Can Vitamin B1 Help Prevent Migraine and Severe Headache?

Key TakeawaysDietary thiamine, or vitamin B1, is associated with a lower risk of migraine, according to a new study.Typically, vitamin B2—instead of vitamin B1—is used to prevent migraines.More research is needed to confirm the effects of vitamin B1 on severe headaches and migraines.About 14% of the global population experiencemigraines, and women are twice as likely as men to have migraines, according to a recent analysis.Vitamin B1 (thiamine) might be able to reduce the frequency of severe headaches and migraines, especially in women, according to a new study.For this study, researchers used data from a national survey that involved 13,439 participants to examine the association between headache prevalence and vitamins B1 and B2. They found that vitamin B1—rather than B2—was associated with a 7% reduced risk of migraines.The results add to the growing body of evidence that dietary patterns can affect migraine outcomes. Previous studies have found thatvitamin D,omega 3s,vitamin B2 (riboflavin)might lower the chance of migraines.Vitamin B2 supplements are typically used to prevent migraine, instead of vitamin B1, according toRichard B. Lipton, MD, a professor at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, who was not involved with the study. Surprisingly, the new study didn’t find any significant association between vitamin B2 intake and migraines.9 Evidence-Based Supplements for Migraine ReliefWhat Do We Know About B1 and Migraines?This new study was the first large-scale research on the impact of dietary B1 on migraine prevalence in the U.S. population.A 2016 case study suggested that migraine-induced vomiting can lead to a deficiency in thiamine, or vitamin B1, and cause further headaches, According to the report, vitamin B1 supplements could be a potential treatment for this migraine cycle.“Some symptoms of thiamine deficiency overlap with those of migraine and include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting fatigue, irritability, tingling, and numbness,” Lipton said.Beriberi as a Result of Thiamine (Vitamin B1) DeficiencyScientists are still learning how vitamin B1 fits into migraine management and it’s too early to recommend this vitamin for patients based on the limited evidence.“We need other work to tell us whether the dietary changes precede migraine, whether migraine is influencing what people eat, or both,” saidMargaret Slavin, PhD, RD, an associate professor in the department of nutrition and food studies at George Mason University.For now, people with migraines can pay more attention to the vitamin B1 content in their diet, Lipton suggested. However, thiamine deficiency is uncommon because vitamin B1 is present in many foods, including pork, fish, yogurt, and whole grains.Some studies have suggested avoiding certain trigger foods, like alcohol or caffeine, to prevent a migraine attack,but there’s currently no standard dietary intervention for migraines.The ketogenic diet has been studied for its potential in treating or preventing migraine, but some researchers found that it’s hard for migraine patients to take on the keto diet because of its restrictive nature.Although more research needs to be done on the role of vitamin B1 in migraine prevention, Slavin said she’s excited to see studies moving toward what foods should be included to prevent migraine, rather than focusing on removing trigger foods.What This Means For YouA new observational study found a connection between vitamin B1 intake and a reduced frequency of migraine, especially in women. More research has to be conducted before scientists can confirm the benefits of vitamin B1 in reducing severe headaches and migraines.

Key TakeawaysDietary thiamine, or vitamin B1, is associated with a lower risk of migraine, according to a new study.Typically, vitamin B2—instead of vitamin B1—is used to prevent migraines.More research is needed to confirm the effects of vitamin B1 on severe headaches and migraines.

Key Takeaways

Dietary thiamine, or vitamin B1, is associated with a lower risk of migraine, according to a new study.Typically, vitamin B2—instead of vitamin B1—is used to prevent migraines.More research is needed to confirm the effects of vitamin B1 on severe headaches and migraines.

About 14% of the global population experiencemigraines, and women are twice as likely as men to have migraines, according to a recent analysis.

Vitamin B1 (thiamine) might be able to reduce the frequency of severe headaches and migraines, especially in women, according to a new study.

For this study, researchers used data from a national survey that involved 13,439 participants to examine the association between headache prevalence and vitamins B1 and B2. They found that vitamin B1—rather than B2—was associated with a 7% reduced risk of migraines.

The results add to the growing body of evidence that dietary patterns can affect migraine outcomes. Previous studies have found thatvitamin D,omega 3s,vitamin B2 (riboflavin)might lower the chance of migraines.

Vitamin B2 supplements are typically used to prevent migraine, instead of vitamin B1, according toRichard B. Lipton, MD, a professor at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, who was not involved with the study. Surprisingly, the new study didn’t find any significant association between vitamin B2 intake and migraines.

9 Evidence-Based Supplements for Migraine Relief

What Do We Know About B1 and Migraines?

This new study was the first large-scale research on the impact of dietary B1 on migraine prevalence in the U.S. population.

