Can Supplements Help Migraines?

Some vitamins and supplements may help prevent migraines or reduce their frequency. While they're not a replacement for medical treatment, certain supplements may offer additional help with fewer side effects than some medications.

Riboflavin helps your cells produce energy and may reduce migraine frequency when taken daily. It's found naturally in foods such as meat, eggs, milk, green vegetables, nuts, and enriched flour.

Many people with migraine have low magnesium levels, and taking supplements may help prevent attacks. Magnesium oxide can reduce the frequency and severity of migraine attacks, especially for those with menstrual migraine or migraine with aura.

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) helps your cells produce energy and acts as an antioxidant in your body. Organ meats (such as liver), whole grains, and oily fish (such as salmon) are the primary food sources of this.

Melatonin, a natural hormone, is similar to indomethacin, an anti-inflammatory drug used to treat aches, pains, and migraines. Melatonin generally works well with your body, but it can cause daytime sleepiness. In rare cases, it can cause abdominal discomfort and even short bouts of depression.

This plant, which looks like a daisy, has a long history in treating — you guessed it — fevers, as well as aches and pains due to inflammation. Research shows that feverfew may treat and prevent migraines. But most results have been mixed.