Evidence supporting the use of: Beta-hydroxybutyrate
For the health condition: Migraine

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Synopsis

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

Beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) is a ketone body produced during states of low carbohydrate intake, fasting, or ketogenic diets. Its use in migraine management has emerged from scientific investigation rather than traditional medicine. The rationale is based on the observation that migraines are associated with altered brain energy metabolism and mitochondrial dysfunction. BHB serves as an alternative energy substrate for the brain, potentially bypassing these metabolic deficits.

Several small studies and case reports have explored exogenous ketone supplements, such as BHB salts or esters, for migraine prevention. A few pilot trials and open-label studies have suggested a reduction in migraine frequency and severity with ketogenic diets or exogenous BHB, but the sample sizes have been small, and studies are often uncontrolled or preliminary. For example, a 2021 open-label study (Di Lorenzo et al.) indicated that a ketogenic diet, which increases endogenous BHB, reduced migraine days in chronic migraine patients. However, direct evidence from randomized controlled trials using exogenous BHB for migraine is limited.

Thus, while the scientific rationale is plausible and supported by preliminary findings, robust clinical evidence is lacking. The current level of evidence for BHB’s use in migraine is weak to moderate (rated 2/5), and more high-quality, controlled studies are needed to confirm efficacy and safety.

More about Beta-hydroxybutyrate
More about Migraine

Other ingredients used for Migraine

5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
ashwagandha
bergamot
beta caryophyllene
black tea
Indian frankincense
bupleurum falcatum
Chinese salvia root
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
turmeric
curcumin
DHA (docosahexaeonic acid)
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
feverfew
fish oil
ginger
ginkgo biloba
gooseberry
gotu kola
kudzu
l-5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine salt (5-MTHF)
lavender
luteolin
magnesium
melatonin
moringa
niacin (vitamin B3)
omega-3 fatty acids
Peppermint
phytocannabinoids
pine bark
purple butterbur root
riboflavin (vitamin B2)
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
Almond fruit
ubiquinol
valerian root
vitamin B6
vitamin D
vitamin D3
vitamin E
zinc
atractylodes
blackboard tree
swertia
Szechuan lovage
chrysanthemum
soursop
1,3,7-Trimethylpurine-2,6-dione
5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine
Apple Cider Vinegar
Albizia
Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Atractylone
Betony
Black Seed
Baikal Skullcap
Beta-hydroxybutyrate
Blepharis
Balsam
Banyan
Brahmi
Butterbur
Bifidobacteria
Black Hellebore
Chinese Silkvine
Crocin
Creatine
Cannabidiol
Corydalis
Carthamus
cola nut
Docosahexaenoic Acid
Danshen
Eicosapentaenoic Acid
Folic Acid
Flavin mononucleotide
Ficus religiosa
Fish
Flavanones
Ficus simplicissima
Frankincense
Goldthread
Gelsemium
Ginkgolides
Ginkgoside
Hellebore
iridoids
Ketone Salts
Kuding tea
lemon balm
Lesser speargrass
Little ironweed
Linalool
Mesua
Methylxanthine
Meadowsweet
Nardostachys
Night jessamine
Osthole
Puerarin
Petasines
Phthalides
Paeoniflorin
Pycnogenol
Polygonum
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)
Rue
Rubus
Rauvolfia
Rubiaceae
Spikenard
Sensitive Plant
Salmon Oil
Sandalwood
Scabrous Gentian
Uncaria
Withanolides
Xanthine
Xanthophyll
Xanthone
Yuzu
Zingerone

Products containing Beta-hydroxybutyrate

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