A 2016 case study suggested that migraine-induced vomiting can lead to a deficiency in thiamine, or vitamin B1, and cause further headaches, According to the report, vitamin B1 supplements could be a potential treatment for this migraine cycle.

“Some symptoms of thiamine deficiency overlap with those of migraine and include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting fatigue, irritability, tingling, and numbness,” Lipton said.

Beriberi as a Result of Thiamine (Vitamin B1) Deficiency

Scientists are still learning how vitamin B1 fits into migraine management and it’s too early to recommend this vitamin for patients based on the limited evidence.

“We need other work to tell us whether the dietary changes precede migraine, whether migraine is influencing what people eat, or both,” saidMargaret Slavin, PhD, RD, an associate professor in the department of nutrition and food studies at George Mason University.

For now, people with migraines can pay more attention to the vitamin B1 content in their diet, Lipton suggested. However, thiamine deficiency is uncommon because vitamin B1 is present in many foods, including pork, fish, yogurt, and whole grains.

Some studies have suggested avoiding certain trigger foods, like alcohol or caffeine, to prevent a migraine attack,but there’s currently no standard dietary intervention for migraines.

The ketogenic diet has been studied for its potential in treating or preventing migraine, but some researchers found that it’s hard for migraine patients to take on the keto diet because of its restrictive nature.

Although more research needs to be done on the role of vitamin B1 in migraine prevention, Slavin said she’s excited to see studies moving toward what foods should be included to prevent migraine, rather than focusing on removing trigger foods.

What This Means For YouA new observational study found a connection between vitamin B1 intake and a reduced frequency of migraine, especially in women. More research has to be conducted before scientists can confirm the benefits of vitamin B1 in reducing severe headaches and migraines.

What This Means For You

A new observational study found a connection between vitamin B1 intake and a reduced frequency of migraine, especially in women. More research has to be conducted before scientists can confirm the benefits of vitamin B1 in reducing severe headaches and migraines.

8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Stovner LJ, Hagen K, Linde M, Steiner TJ.The global prevalence of headache: an update, with analysis of the influences of methodological factors on prevalence estimates.J Headache Pain. 2022;23(1):34. doi:10.1186/s10194-022-01402-2Li D, Guo Y, Xia M, Zhang J, Zang W.Dietary intake of thiamine and riboflavin in relation to severe headache or migraine: a cross‐sectional survey.Headache. Published online September 1, 2022. doi:10.1111/head.14384Nowaczewska M, Wiciński M, Osiński S, Kaźmierczak H.The role of vitamin D in primary headache—from potential mechanism to treatment.Nutrients. 2020;12(1):243. doi:10.3390/nu12010243Ramsden CE, Zamora D, Faurot KR, et al.Dietary alteration of n-3 and n-6 fatty acids for headache reduction in adults with migraine: randomized controlled trial.BMJ. 2021;374:n1448. doi:10.1136/bmj.n1448Thompson DF, Saluja HS.Prophylaxis of migraine headaches with riboflavin: A systematic review.J Clin Pharm Ther. 2017;42(4):394-403. doi:10.1111/jcpt.12548Prakash S, Kumar Singh A, Rathore C.Chronic migraine responding to intravenous thiamine: a report of two cases.Headache. 2016;56(7):1204-1209. doi:10.1111/head.12838Hindiyeh NA, Zhang N, Farrar M, Banerjee P, Lombard L, Aurora SK.The role of diet and nutrition in migraine triggers and treatment: a systematic literature review.Headache. 2020;60(7):1300-1316. doi:10.1111/head.13836Haslam RL, Bezzina A, Herbert J, Spratt N, Rollo ME, Collins CE.Can ketogenic diet therapy improve migraine frequency, severity and duration?Healthcare. 2021;9(9):1105. doi:10.3390/healthcare9091105

