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.

2025-03-13
Nutrition journal 24(1)
- Sahar Golpour-Hamedani
- Mohammad Bagherniya
- Fariborz Khorvash
- Awat Feizi
- Manoj Sharma
- Gholamreza Askari

PubMed: 40082970
DOI: 10.1186/s12937-025-01107-7

Study Design

Type: Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Sample size: n = 80
Population: 80 women with migraine
Methods: randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial, ALA (1000 mg) plus L-carnitine (500 mg) or matching placebos daily for 12 weeks
Blinding: Triple-blind
Duration: 12 weeks
Funding: Unclear

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.

Research Insights

L-Carnitine→Improved Migraine-Specific Quality of Life
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)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Dose
500 mg/day
L-Carnitine→Reduced Anxiety
anxiety scores (-5.7; 95% CI (-7.26, -4.14) vs - 0.65; 95% CI (-2.33, 1.03), P < 0.001)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Large
Dose
500 mg/day
L-Carnitine→Reduced Depression Symptoms
depression (-7.4; 95% CI (-9.24, -5.55) vs 0.05; 95% CI (-1.16, 1.26), P < 0.001)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Large
Dose
500 mg/day
L-Carnitine→Reduced Headache Impact Score
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)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Dose
500 mg/day
L-Carnitine→Reduced Migraine Duration
duration (-4.9; 95% CI (-6.34, -3.45) vs -0.5; 95% CI (-1.06, 0.66) hours, P < 0.001)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Dose
500 mg/day
L-Carnitine→Reduced Migraine Frequency
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)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Large
Dose
500 mg/day
L-Carnitine→Reduced Migraine Severity
severity (-1.6; 95% CI (-2.05, -1.15) vs - 0.44; 95% CI (-0.91, 0.02), P = 0.001)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Large
Dose
500 mg/day