Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin B3 (nicotinamide)
For the health condition: Migraine

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Synopsis

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

Nicotinamide (a form of Vitamin B3) has some scientific evidence supporting its use for migraine, although the quality and quantity of this evidence is limited. Some small clinical studies and case reports have suggested that Vitamin B3, particularly in the form of nicotinamide or niacin, may help reduce the frequency or severity of migraine attacks. The proposed mechanisms involve vasodilation (widening of blood vessels), modulation of brain energy metabolism, and neuroprotective effects. For example, niacin has been noted anecdotally to abort migraine attacks in some individuals, possibly due to its ability to induce vasodilation. However, most studies are old, small-scale, or lack rigorous controls, and there is no consensus in the neurology community regarding its efficacy. A few pilot studies have indicated that nicotinamide might be beneficial in migraine prevention, but larger, well-designed randomized controlled trials are lacking. Current migraine treatment guidelines do not recommend Vitamin B3 as a standard therapy, and its use is generally considered experimental. While it is sometimes used off-label by integrative or alternative medicine practitioners, this is not based on robust clinical evidence. In summary, while there is a scientific rationale and some preliminary data, the evidence base is weak, and Vitamin B3 is not a mainstream migraine treatment. More research is needed to establish its efficacy and safety for this indication.

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