EPA in fish oil prevents migraines

Several studies have suggested that fish oil helps prevent migraine headaches. A new clinical trial by Taiwanese doctors provides the strongest evidence for this effect to date. The paper, “A 12-week randomized double-blind clinical trial of eicosapentaenoic acid intervention in episodic migraine” was published this month in the journal Brain, Behavior, and Immunity.

Unlike previous studies, this one used a high dose of one of the two omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil, eicosapentaenoic acid, or EPA. 70 people with episodic migraine participated in a 12-week trial.

One group of 35 people took 2 grams of fish oil daily, which contained 1.8 grams of EPA. The other group of 35 people took a placebo of 2 grams of soybean oil daily. The researchers tracked several measures related to migraine frequency, severity, disability, anxiety/depression, quality of life, and sleep quality before and after the 12 weeks. The results showed that the EPA group did significantly better than the placebo group on multiple measures:

 – They had 4.4 fewer monthly migraine days on average compared to 0.6 fewer days in the placebo group.

– They used acute migraine medication 1.3 fewer days compared to 0.1 more days in the placebo group.

– Their headache severity scores improved more than the placebo group.

– Their disability scores related to migraine improved more.

– Their anxiety and depression scores improved more.

– Their migraine-specific quality of life scores improved more.

Notably, women seemed to particularly benefit from taking the high-dose EPA supplement. Overall, the high dose of EPA from fish oil was able to significantly reduce migraine frequency and severity, improve psychological symptoms, and boost the quality of life for these episodic migraine patients over the 12 weeks. No major side effects were seen.

The cheapest and the highest quality product that will give you such a high amount of EPA is a prescription drug, icosapent ethyl (Vascepa). Most insurers will not cover it for migraines but a 60-day supply (120 capsules) will cost you $77, according to GoodRx.com. You do need a doctor to prescribe it to you.