Vitamin B and folic acid - a new and safe treatment for migraine

Feb 9 2009

A new Australian study has revealed that the occurrence and intensity of migraine may be lessened by taking vitamin B and folic acid.

The researchers from Griffith University carried out a six-month study involving 50 sufferers of chronic migraine in order to link the intake of folic acid and vitamin to the frequency and severity of the symptoms of migraine.

Professor Lyn Griffiths, director of the Genomics Research Center (GSR) at Griffith University and leader of the study says the long-term migraine sufferers were given vitamin B supplements and folic acid over a six month period and drastic improvements were seen in headache frequency, pain severity and associated disability for those treated.

This study was based on a previous research by GSR known as the MYTHFR where it was found that migraine attacks are possibly the result of a mutation or dysfunction of a certain gene which in turn causes an increase in the levels of the amino acid homocysteine.

According to Professor Griffiths this latest trial was based on the theory that vitamin B supplements and folic acid reduce homocysteine and in turn, improve migraine symptoms.

Migraine can be very disabling as it causes severe headache and other symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, and heightened sensitivity to light, sound and smell - millions worldwide suffer from the condition and attack can last from four to 72 hours, and can occur at least once a month.

The symptoms of migraines are usually treated with powerful analgesics such as codeine but powerful drugs such as anti-depressants and anti-hypertensive drugs are also used as preventive treatments.

Professor Griffiths says current treatments for migraine are not always effective and can be expensive and cause adverse effects and their study offers migraine sufferers a safe and inexpensive alternative treatment.

The researchers say more research with a larger population is now needed in order to come up with the correct dosage for the supplements and they are planning a more extensive trial and further studies to find out the best dosage of the vitamin supplements for individuals as this may vary depending on a patient's genetic profile.

Experts say around 12% of Australians suffer from migraines.