Effect of Zinc Supplementation on Symptoms and C-Reactive Protein among Patients with Migraine: A Double-blind Randomized Placebo-controlled Clinical Trial

Prevalence of migraine is reported at 14.7% and 14% around the world and Iran, respectively. Zinc deficiency is recognized as one of the nutritional problems worldwide. People with migraines have lower levels of zinc, as compared to healthy individuals. The present study aimed to determine the effect of zinc supplementation on symptoms and C-Reactive Protein as a sensitive marker of inflammation among patients with migraine.

This double-blinded randomized clinical study was conducted on 80 patients with migraine in Isfahan, Iran, in 2016. Participants were randomly assigned to the intervention and control groups. The patients in the intervention and control groups received one daily dose of 220 mg zinc sulfate (50 mg zinc) and a placebo (starch) for 8 weeks. The symptoms of migraine attacks, including the severity of headache, frequency and duration of headache, headache diary result (HDR), and C-Reactive Protein (CRP) levels were measured for each patient at baseline and at the end of the trial.

At the commencement of the study, there was no significant difference between the two groups regarding migraine symptoms. In addition, the intervention decreased the severity (P=0.048), frequency (P = 0.026), and headache diary result (HDR) (P=0.02), as compared to the placebo. Nonetheless, the two groups were significantly different regarding the mean duration of headache attacks (P=0.092).

As evidenced by the obtained results, zinc supplementation for 8 weeks may be an effective treatment for migraine symptoms.