The effects of concurrent alpha-linolenic acid, L-carnitine supplementation on clinical symptoms, mental health, and quality of life in women with migraine: a randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Abstract Background Migraine, as a widespread neurological condition, substantially impacts quality of life, particularly among women. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the potential effects of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and L-carnitine co-supplementation on migraine symptoms, mental health, an...
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2025-03-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12937-025-01107-7 |
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| author | Sahar Golpour-hamedani Mohammad Bagherniya Fariborz Khorvash Awat Feizi Manoj Sharma Gholamreza Askari |
| author_facet | Sahar Golpour-hamedani Mohammad Bagherniya Fariborz Khorvash Awat Feizi Manoj Sharma Gholamreza Askari |
| author_sort | Sahar Golpour-hamedani |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Migraine, as a widespread neurological condition, substantially impacts quality of life, particularly among women. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the potential effects of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and L-carnitine co-supplementation on migraine symptoms, mental health, and life quality in women with migraine. Methods In this randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 80 women with migraine were randomly assigned to receive either ALA (1000 mg) plus L-carnitine (500 mg) or matching placebos daily for 12 weeks. Migraine characteristics, mental health parameters, and quality of life measures were assessed at baseline and study end. Results The intervention group demonstrated a significant reduction in migraine frequency (-2.96; 95% CI (-3.48, -2.45) vs -0.07; 95% CI (-0.68, 0.53), P < 0.001), severity (-1.6; 95% CI (-2.05, -1.15) vs − 0.44; 95% CI (-0.91, 0.02), P = 0.001), and duration (-4.9; 95% CI (-6.34, -3.45) vs -0.5; 95% CI (-1.06, 0.66) hours, P < 0.001) compared to the placebo group. Mental health improvements were observed in depression (-7.4; 95% CI (-9.24, -5.55) vs 0.05; 95% CI (-1.16, 1.26), P < 0.001), and anxiety scores (-5.7; 95% CI (-7.26, -4.14) vs − 0.65; 95% CI (-2.33, 1.03), P < 0.001). Quality of life measures showed significant enhancement, with increased migraine-specific quality of life (9.75; 95% CI (8.01, 11.49) vs 1.22; 95% CI (-0.66, 3.11), P < 0.001) and decreased headache impact test-6 scores (-8.57; 95% CI (-11.79, -5.36) vs -1.35; 95% CI (-3.41, 0.71), P = 0.005) in the intervention group compared to the controls. Conclusion Co-supplementation with ALA and L-carnitine may offer a promising adjuvant therapy for managing migraine in women, addressing both physical symptoms and psychological burdens. Trial registration IRCT20121216011763N57. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-3e122a256e654fb7b59901c3bea45f2a |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1475-2891 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-3e122a256e654fb7b59901c3bea45f2a2025-08-20T03:01:42ZengBMCNutrition Journal1475-28912025-03-0124111310.1186/s12937-025-01107-7The effects of concurrent alpha-linolenic acid, L-carnitine supplementation on clinical symptoms, mental health, and quality of life in women with migraine: a randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled trialSahar Golpour-hamedani0Mohammad Bagherniya1Fariborz Khorvash2Awat Feizi3Manoj Sharma4Gholamreza Askari5Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Science, Isfahan University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Community Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Science, Isfahan University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Neurology, Isfahan University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Health, Clinical Toxicology Research Center and Cardiac Rehabilitation Research Center, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical SciencesSocial and Behavioral Health, School of Public Health, University of NevadaDepartment of Community Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Science, Isfahan University of Medical SciencesAbstract Background Migraine, as a widespread neurological condition, substantially impacts quality of life, particularly among women. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the potential effects of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and L-carnitine co-supplementation on migraine symptoms, mental health, and life quality in women with migraine. Methods In this randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 80 women with migraine were randomly assigned to receive either ALA (1000 mg) plus L-carnitine (500 mg) or matching placebos daily for 12 weeks. Migraine characteristics, mental health parameters, and quality of life measures were assessed at baseline and study end. Results The intervention group demonstrated a significant reduction in migraine frequency (-2.96; 95% CI (-3.48, -2.45) vs -0.07; 95% CI (-0.68, 0.53), P < 0.001), severity (-1.6; 95% CI (-2.05, -1.15) vs − 0.44; 95% CI (-0.91, 0.02), P = 0.001), and duration (-4.9; 95% CI (-6.34, -3.45) vs -0.5; 95% CI (-1.06, 0.66) hours, P < 0.001) compared to the placebo group. Mental health improvements were observed in depression (-7.4; 95% CI (-9.24, -5.55) vs 0.05; 95% CI (-1.16, 1.26), P < 0.001), and anxiety scores (-5.7; 95% CI (-7.26, -4.14) vs − 0.65; 95% CI (-2.33, 1.03), P < 0.001). Quality of life measures showed significant enhancement, with increased migraine-specific quality of life (9.75; 95% CI (8.01, 11.49) vs 1.22; 95% CI (-0.66, 3.11), P < 0.001) and decreased headache impact test-6 scores (-8.57; 95% CI (-11.79, -5.36) vs -1.35; 95% CI (-3.41, 0.71), P = 0.005) in the intervention group compared to the controls. Conclusion Co-supplementation with ALA and L-carnitine may offer a promising adjuvant therapy for managing migraine in women, addressing both physical symptoms and psychological burdens. Trial registration IRCT20121216011763N57.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12937-025-01107-7Alpha-linolenic acidL-carnitineMigraineMental health |
| spellingShingle | Sahar Golpour-hamedani Mohammad Bagherniya Fariborz Khorvash Awat Feizi Manoj Sharma Gholamreza Askari The effects of concurrent alpha-linolenic acid, L-carnitine supplementation on clinical symptoms, mental health, and quality of life in women with migraine: a randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial Nutrition Journal Alpha-linolenic acid L-carnitine Migraine Mental health |
| title | The effects of concurrent alpha-linolenic acid, L-carnitine supplementation on clinical symptoms, mental health, and quality of life in women with migraine: a randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial |
| title_full | The effects of concurrent alpha-linolenic acid, L-carnitine supplementation on clinical symptoms, mental health, and quality of life in women with migraine: a randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial |
| title_fullStr | The effects of concurrent alpha-linolenic acid, L-carnitine supplementation on clinical symptoms, mental health, and quality of life in women with migraine: a randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial |
| title_full_unstemmed | The effects of concurrent alpha-linolenic acid, L-carnitine supplementation on clinical symptoms, mental health, and quality of life in women with migraine: a randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial |
| title_short | The effects of concurrent alpha-linolenic acid, L-carnitine supplementation on clinical symptoms, mental health, and quality of life in women with migraine: a randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial |
| title_sort | effects of concurrent alpha linolenic acid l carnitine supplementation on clinical symptoms mental health and quality of life in women with migraine a randomized triple blind placebo controlled trial |
| topic | Alpha-linolenic acid L-carnitine Migraine Mental health |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12937-025-01107-7 |
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