Evidence supporting the use of: Alpha-lipoic acid
For the health condition: Migraine

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Synopsis

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

Alpha-Lipoic Acid (ALA) is an antioxidant that has been studied for a variety of neurological and metabolic conditions. Regarding migraines, there is some emerging scientific evidence suggesting a potential benefit, though the data are still limited and not robust enough for strong clinical recommendations. A few small randomized controlled trials have evaluated the efficacy of ALA in migraine prophylaxis. For example, a double-blind, placebo-controlled study published in 2007 found that supplementation with ALA (600 mg/day) for three months significantly reduced the frequency and severity of migraine attacks compared to placebo. Another trial indicated that ALA could improve endothelial function, which is thought to play a role in migraine pathophysiology.

The suggested mechanisms include ALA’s antioxidant properties, improvement of mitochondrial function, and enhancement of nitric oxide-mediated vasodilation, all of which may be relevant since oxidative stress and vascular dysfunction are implicated in migraine pathogenesis. However, these studies are generally small in size and of short duration, and larger, more rigorous trials are needed to confirm these findings.

In summary, while there is some scientific evidence supporting the use of Alpha-Lipoic Acid for migraine prevention, it is preliminary, and ALA should not be considered a first-line therapy. The strength of evidence is moderate at best, justifying a rating of 2 on a 0-5 scale.

More about alpha-lipoic acid
More about Migraine

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

Products containing alpha-lipoic acid

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.