What vitamin deficiency causes migraine?

Migraine is a common condition that can cause various symptoms, usually including a severe headache. While many factors can cause the condition, its symptoms typically occur in episodes or attacks that can be triggered by different environmental factors.

A deficiency in several different nutrients or vitamins may be linked to the development of migraine. This means that supplementation with these nutrients may help prevent attacks.

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Vitamin deficiencies and migraine: What to know

Experts believe that migraine is caused by a combination of genetic, environmental, and neurological factors. Certain environmental triggers may also make you more likely to experience an attack, including factors like your diet.

According to a 2021 review, certain nutritional deficiencies may also be responsible for the development of migraine. The research suggests that this may be because deficiencies impact mitochondria function, leading to a deficit of energy in the brain and increased oxidative stress.

According to the review, there are several nutrients in particular that may be promising for managing migraine that’s linked with vitamin deficiencies.

B vitamins

B vitamins are a group of water-soluble vitamins that play essential roles in various bodily functions, including energy production, metabolism, and nerve function. There are eight B vitamins, each with different functions and benefits.

The 2021 review suggests that deficiencies in the following B vitamins may be linked with migraine:

• vitamin B1 (thiamine)
• vitamin B2 (riboflavin)
• vitamin B3 (niacin)
• vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)
• vitamin B9 (folic acid or folate)
• vitamin B12 (cobalamin)

According to some 2022 research, supplementation with four B vitamins may play a role in migraine prevention:

• vitamin B1 (thiamine)
• vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)
• vitamin B9 (folic acid)
• vitamin B12 (cobalamin)

B vitamins are generally available as over-the-counter (OTC) dietary supplements, but you can also get them from your diet. The following foods are rich in B vitamins:

• animal products like meat, poultry, eggs, and fish
• legumes like beans and lentils
• whole grains like brown bread and brown rice
• fruits like bananas and citrus fruits

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that helps support bone health, the immune system, and overall wellbeing. It’s synthesized naturally by the body when exposed to sunlight, but it’s also available in supplement form.

According to some 2025 research, people with lower vitamin D levels were more likely to have migraine headaches than people with higher levels. The researchers suggest this may be due to vitamin D’s role in reducing inflammation, alongside other processes in the brain.

Vitamin D is available in supplement form, or you can increase your levels by spending time in the sun — making sure to follow safe sun procedures. It’s not as commonly found from dietary sources, although it can be found in some fortified foods and plant sources.

Magnesium

Magnesium isn’t actually a vitamin, but a mineral. Still, it’s equally important for supporting essential bodily processes, such as energy production, nerve function, and heart health.

The 2021 review suggests that people with migraine are more likely to have lower magnesium levels than those without, and those with lower magnesium levels had more severe headaches. Magensium supplementation is considered effective for managing migraine.

You can increase your magnesium intake through supplements, or you can eat some foods high in magnesium, such as:

• leafy greens like kale or spinach
• nuts
• dark chocolate

Migraine treatment and prevention

The main treatments for migraine are split into two categories:

• acute (or abortive) treatments, which you take to treat and slow the progression of a migraine episode
• preventive (or prophylactic) treatments, which aim to reduce the frequency, severity, and duration of migraine episodes

Natural and self-care remedies, such as increasing your vitamin intake through diet or supplements, are generally preventive, helping to stop episodes from happening before they come on. You can take individual dietary supplements, or you may find a multivitamin containing all the nutrients you’re looking for.

Acute treatments for migraine include:

• Pain relievers: OTC pain relievers like ibuprofen (Advil) and naproxen (Aleve) can help manage mild to moderate pain caused by migraine episodes.
• Triptans: These are the primary prescription treatment for migraine episodes. Examples include sumatriptan (Imitrex) and zolmitriptan (Zomig).
• Gepants: These are another class of migraine medication. One example is rimegepant (Nurtec).
• Antiemetics: These are anti-nausea medications that can help manage symptoms of nausea and vomiting when you have a migraine episode. Examples include metoclopramide (Reglan), chlorpromazine, and prochlorperazine (Compro).

Other preventive treatments include:

• CGRP antagonists: Examples include erenumab (Aimovig), rimegepant (Nurtec), or zavegepant (Zavzpret).
• CGRP monoclonal antibodies: Examples include eptinezumab (Vyepti), fremanezumab (Ajovy), or galcanezumab (Emgality).
• Botox: Botox injections can sometimes help treat chronic migraine by blocking certain nerve receptors.
• Antidepressants: Some antidepressants can prevent migraine, such as duloxetine (Cymbalta) or venlafaxine (Effexor XR).
• Seizure medications: An anticonvulsant medication, topiramate (Topamax), can help prevent migraine attacks.

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Online care for migraine

If you have a migraine diagnosis, it may be a good idea to ensure that you have enough of your prescribed medications, particularly as it can be difficult to know when you’ll have an attack.

Online care services, including Optum Perks Online Care, may make getting treatment easier. With these services, you can submit an online form answering a few questions about your symptoms, and a US-licensed healthcare professional will respond soon after to prescribe a treatment plan.

Summary

Many different factors can contribute to migraine, including genetic and environmental factors. Certain environmental triggers can also lead to migraine episodes. Vitamin and nutrient deficiencies are just one contributing factor.

Research suggests that deficiencies in vitamin D, magnesium, and B vitamins may be prevalent in migraine, and supplementation with these nutrients can help manage the condition.

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