supplements to work (or not work).
Modern medicine has also created new synthetic supplements to address real dietary deficiencies that many people struggle with. These supplementary vitamins and minerals along with herbal supplements make up a palette of treatment options that may be cheaper, safer, and one hopes more effective than prescription drugs.
In this article we will explore some of the more commonly referenced supplements for the treatment of migraine headaches. We will also discuss some of the research supporting or refuting their effectiveness. Finally, we’ll look at suppliers that provide versions of the supplements that match closely with the formats found in positive medical studies.
Feverfew
Feverfew is a flowering plant in the daisy family that is native to Eastern Europe, though can be found in the Americas, all of Europe, and even Australia. This herbal remedy has been in use as an anti-inflammatory since the 1st century in Greece. It has been used more recently for the treatment of headaches, arthritis, and digestive issues. It has also recently been investigated as a treatment for dermatitis.
The main active ingredient in feverfew is parthenolide which has been studied for a variety of uses. In its traditional form this ingredient is not very bioavailable. Scientists have been investigating synthetic variations to improve the effectiveness at lower doses.
As with many headache treatments, when taken for extended periods and then discontinued feverfew has a risk of withdrawal manifesting as rebound headaches and muscle and joint pains.
The effectiveness of feverfew is up for debate and appears to be highly dependent on the particular formulation or brand. Many studies that have shown some effectiveness at treating migraines have used a combination of supplements of which feverfew was only one. When looking at feverfew formulations you should pay attention to the quantity of parthenolides. Studies have shown wide variations in parthenolides across feverfew products so focus on products with specific parthenolide values on the label. Nature’s Way Feverfew Standardized Extract is an example of a well labeled feverfew supplement.
Recently some migraine sufferers have seen good results from a combination of feverfew and ginger. LipiGesic M by PuraMed BioScience has been shown to effectively treat a migraine in ~60% of patients, however PuraMed BioScience appears to be out of business and LipiGesic no longer manufactured.
Butterbur
Butterbur is a plant in the sunflower family. It can be found in Asia, Europe and North America, preferring damp environments. For over 2000 years butterbur has been used for medicinal purposes. More recently it has been used as a treatment for migraine headaches and hay fever, uses that have the most evidence of effectiveness.
Petasin is the key ingredient in the butterbur plant responsible for its medicinal properties. A number of double-blind studies have shown that butterbur extracts containing petasin are effective at treating migraine.
It is notable that butterbur extracts naturally contain components known to be damaging to the liver and cancer causing. Because of this risk butterbur is not recommended for pregnant of breastfeeding women. In practice, the risks are low if you use a supplement from a reputable source. One of the most commonly referred formulation is Petadolex which uses a filtration process to remove most of these harmful pyrrolizidine alkaloids from the final product.
Magnesium
Magnesium is an elemental metal and micronutrient. Humans require a regular intake of magnesium for normal body functions, and most are able to achieve the recommended levels through foods such as nuts, cereals, and some vegetables. Up to 15% of the population is deficient, however, and can benefit from supplementation.
Medical uses of magnesium, beyond treating deficiency, is primarily for the management of (pre-)eclampsia, and to a lesser extent migraines and restless legs syndrome. It is believed that increasing magnesium in the body can help manage elevated inflammation indicators.
Magnesium’s role in migraines is unclear, however there is evidence that migraine sufferers tend to show lower magnesium levels. In a small 1996 study it was shown that magnesium supplementation used as prophylactic treatment of migraine was effective at reducing the migraine frequency by 41%. The recommended dosage for the treatment of migraines with magnesium is between 400 and 500mg once per day. Magnesium can give some individuals an upset stomach so taking at night before bed can help. A good option for this supplement is Nature Made High Potency Magnesium.
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
Riboflavin or vitamin B2 is a micronutrient found in many foods. In the last 25 years this vitamin has been investigated for the prophylactic treatment in migraines. In one study individuals who reduced the number of migraine days by at least 50% accounted for more than half of the study participants.
The exact reason for why riboflavin works for migraines is not well understood. Vitamin supplements like this most directly treat specific deficiencies in the body which is sometimes attributed to migraines. Riboflavin is also know to mediate certain metabolic processes which has been linked to migraine as well.
As a supplement riboflavin is usually tolerated well, however in some people it causes diarrhea and stomach upset. Fortunately riboflavin’s bioavailability is improved when taken with food, which can also help with stomach upset.
The studies found that high doses of B2 were required to see any results with migraine patients. A supplement like BioTech Pharmacal’s B2 400mg matches with the dosing in many of the studies which yielded good results.
Coenzyme Q-10 (CoQ-10)
CoQ-10 is a chemical used in the production of ATP. It’s effect on the body is often compared to that of riboflavin. It can be found in food sources like meat, fish, and whole grains. Most people can get enough CoQ-10 through a balanced diet, but some may benefit from supplementation.
CoQ-10 has been shown to reduce the duration of migraines for some individuals by a significant amount. A separate study showed a reduction in frequency, duration, and days with nausea. Generally the supplement was well tolerated, though possible side effects include stomach upset. Since CoQ-10 has a low bioavailability patients should look for formulations that focus on mitigating that, sich as Doctor’s Best High Absorption Coq10 with Bioperine Supplement, 200mg.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is found in limited amounts in food but more commonly produced in the skin when exposed to the sun. Vitamin D deficiency is a growing problem that impacts people living at higher latitudes or who get limited daylight exposure. Vitamin D foritification in milk, orange juice, and other foods is common, though further supplementation is sometimes necessary.
Vitamin D plays a role in managing inflammation in the body. Those suffering from a deficiency can find pain killers less effective among many other symptoms. Supplementation can help. Migraine sufferers who are deficient in Vitamin D can find some relief or improve responsiveness to drugs treating pain.
We suggest talking to your doctor before starting heavy supplementation. A good provider of Vitamin D is Doctor’s Best Vitamin D3 5000IU.
Melatonin
Melatonin is a hormone produced in the body to regulate sleep. It is commonly used to help with insomnia as well as jet lag and can improve the quality of sleep without extended after effects.
A 2016 study on the effectiveness of melatonin for treating migraines found an improvement of migraine frequency for some patients when compared to both a placebo and amitriptyline (an antidepressant sometimes prescribed to manage migraines). Melatonin has few side effects for most people. When taken within an hour of bedtime melatonin can also improve sleep quality.
The 2016 study used a 3mg melatonin dosage which you can find in Nature Made Melatonin Tablets.
Summary
These are just a few of the more popular non-pharmaceutical supplements that migraineurs are referred to. It is alway important to understand with treatments like these and migraines in general that every person is different and what may work well for one person may not work, or make things worse, for another. Always talk to your doctor before trying out a new treatment strategy. If you are struggling to make progress with your treatment try and find a neurologist who specializes in headaches or migraines.