Evidence supporting the use of: Alpha lipoic acid
For the health condition: Migraine

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Synopsis

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

Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) is an antioxidant that has garnered some scientific interest for its potential in migraine prevention. The rationale for its use is primarily based on its antioxidant properties and its role in mitochondrial function, as mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress have both been implicated in the pathophysiology of migraine. Several small-scale clinical studies have been conducted to investigate its efficacy. For example, a 2007 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study by Magis et al. found that ALA supplementation (600 mg/day for 3 months) led to a reduction in headache frequency and disability scores compared to placebo. Another 2016 study by Sensen et al. also reported positive effects on migraine frequency and severity. However, these studies are limited by small sample sizes and short durations.

Systematic reviews of nutraceuticals for migraine prevention often mention ALA as a promising adjunct, but emphasize the need for larger, high-quality trials to establish its effectiveness. ALA is not considered a first-line therapy, and its use is generally reserved for patients interested in complementary approaches or those intolerant to standard therapies. The overall evidence supporting alpha lipoic acid for migraine prevention is suggestive, but not robust. Therefore, while there is scientific interest and some preliminary validation, the strength of evidence is modest, warranting a rating of 2 out of 5.

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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 (docosahexaenoic 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