Migraine and Omega-3 fatty acids

November 26, 2008

Migraines may be helped by omega-3 fatty acids, a supplement that has gained well deserved popularity. Several recent studies suggesting benefits for the cardiovascular system prompted me to look at the headache literature. An article in Cephalalgia in 2001 by Pradalier and his colleagues concluded that this supplement is ineffective, at least when they looked at the number of headaches in the last 4 weeks of treatment. However, the active treatment with 6 grams of omega-3 fatty acids was significantly better than placebo when they looked at the total number of attacks during the entire 4 months of treatment.  Taking into account this finding and considering that omega-3 fatty acids have other benefits while being very safe, it is worth trying to take daily 6 grams of omega-3 fatty acids if you suffer from migraine headaches.

Written by
Alexander Mauskop, MD
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