Soy isoflavones decrease frequency and duration of migraine attacks in women

A randomized controlled trial of reproductive-age women prone to migraines has shown soy isoflavones supplementation to be effective at reducing the frequency and duration of migraine attacks.

Migraine is a highly burdensome disease affecting approximately 15 percent of world population, with prevalence three times higher in females than in males. [Neurol Clin 2019;37:631-649; Lancet Neurol 2017;16:76-87] Although its pathophysiology is still largely unknown, inflammation is thought to play a role, supported by reports of elevated cytokine and inflammatory mediator levels in migraine sufferers. [Nat Rev Neurol 2019;15:483-490] These, in turn, have been shown to stimulate calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) transcription, which leads to dilatation of peripheral and cerebral blood vessels. [Schmerz (Berlin, Germany) 2020;34:181-187] Indeed, animal research and human studies have found that CGRP is released during migraines and its exogenous administration might provoke migraine symptoms. [Innov Clin Neurosci 2020;17:39-40]

Other evidence, including greater frequency of migraine attacks at the end of the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle when oestrogen levels are at their lowest, suggests a relationship between oestrogen levels and migraine pathogenesis. In view of the reported effects of soy isoflavones on oestrogen levels, present study aimed to investigate the effects of soy isoflavones supplementation on migraine headache characteristics, mental status, quality of life and CGRP concentration in adult reproductive-age women. [Nutr J 2022;doi:10.1186/s12937-022-00802-z]

Patients in the intervention group (n=44; mean age, 34 years) received one tablet containing 50 mg isoflavones daily for 8 weeks, while placebo group (n=44; mean age, 36 years) received starch tablets with similar weight and appearance to intervention tablets. Participants were required to discontinue any inflammatory or contraceptive drug taking ≥3 months before the study.

At the end of the 8-week trial, the soy isoflavones group experienced a significant reduction in migraine attack frequency (mean change, 2.36 vs 0.43 fewer attacks per month; p<0.001) and attack duration (mean change, -2.50 vs -0.02 hours; p<0.001). At the same time, the supplement did not have a significant impact on migraine severity vs placebo.

In spite of not having a significant impact on mental status vs placebo, soy isoflavones supplementation resulted in a significant increase in migraine quality of life score (mean change, 16.76 vs 2.52; p<0.001). In addition, patients receiving the supplement experienced a significantly greater reduction in CGRP levels vs placebo group (mean change, -12.18 ng/L vs -8.62 ng/L; p=0.002.)

“Soy isoflavones supplementation may be considered as a complementary treatment to reduce migraine attack frequency and duration in reproductive-age adult women,” concluded the researchers.