Dosing effects of omega-3 fatty acid interventions in adults with migraine: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials
Abstract
To evaluate the clinical effects and safety of omega-3 fatty acid dietary and supplemental interventions for the prevention of migraine in adults, considering subgroups according to dosing and migraine subtypes.
Migraine is a highly prevalent and disabling neurological disorder worldwide, with multifactorial pathophysiology and limited understanding of its underlying biological mechanisms. Given the role of diet in migraine modulation and the involvement of omega-3 fatty acids in pain-related inflammatory pathways, their therapeutic potential as migraine prophylactic remains to be clarified.
A systematic search in Cochrane Central-Ovid, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science (November 2025) identified randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on omega-3 or omega-6 supplementation in adults with migraine. The primary outcomes included monthly headache days, daily headache hours, pain intensity, headache impact (HIT-6 and MIDAS), and adverse events. A random-effects model estimated the mean differences (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI), and the certainty of evidence was assessed using GRADE.
Ten RCTs on omega-3 interventions were found, with two evaluating omega-3-rich diets and others using doses of 1–6 g/day. No studies assessed omega-6. Overall, omega-3 interventions reduced daily headache hours (MD:1.74, 95% CI: −2.29 to −1.19 and monthly headache days (MD:-2.39 days; 95% CI: −3.78 to −1.00) but did not reduce pain intensity. It improved MIDAS (MD: −12.88, 95% CI: −18.36 to…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a meta-analysis, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid. Reported size: 6 participants or records.
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