Evidence supporting the use of: Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
For the health condition: Migraine

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), an omega-3 fatty acid primarily found in plant sources such as flaxseed, chia seeds, and walnuts, has garnered some scientific interest for its potential role in migraine management. The rationale stems from the broader understanding that omega-3 fatty acids possess anti-inflammatory properties. Since neurogenic inflammation is thought to contribute to migraine pathophysiology, researchers have hypothesized that increasing dietary intake of omega-3s like ALA could modulate inflammatory mediators and potentially reduce migraine frequency or severity.

A limited number of clinical studies have explored the effects of omega-3 supplementation (including ALA, but more often EPA and DHA) on migraine. Some small randomized controlled trials and observational studies suggest that omega-3s may offer modest benefits in reducing headache frequency, duration, or intensity. However, most of these studies use fish oil-derived EPA and DHA, not ALA specifically. Evidence directly linking ALA to migraine improvement is sparse, and the available trials tend to be small and methodologically limited. A 2021 randomized controlled trial found that higher omega-3 intake (EPA/DHA) reduced headache frequency and severity, but did not specifically isolate the effects of ALA.

In summary, while there is some scientific rationale and preliminary evidence suggesting that omega-3 fatty acids could play a role in migraine management, the evidence for ALA itself is limited. More robust, well-designed clinical trials are needed to establish its efficacy and optimal dosing for migraine prevention or treatment.

More about alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
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Other ingredients used for Migraine

1,3,7-Trimethylpurine-2,6-dione
5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)
5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine
Albizia
Almond fruit
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
alpha-lipoic acid
apple cider vinegar
ashwagandha
atractylodes
atractylone
Baikal Skullcap
balsam
banyan
bergamot
beta caryophyllene
beta-hydroxybutyrate
betony
Bifidobacteria
Black Hellebore
black seed
black tea
blackboard tree
Blepharis
brahmi
bupleurum falcatum
butterbur
cannabidiol
Carthamus
Chinese salvia root
Chinese silkvine
chrysanthemum
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
cola nut
Corydalis
creatine
crocin
curcumin
danshen
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
docosahexaenoic Acid
eicosapentaenoic acid
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
feverfew
Ficus religiosa
Ficus simplicissima
fish
fish oil
flavanones
flavin mononucleotide
folic acid
frankincense
Gelsemium
ginger
ginkgo biloba
ginkgolides
Ginkgoside
goldthread
gooseberry
gotu kola
Hellebore
Indian frankincense
iridoids
ketone salts
kuding tea
kudzu
l-5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine salt (5-MTHF)
lavender
lemon balm
Lesser speargrass
linalool
little ironweed
luteolin
magnesium
Meadowsweet
Melatonin
Mesua
Methylxanthine
Moringa
Nardostachys
Niacin (vitamin B3)
Night jessamine
omega-3 fatty acids
Osthole
paeoniflorin
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)
Peppermint
Petasines
Phthalides
phytocannabinoids
pine bark
Polygonum
Puerarin
purple butterbur root
Pycnogenol
Rauvolfia
riboflavin (vitamin B2)
Rubiaceae
Rubus
rue
Salmon Oil
Sandalwood
Scabrous Gentian
Sensitive Plant
soursop
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
Spikenard
Swertia
Szechuan lovage
turmeric
ubiquinol
Uncaria
Valerian root
vitamin B6
vitamin D
vitamin D3
vitamin E
Withanolides
Xanthine
Xanthone
Xanthophyll
Yuzu
Zinc
Zingerone