Probiotics could be one of the most effective supplements for preventing migraines, according to Chinese researchers who reviewed 14 clinical trials involving 791 people. The findings were published in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition.
The researchers compared the effects of various supplements, including magnesium, vitamins, coenzyme Q10, probiotics and combinations of these. Probiotics produced the strongest reduction in attack frequency, cutting migraines by an average of 2.6 attacks per month compared with a placebo. Coenzyme Q10, vitamin complexes, and a combination of vitamins with probiotics also showed good results.
Magnesium and pain intensity
Magnesium was the only supplement that reliably reduced the intensity of headaches, lowering attack severity by an average of 3.6 points on a ten-point scale. None of the supplements studied were shown to convincingly shorten the duration of migraine attacks.
The authors also found that the longer a person took the supplements, the more noticeably attack frequency declined. However, the scientists cautioned that current evidence is not yet sufficient to name any single supplement a clear leader.
Earlier research found that following a Mediterranean diet reduces the risk of developing chronic migraine.
