Probiotic and Vitamin D Co-Supplementation Benefits Migraineurs

Probiotic and vitamin D co-supplementation for 12 weeks demonstrated beneficial effects on migraine headache characteristics, according to study findings published in BMC Medicine.

Researchers conducted a parallel randomized, triple-blinded, placebo-controlled trial in Iran to explore the effects of probiotic and vitamin D co-supplementation on the frequency, duration, and severity of migraine attacks, daily functioning, mental health outcomes, and serum levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP). Patients aged 18 to 55 who had a history of migraine and experienced at more than 2 migraine attacks per month during the 3 previous months were randomly assigned to receive vitamin D plus probiotic or placebo for 12 weeks. At baseline and 12 weeks, the short-form Headache Impact Test-6 (HIT-6) and 21-item Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS) questionnaires were administered. Using a self-administered 1-month headache diary at baseline and the end of intervention, the frequency, duration, and severity of migraine headaches per month were assessed. Blood pressure (BP) and anthropomorphic indices, as well as serum levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D and high-sensitivity CRP were examined at baseline and 12 weeks.

A total of 72 participants (mean age, 37.46; mean body mass index [BMI], 25.04 kg/m²) were included in the study, of whom 36 (mean age, 37.44; women, 91.7%) comprised the intervention group and 36 (mean age, 37.47; women, 88.9%) comprised the placebo group. The trial was completed by 68 participants.

Mean systolic blood pressure (BP), diastolic BP, and mean arterial pressure values were significantly lower among individuals in the probiotic and vitamin D vs placebo group.

Probiotic and vitamin D co-supplementation vs placebo was associated with a significant increase in serum levels of vitamin D (+12.86 vs +1.12 ng/mL; P <.001).

In both groups, migraine headache frequency, duration, and severity, as well as HIT-6 score significantly decreased from baseline (P <.05).

According to between-group analyses in the adjusted model, the probiotic and vitamin D vs control group demonstrated a significantly greater reduction in migraine headache frequency (-3.17 vs -1.25; P =.031) and severity (-1.55 vs -0.67; P =.017); however, there was no significant difference in change in migraine headache duration and HIT-6 score between the 2 groups (P =.171).

Between-group analyses exhibited no statistically significant differences between the 2 groups in terms of mental health indices (P >.05) and high-sensitivity CRP reduction (P =.959).

Study limitations include the reduced generalizability of results to men, potential unmeasured confounders, and reliance on self-reported data.

“Further research is required to find alternative treatment options for the management of mental health problems in migraineurs,” the study authors concluded.