A new study has disclosed that Vitamin B and folic acid can lessen the chance and intensity of migraines by decreasing amino acid levels.

A research group at Griffith University in Australia based their findings on a six-month study conducted on 50 participants with chronic migraine.

The result of the study showed that folacin and vitamin B could help significantly reduce the occurrence as well as severity of the migraine symptoms.

Study lead researcher Prof Lyn Griffiths said, “The trial provided vitamin B supplements and folic acid to more than 50 long-term migraine sufferers for six months. Results showed a drastic improvement in headache frequency, pain severity and associated disability for those treated.”

People with migraine have higher levels of the amino acid homocysteine that may raise the risk of stroke and other coronary diseases by two- to threefold.

A migraine attack lead to severe headache and other symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, and heightened sensitivity to light, sound and smell.

Prof Griffiths said, “The recent trial was founded on the theory vitamin B supplements and folic acid will reduce the homocysteine and in turn, improve migraine symptoms. The success of our trial has shown safe, inexpensive vitamin supplements can treat migraine patients.”

“We are now going to undertake a more extensive trial and further studies to find out the best dosage of the vitamin supplements for individuals as this may vary depending on a patient's genetic profile.”

“Current treatments for migraine are not always effective and can be expensive and cause adverse effects,” Prof Griffiths added.

In UK, there are approximately nine million people having migraines with 80% of them having an attack that lasts from four to 72 hours, at least once a month.