The results of a new clinical trial in patients with diabetes (i.e. insulin resistance) tested the antioxidant alpha lipoic acid for lowering migraine attacks.
The idea behind this study was that lowering of insulin resistance in diabetes patients with alpha lipoic acid in addition to diet and the drug metformin.
More specifically, the patients selected for this study did not find migraine relief from metformin and diet alone.
The results of this exploratory study were published in the Journal of Medicinal Food and found significant benefit by adding alpha lipoic acid for reducing the number of migraine attacks.
Here are the details of the study
Patients: 32 patients were enrolled in the study
Patients were enrolled if they did not find migraine relief (i.e. 50% reduction in migraine attacks) after being on metformin and diet.
Study duration: 6 months
Study agent: 400 milligrams of alpha-lipoic acid 2 times daily.
Here are the main results
At the start of the study the average number of attcks was 11
After 6 months of alpha lipoic acid the average number decreased to 5
No changes were observed in the baseline and 120 minute glucose and insulin and insulin quantitative insulin sensitivity check index.
The number of days of migraine treatment was 7.7 days at baseline (i.e. day 0 of the study), 5.4 days at 2 months, 5.3 days at 4 months, and 4.3 days at 6 months.
Read here about more clinical trials testing natural ways to reduce migraines.
Here is what the authors had to say
We found a significant reduction in the number of attacks and days of treatment in migraineurs who had not responded to diet and metformin.
And
First, it is an exploratory cohort study lacking a control group. Only a randomized controlled trial (RCT), with an adequate control group, would be able to adequately test the hypothesis that ALA can reduce the number of migraine attacks.
Take away message
Alpha lipoic acid has shown significant benefit for diabetes patients for improving neuropathy (pain, tingling, prickling) and possibly skin damage.
A limitation of this study was that it did not have a separate placebo control group. However, the benefit of alpha lipoic acid for neuropathy migraine relief may be one more benefit from alpha lipoic acid in patients with diabetes.
This study makes the case that future studies with a more rigorous design are needed to test alpha lipoic acid for migraine relief in diabetes patients.
Reference
Cavestro et al. Alpha-Lipoic Acid Shows Promise to Improve Migraine in Patients with Insulin Resistance: A 6-Month Exploratory Study. Journal of Medicinal Food. 2018; Volume 21 (Issue 3): pages 269-273.
His research on plant medicine has led to more than 45 publications and abstracts.This research has been presented at international meetings in the USA, France, Turkey, Peru, Israel, Austria, and Italy.
Categories: Antioxidant, Clinical Trials, Headaches, Migraines