A whopping 400mg a day of riboflavin (vitamin B2) taken for 3 months by 23 migraine sufferers halved the number of migraines compared to the number they experienced in the three months before the trial started, reports a new study. The migraine sufferers kept a detailed diary, which showed that the migraines they still suffered were just as intense, but lasted less long.

The amount of riboflavin is far higher than could be obtained from a normal diet, where 1.6mg a day is considered a usual level. But only three participants suffered side effects, such as facial redness, some abdominal pain and diarrhoea, which they considered minor. The trial was small, and needs to be confirmed by more research, but the 12-15% of people in the UK who suffer migraine may find this study very encouraging.

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First Published in 2004

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