A probiotic supplement containing 14 strains of “gut-friendly” bacteria has been shown to significantly reduce both the frequency and severity of migraine headaches in adults.
Dramatic improvements were reported in patients diagnosed with either chronic migraine (CM – people that suffer with headaches >15 days per month) or episodic migraine (EM – people that suffer headaches <15 days per month)
100 patients suffering from migraines (50 CM and 50EM) received either the probiotic Bio-Kult® Advanced (14 bacterial strains; 4 billion CFU per day) or a placebo for 8-10 weeks, in a study conducted by Dr. S.R. Jahromi and colleagues from Tehran University of Medical Sciences in the Middle-East.
By the end of the trial, the mean frequency of migraine attacks had significantly decreased in the probiotic groups compared to placebo; 40% in the EM group and 45% in the CM group. Migraine intensity was also significantly improved in the probiotic groups compared to placebo; 29% in the EM and 31% in CM.
1 IN 7 SUFFER
Migraine is among the most common neurological disorders, with an estimated global prevalence of 14.7% (around 1 in 7 people).
Previous evidence has demonstrated that gut microbiota play a key role in the gut-brain axis and disturbances of intestinal flora may be associated with neurological disorders, including migraine.
Sarah Ussher, Brand Manager at Scope Healthcare says, “The findings from this study in the first successful trial of its kind shows the beneficial role of probiotics in alleviating the severity, frequency and duration of migraine attacks. Migraine is one of the world’s most debilitating illnesses and with 750,000 people in Ireland now suffering with migraine, it’s good for them to know that there are alternative methods of preventative treatments.
The study was published in one of the world’s leading headache journals, Cephalagia.
RRP for a Bio-Kult Advanced pack of 30 capsules – from Irish-owned healthcare supplier company Scope Healthcare – is €10.50.
