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
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