Migraine is the third most common disease in the world, and it occurs around 1 in 7 people. Migraine is most common between the ages of 25 and 55 and about 90% of migraine sufferers have a family history of migraine.

Researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center have found that patients (children, teens and young adults) with migraines are more likely to have coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), vitamin D and riboflavin deficiencies. These vitamins play an important role in producing energy for cell growth and maintenance.

Hagler S, et al. conducted the study and included children, teens and young adult migraine patients treated for migraine. The database of patients with migraines who had their blood levels checked for vitamin D, riboflavin, CoQ10 and folate, all of which have been linked to migraines in previous and sometimes conflicting studies.

Many of the patients were put on migraine medications and received vitamin supplementation if their blood work showed low levels. However, few patients received vitamins alone. It was found that girls and young women were more likely to have CoQ10 deficiencies, while boys and young men were more likely to have vitamin D deficiency. It was unclear whether there were folate deficiencies. Patients with chronic migraines were more likely to have CoQ10 and riboflavin deficiencies than patients with episodic migraines.

Early studies concluded that certain vitamin deficiencies might be involved in migraine. However, when studies using vitamin supplementation to prevent migraines were carried out, they yielded mixed results. Further research will be needed for physicians to begin prescribing vitamin supplementation as a potential migraine prevention.