Effect of Flaxseed Supplementation on Headache Characteristics and Quality of Life in Patients with Migraine: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Migraine is a prevalent neurologic disorder that is linked to neuroinflammation. Flaxseed is a plant source of omega-3 (n‒3) fatty acids, which may display anti-inflammatory effects through conversion to long-chain ω-3 fatty acids with known anti-inflammatory potential. OBJECTIVES: We examined the effect of flaxseed supplementation on headache characteristics and psychosocial well-being in patients with migraine. METHODS: This randomized controlled trial was conducted on 68 patients with migraine. Participants consumed 20 g/d of either flaxseed powder (intervention) or roasted wheat powder (control) for 8 wk. Primary outcomes included: headache frequency, duration, and severity. Secondary outcomes were psychological states (depression, anxiety, and stress), quality of life, sleep quality, weight, and blood pressure. Data were analyzed using SPSS. RESULTS: At the end of the 8-wk intervention, the flaxseed group showed significant improvements in headache severity (‒5.0 ± 2.2 compared with ‒1.0 ± 1.9, P < 0.001), headache impact score (quality of life) (‒15.7 ± 11.0 compared with ‒2.3 ± 8.1, P < 0.001), and insomnia severity index (‒4.6 ± 6.5 compared with ‒1.6 ± 4.9, P = 0.029) compared with the control group. Changes in headache frequency or duration, as well as other measurements, were not significant between groups. Per-protocol and intention-to-treat analyses yielded identical results. CONCLUSIONS: Daily consumption of flaxseed for 8 wk may improve headache severity, sleep quality, and quality of life in patients with migraine. Further research is warranted to confirm these findings and explore underlying mechanisms.