More Evidence that Green Veggies Fight Migraine

Yet another study is telling us that leafy greens may be powerful migraine-fighters. Specifically, the folic acid which can be found in foods like asparagus, okra and spinach.

The study, published in January in the journal Headache, discovered that more folic acid in the diet meant fewer migraine attacks in women with migraine with aura. This was particularly true in women with a certain genetic varient related to migraine with aura.

This isn’t the first time folic acid has been tagged as a migraine fighter. Folic acid, also known as folate (technically these are two different forms) or vitamin B9, is related to homocysteine, an amino acid. When homocysteine levels get too high, it can lead to health problems. Folic acid helps lower levels and keep the body healthy. This may be one of the reasons why folic acid helps lower migraine attack frequency.

Folate may also fight depression and help with heart health (also related to homocysteine levels), two things that many migraine patients are concerned about.

Great sources of vitamin B9/folate can be found in:

• Beef liver
• Spinach
• Cowpeas/black-eyed peas
• Asparagus
• Romaine lettuce
• Avacado
• Broccoli

For a longer list, check out Folate: Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet

By the way, dark chocolate is also a source of folate. In case you needed to know that.

For more information:

• Folic acid intake and migraines
• Effects of Dietary Folate Intake on Migraine Disability and Frequency (study abstract)
• Why are Avocados So Healthy To Eat?
• What are the health benefits of folate?