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Added: 10/28/2009
Supplements of vitamins B-6 and B-12 and folic acid may reduce the frequency, severity and disability of migraines, according to new research from Australia. Daily vitamin supplements were found to produce a two-fold reduction in migraine disability, according to scientists from the Genomics Research Center (GRC) at Griffith University in Brisbane.
Previous studies by GRC identified a gene, known as MTHFR (methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase), which reportedly makes people susceptible to migraine attacks when there is a mutation or dysfunction in the gene (C677T). The dysfunction leads to higher levels of the amino acid homocysteine, already linked to increased risk of stroke and other coronary diseases.
"These results provided compelling evidence that lowering plasma homocysteine levels via folic acid coupled with B-6 and B-12 vitamin supplementation improved health-related productivity and therefore quality of life for these patients," wrote the researchers, led by Professor Lyn Griffiths.
According to findings, to be published in an upcoming issue of Pharmacogenetics and Genomics, the GRC scientists recruited 52 people diagnosed with migraine with aura. The participants were randomly assigned to receive either vitamin supplements providing a daily dose of 2 mg of folic acid, 25 mg of vitamin B-6 and 400 mcg of B-12 or placebo for six months.
Results showed a reduction in homocysteine levels by 39%, compared to baseline, and statistically significant compared to placebo. Furthermore, the supplements were associated with a reduction in the prevalence of migraine disability from 60% at the start of the study to 30% after six months. No reduction was observed in the placebo group, said the researchers.
Reductions in the frequency of the headache and the severity of the pain were also observed in people in the B-vitamin group, while no such changes were observed in the placebo group.
"The success of our trial—supported by the Brain Foundation, Janssens and Blackmores—has shown that safe, inexpensive vitamin supplements can treat migraine patients," said Prof. Griffiths.
Pharmacogenetics and Genomics Released before publication.