8 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Stovner LJ, Hagen K, Linde M, Steiner TJ.The global prevalence of headache: an update, with analysis of the influences of methodological factors on prevalence estimates.J Headache Pain. 2022;23(1):34. doi:10.1186/s10194-022-01402-2Li D, Guo Y, Xia M, Zhang J, Zang W.Dietary intake of thiamine and riboflavin in relation to severe headache or migraine: a cross‐sectional survey.Headache. Published online September 1, 2022. doi:10.1111/head.14384Nowaczewska M, Wiciński M, Osiński S, Kaźmierczak H.The role of vitamin D in primary headache—from potential mechanism to treatment.Nutrients. 2020;12(1):243. doi:10.3390/nu12010243Ramsden CE, Zamora D, Faurot KR, et al.Dietary alteration of n-3 and n-6 fatty acids for headache reduction in adults with migraine: randomized controlled trial.BMJ. 2021;374:n1448. doi:10.1136/bmj.n1448Thompson DF, Saluja HS.Prophylaxis of migraine headaches with riboflavin: A systematic review.J Clin Pharm Ther. 2017;42(4):394-403. doi:10.1111/jcpt.12548Prakash S, Kumar Singh A, Rathore C.Chronic migraine responding to intravenous thiamine: a report of two cases.Headache. 2016;56(7):1204-1209. doi:10.1111/head.12838Hindiyeh NA, Zhang N, Farrar M, Banerjee P, Lombard L, Aurora SK.The role of diet and nutrition in migraine triggers and treatment: a systematic literature review.Headache. 2020;60(7):1300-1316. doi:10.1111/head.13836Haslam RL, Bezzina A, Herbert J, Spratt N, Rollo ME, Collins CE.Can ketogenic diet therapy improve migraine frequency, severity and duration?Healthcare. 2021;9(9):1105. doi:10.3390/healthcare9091105

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Stovner LJ, Hagen K, Linde M, Steiner TJ.The global prevalence of headache: an update, with analysis of the influences of methodological factors on prevalence estimates.J Headache Pain. 2022;23(1):34. doi:10.1186/s10194-022-01402-2Li D, Guo Y, Xia M, Zhang J, Zang W.Dietary intake of thiamine and riboflavin in relation to severe headache or migraine: a cross‐sectional survey.Headache. Published online September 1, 2022. doi:10.1111/head.14384Nowaczewska M, Wiciński M, Osiński S, Kaźmierczak H.The role of vitamin D in primary headache—from potential mechanism to treatment.Nutrients. 2020;12(1):243. doi:10.3390/nu12010243Ramsden CE, Zamora D, Faurot KR, et al.Dietary alteration of n-3 and n-6 fatty acids for headache reduction in adults with migraine: randomized controlled trial.BMJ. 2021;374:n1448. doi:10.1136/bmj.n1448Thompson DF, Saluja HS.Prophylaxis of migraine headaches with riboflavin: A systematic review.J Clin Pharm Ther. 2017;42(4):394-403. doi:10.1111/jcpt.12548Prakash S, Kumar Singh A, Rathore C.Chronic migraine responding to intravenous thiamine: a report of two cases.Headache. 2016;56(7):1204-1209. doi:10.1111/head.12838Hindiyeh NA, Zhang N, Farrar M, Banerjee P, Lombard L, Aurora SK.The role of diet and nutrition in migraine triggers and treatment: a systematic literature review.Headache. 2020;60(7):1300-1316. doi:10.1111/head.13836Haslam RL, Bezzina A, Herbert J, Spratt N, Rollo ME, Collins CE.Can ketogenic diet therapy improve migraine frequency, severity and duration?Healthcare. 2021;9(9):1105. doi:10.3390/healthcare9091105

Stovner LJ, Hagen K, Linde M, Steiner TJ.The global prevalence of headache: an update, with analysis of the influences of methodological factors on prevalence estimates.J Headache Pain. 2022;23(1):34. doi:10.1186/s10194-022-01402-2

Li D, Guo Y, Xia M, Zhang J, Zang W.Dietary intake of thiamine and riboflavin in relation to severe headache or migraine: a cross‐sectional survey.Headache. Published online September 1, 2022. doi:10.1111/head.14384

Nowaczewska M, Wiciński M, Osiński S, Kaźmierczak H.The role of vitamin D in primary headache—from potential mechanism to treatment.Nutrients. 2020;12(1):243. doi:10.3390/nu12010243

Ramsden CE, Zamora D, Faurot KR, et al.Dietary alteration of n-3 and n-6 fatty acids for headache reduction in adults with migraine: randomized controlled trial.BMJ. 2021;374:n1448. doi:10.1136/bmj.n1448

Thompson DF, Saluja HS.Prophylaxis of migraine headaches with riboflavin: A systematic review.J Clin Pharm Ther. 2017;42(4):394-403. doi:10.1111/jcpt.12548

Prakash S, Kumar Singh A, Rathore C.Chronic migraine responding to intravenous thiamine: a report of two cases.Headache. 2016;56(7):1204-1209. doi:10.1111/head.12838

Hindiyeh NA, Zhang N, Farrar M, Banerjee P, Lombard L, Aurora SK.The role of diet and nutrition in migraine triggers and treatment: a systematic literature review.Headache. 2020;60(7):1300-1316. doi:10.1111/head.13836

Haslam RL, Bezzina A, Herbert J, Spratt N, Rollo ME, Collins CE.Can ketogenic diet therapy improve migraine frequency, severity and duration?Healthcare. 2021;9(9):1105. doi:10.3390/healthcare9091105

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