Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin E
For the health condition: Migraine

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Synopsis

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

Vitamin E has been investigated as a potential treatment for certain types of migraine, particularly menstrual migraine (also known as menstrual-related migraine). The rationale stems from vitamin E’s antioxidant properties and its ability to modulate prostaglandin synthesis, which is relevant because prostaglandin changes are implicated in the pathophysiology of menstrual migraines. Several small, randomized controlled trials have suggested that vitamin E supplementation (commonly at 400 IU per day) may reduce the severity and duration of menstrual migraine attacks. For example, one study found that women who took vitamin E around the time of their menstrual period experienced fewer and less severe migraine attacks compared to placebo. The evidence is modest, with limited sample sizes and variable study quality, but it has been consistent enough for some headache specialists to consider vitamin E as an adjunctive or alternative therapy, especially for women seeking non-hormonal options.

However, for non-menstrual or general migraine, the scientific evidence is lacking. Large-scale, high-quality trials are absent, and guidelines do not recommend vitamin E for general migraine prevention or treatment. In summary, vitamin E has some scientific support—primarily for menstrual migraine, with a small effect size and low-to-moderate quality evidence (hence, a rating of 2 out of 5). It is not traditionally used for migraine outside of these research contexts.

More about vitamin E
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Other ingredients used for Migraine

1,3,7-Trimethylpurine-2,6-dione
5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)
5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine
Albizia
Almond fruit
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
alpha-lipoic acid
apple cider vinegar
ashwagandha
atractylodes
atractylone
Baikal Skullcap
balsam
banyan
bergamot
beta caryophyllene
beta-hydroxybutyrate
betony
Bifidobacteria
Black Hellebore
black seed
black tea
blackboard tree
Blepharis
brahmi
bupleurum falcatum
butterbur
cannabidiol
Carthamus
Chinese salvia root
Chinese silkvine
chrysanthemum
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
cola nut
Corydalis
creatine
crocin
curcumin
danshen
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
docosahexaenoic Acid
eicosapentaenoic acid
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
feverfew
Ficus religiosa
Ficus simplicissima
fish
fish oil
flavanones
flavin mononucleotide
folic acid
frankincense
Gelsemium
ginger
ginkgo biloba
ginkgolides
Ginkgoside
goldthread
gooseberry
gotu kola
Hellebore
Indian frankincense
iridoids
ketone salts
kuding tea
kudzu
l-5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine salt (5-MTHF)
lavender
lemon balm
Lesser speargrass
linalool
little ironweed
luteolin
magnesium
Meadowsweet
Melatonin
Mesua
Methylxanthine
Moringa
Nardostachys
Niacin (vitamin B3)
Night jessamine
omega-3 fatty acids
Osthole
paeoniflorin
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)
Peppermint
Petasines
Phthalides
phytocannabinoids
pine bark
Polygonum
Puerarin
purple butterbur root
Pycnogenol
Rauvolfia
riboflavin (vitamin B2)
Rubiaceae
Rubus
rue
Salmon Oil
Sandalwood
Scabrous Gentian
Sensitive Plant
soursop
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
Spikenard
Swertia
Szechuan lovage
turmeric
ubiquinol
Uncaria
Valerian root
vitamin B6
vitamin D
vitamin D3
vitamin E
Withanolides
Xanthine
Xanthone
Xanthophyll
Yuzu
Zinc
Zingerone