Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin B2
For the health condition: Migraine
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 4
Vitamin B2, also known as riboflavin, has scientific support for use in migraine prevention. Several clinical studies, including double-blind, placebo-controlled trials, have demonstrated that high-dose riboflavin supplementation (typically 400 mg daily) can reduce the frequency and duration of migraine attacks in adults. The proposed mechanism involves riboflavin’s essential role in mitochondrial energy production. Many migraine sufferers exhibit impaired mitochondrial function, which may contribute to the pathophysiology of migraines. By enhancing mitochondrial efficiency, riboflavin is thought to help stabilize neuronal energy metabolism and reduce migraine susceptibility.
A meta-analysis published in 2017 in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics reviewed several randomized clinical trials and found that riboflavin was significantly superior to placebo in reducing migraine frequency. The American Academy of Neurology and the American Headache Society consider riboflavin “probably effective” for migraine prevention in adults, assigning it a Level B recommendation.
While the evidence is less robust in pediatric populations, some smaller studies suggest a potential benefit with a favorable safety profile. Riboflavin is generally well tolerated, with mild side effects such as urine discoloration. Overall, the scientific evidence supports the use of vitamin B2 as a preventive therapy for migraines, particularly for adults seeking non-pharmacologic treatment options.
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
Other health conditions supported by Vitamin B2
AnemiaCataracts
Dermatitis
Fatigue
Headache (general)
Inflammation
Migraine
Skin (dry and/or flaky)