Effect of nutritional supplementation with omega-3, acetyl-L-carnitine and vitamin E on biochemical parameters and migraine outcome

Purpose: To investigate the impact of supplementation with omega-3, acetyl-L-carnitine, and vitamin E on symptoms and general well-being of migraine patients. Methods: This study involved 40 male patients aged 20 - 65 years, who experienced 2 - 8 migraine attacks per month. The participants were recruited from outpatient clinics in Mosul City, Iraq. A total of 20 age-matched healthy individuals served as control group. Over a period of 30 days, the patients received daily supplements containing Omega-3 (180 mg of EPA and 120 mg of DHA) plus vitamin E (3 mg) and acetyl-L-carnitine (500 mg). Blood tests were conducted before and after supplementation to measure serum levels of serotonin, uric acid, indirect bilirubin, electrolytes, and lipid profiles. Results: Serum levels of total cholesterol and triglycerides were significantly elevated (p < 0.001) in migraine patients (216.15 ± 36.41 mg/dL), when compared to control group (179.37 ± 33.84 mg/dL). Moreover, migraine patients had significantly increased serum triglyceride levels (255.36 ± 100.8), relative to control group (116.70 ± 49.03 mg/dL; p < 0.001). The nutritional supplementation led to marked increase in serum serotonin level from 103.03 ± 19.03 to 116.97 ± 36.61 ng/mL (p < 0.01). In contrast, there were significant reductions (p < 0.01) in total cholesterol (from 218.38 ± 36.73 to 201.34 ± 26.30 mg/dL) and triglycerides (from 256.28 ± 104.41 to 156.66 ± 72.66 mg/dL). The number of migraine attacks was significantly decreased from 4 to 2 (Z = -4.737, p < 0.001), and the severity of migraine episodes was decreased from 3 (severe) to 2 (moderate; Z = -2.768, p = 0.006). Conclusion: Supplementation of omega-3, vitamin E and acetyl-L-carnitine is effective in correcting biochemical status and decreasing the frequency and severity of migraine attacks in migraine patients.