Associations between dietary intake of mitochondria-related nutrients with the risk of migraine.

Associations between dietary intake of mitochondria-related nutrients with the risk of migraine: a prospective study of 202,656 participants.

Zhongyan Shan, Mei Liu, Li Zhang, Yuanchao Zhang, W W Huang, Li Yang, Zhi-Xiong J Xiao

J Headache Pain

Nov 11, 2025

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have indicated that mitochondrial dysfunction contributed to migraine development, yet the links between dietary intake of mitochondria-related nutrients and migraine risk haven't been explored in prospective cohort studies. METHODS: Data from 202,656 UK Biobank participants were used to explore associations between dietary intake of mitochondria-related nutrients, including magnesium, riboflavin (vitamin B2), thiamine (vitamin B1), niacin (vitamin B3), vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and folate (vitamin B9), with migraine risk. For analysis, Cox proportional hazards models, subgroup analyses, sensitivity analyses, and restricted cubic spline plots were used. RESULTS: After a median follow-up of 13.25 years, 1844 (0.9%) participants developed migraines. Those with migraines had substantially lower intakes of mitochondrial-related nutrients. In multivariable Cox regression, each 1SD increase in niacin intake was linked to a 3% migraine risk reduction (HR: 0.97; 95% CI: 0.94-0.99; p = 0.010*), as was each 1SD increase in vitamin B12 intake showed a 4% risk reduction (HR: 0.96; 95% CI: 0.93-0.99; p = 0.040*). Subgroup analyses showed no interactions between nutrient intakes and gender or age. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the stability of these associations. Significant nonlinear and negative associations between magnesium, niacin, and vitamin B12 with migraine were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Higher dietary intake of mitochondrial-related nutrients was associated with a reduced risk of migraine, with niacin and vitamin B12 showing the most stable protective effects. Our study suggests that adjusting dietary intake of mitochondria-related nutrients may offer a promising strategy for the prevention and management of migraine.