Forty-nine individuals with recurrent migraines were given riboflavin,
400 mg/day with breakfast, for at least 3 months. The mean number of
migraine attacks fell by 67% and mean migraine severity improved by
68%. One patient stopped treatment because of gastric intolerance (that
person was also taking small amounts of aspirin), but no other side
effects occurred.
COMMENT: A reduction in energy production in mitochondria has been
shown to occur in migraine patients when they were studied between attacks.
Riboflavin is the precursor to flavin adenine dinucleotide, a coenzyme
involved in the energy-producing mitochondrial electron-transport chain.
A beneficial clinical response to high-dose riboflavin has been reported
in some patients with mitochondrial myopathies. If deficient energy
production is a causal factor in migraine, then riboflavin supplementation
might be helpful. It should be noted, however, that this study was uncontrolled
and cannot, therefore, rule out the possibility of a placebo effect.
Other nutrients that enhance mitochondrial energy production include
magnesium, niacinamide, and coenzyme B10. Clinical studies have shown
magnesium to be of value both in the prevention and acute treatment
of migraines. The other two nutrients have not been tested with migraine
patients.
Schoenen J, et al. High-dose riboflavin as a prophylactic treatment
of migraine: results of an open pilot study. Cephalalgia 1994;14:328-329.