Evidence supporting the use of: Folic acid
For the health condition: Migraine
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2
Folic acid has been investigated for its potential role in migraine management, particularly for migraine with aura. The rationale is based on studies that suggest a subset of migraine sufferers have elevated homocysteine levels, which may be influenced by genetic polymorphisms (such as MTHFR mutations) affecting folate metabolism. Folic acid, often combined with vitamins B6 and B12, can lower homocysteine levels. A few small randomized controlled trials, including a notable study published in Pharmacogenetics and Genomics (2015), have shown that supplementation with folic acid, B6, and B12 reduced migraine frequency and severity in some patients, especially those with specific MTHFR gene variants. However, results are inconsistent, and other studies have failed to show significant benefit. Systematic reviews and guidelines do not currently recommend folic acid alone as a standard migraine treatment due to limited and mixed evidence. Thus, while there is some scientific basis—particularly for individuals with elevated homocysteine or MTHFR mutations—the overall evidence supporting folic acid for migraine prevention or treatment is modest and not universally accepted. More large-scale, high-quality trials are needed to clarify its efficacy and identify which subgroups, if any, may benefit.
Other ingredients used for Migraine
1,3,7-Trimethylpurine-2,6-dione5-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