Nutraceuticals to Consider for Chronic Migraine

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According to the World Health Organization (WHO), headache disorders are “underestimated, under-recognized, and under-treated throughout the world.” WHO reports that globally about 40 percent of the population has a headache disorder such as chronic migraine. A recent paper in JAMA Insights reminds us that “migraine is the most common neurologic disease and the second-most disabling condition worldwide.”

WHO explains that a migraine is characterized by a moderate to severe headache that is pulsating either on one side of the head or behind the eye that can include nausea and sensitivity to light and sounds. It is estimated that about 25 percent of people who get migraines experience some type of visual, sensory, or other neurologic symptoms such as motor weakness or language disturbances before the attack. The attack can last hours or even days, which is why they can become so debilitating and negatively affect quality of life.

An Integrative Approach

An integrative approach to treating chronic migraines includes nutraceuticals to help with both prevention and treatment of attacks. A paper published last year in Practical Neurology highlights four nutraceuticals and concluded:

  • The herb butterbur may reduce migraine frequency
  • CoQ10 appears to reduce headache frequency and duration
  • Vitamin D may help reduce headache frequency
  • More research is needed to confirm curcumin’s efficacy regarding headache treatment

The herb butterbur, which comes from the Petasites hybridus plant, is perhaps the most widely studied natural substance for migraine. In fact, The American Headache Society and the American Academy of Neurology concluded in 2012 that “butterbur demonstrates effectiveness for migraine prevention and is a valid option for patients with migraine to reduce both the severity and frequency of migraine attacks.”

In addition to the American Headache Society level A recommendation of butterbur for migraines, the Canadian Headache Society also recommends butterbur for the prevention of migraines.

A 2024 review of five clinical studies found that butterbur was not only well-tolerated by both children and adults, it also reduced the number of headache days by ≥ 50 precent in the first three months of use.

The authors of a 2022 review concluded, “in randomized, double-blinded and placebo-controlled trials with Petadolex [a popular butterbur supplement] migraine attack frequency was reduced significantly at 150 milligram (mg)/day, and no relevant abnormal liver function was reported.”

Previous research indicates that butterbur can effectively and safely prevent migraines in children as well.

Correcting nutrient deficiencies may also be an important integrative strategy when it comes to preventing migraines. According to a 2018 paper, migraines are associated with a variety of nutrient deficiencies including magnesium, niacin, riboflavin, cobalamin, coenzyme Q10, carnitine, alpha lipoic acid, and vitamin D.

Managing migraines is a massive issue with estimates indicating that one in sever American adults suffer adding up to 1.2 million visits to the emergency department and an economic cost of $36 billion a year. A nutraceutical approach to migraine prevention and treatment may help ease the burden of this prevalent condition.