ABSTRACT

Considering the importance of migraine as the seventh cause of disability globally, this study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of fish oil and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) on migraine. In this review article, we included all clinical trials and review articles from four databases (Pubmed, the Cochrane database of systematic reviews, Scopus, and Clinicalkey), published from January 1, 1990, to August 7, 2018, in which the treatment effects of fish oil or PUFA for the prevention or control of migraine attacks, either in basic science or clinical field, have been studied. At first, 54 articles or book chapters were found, and after reviewing their study design, 13 clinical trials and review articles were included in the study. Most of reviewed articles, including five clinical trials and four review articles, represented the positive impact of fish oil and omega-3 PUFA for improvement in frequency, intensity, or duration of migraine headache; however, a definite daily dosage and duration of treatment have not been defined. Although the evidence that supports the positive impact of fish oil and PUFA in the prevention and control of migraine is frequent, more evidence and longitudinal study designs are required to confirm the positive impact of fish oil on migraine. Furthermore, research is needed to define an appropriate daily dosage and treatment duration of fish oil and PUFA in migraine patients.