The effects of a unique medium chain triglyceride complex on migraine symptoms: A beta pilot study
1 Medical Program Director, Colorado Center for Health & Sport Science, Denver, Colorado, USA.
2 Clinical Professor of Surgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA.
3 Independent MCT Researcher & Investigator, Bloomfield, Connecticut, USA.
Research Article
World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2020, 08(03), 175-183
Article DOI: 10.30574/wjarr.2020.8.3.0479
Publication history:
Received on 05 December 2020; revised on 12 December 2020; accepted on 14 December 2020
Abstract:
Purpose: Migraine headaches are among the most common worldwide medical issues, and various drug therapies only offer limited relief. Medium chain triglyceride (MCT) oil has demonstrated clinical benefits in multiple domains, from enhanced overall energy to increased brain function. This pilot study investigated the potential relief provided from a unique proprietary formulation, including a high concentration MCT-containing blend on migraine frequency, duration, and severity over 30 days.
Methods: Fourteen (n=14) chronic migraine sufferers (migraineurs) were prospectively selected to participate in the open-label trial of this patented complex. Participants were instructed to maintain a consistent lifestyle, health factors, and medications while consuming the study compound. Because of the current Corona virus pandemic, the original paper version of the migraine survey was converted to an electronic response form to allow subjects increased safety in rating episodes and symptoms.
Results: Overall, the subjects reduced the number of migraine episodes by 39% from the baseline period compared to after 30 days of using the supplement. The average episode duration decreased from 388 minutes to 152 minutes, a 61% reduction. Days/events missed due to migraine severity or complications were reduced from five per month to two per month, a decrease of 60%. A combined measure of specific symptoms also decreased according to subject rating, by an average of 32%.
Conclusion: In this beta pilot study, consumption of a high concentration MCT complex produced significant improvements in migraine symptoms in the three significant episode realms of frequency, duration, and lost days due to dysfunction. In addition, migraine symptom surveys can be converted to electronic record keeping, a benefit for both the patient and the clinician. These outcomes have provided further impetus to pursue a rigorous study of specific MCT products to reduce migraine symptoms. A formal confirmatory placebo-controlled trial has been initiated.
Keywords:
Migraine; medium chain triglyceride; MCT; headache; Onabotulinum toxin A; serotonin; metabolism; pain; ketones; ketogenic; migraine prevention; 3-hydroxybutyrate.
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Copyright © 2020 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article. This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Liscense 4.0