Nestlé spotlights keto supplements as natural alternative for migraines in virtual study

19 Nov 2021 --- Nestlé Health Science (NHSc) is exploring the effectiveness of its ketogenic nutritional supplements on reducing migraines.

“The advantage of a ketogenic supplement is that it would represent a more natural, nutritional option for migraine relief, with a mode of action complementary to current approved treatments,” Bernard Cuenoud, global science lead, translation research at NHSc, tells NutritionInsight.

The study aims to investigate the effectiveness of a NHSc-developed ketogenic nutritional supplement in reducing the number, intensity and duration of migraines in people with episodic migraines.

Spotlight on ketones
The keto diet has been growing in popularity, with 8% of US consumers saying they have followed a ketogenic diet, according to Innova Market Insights. 

“Ketones can provide an additional source of brain energy. Because brain energy is disrupted in migraine sufferers, we’re exploring how a ketogenic supplement can affect this,” underscores Cuenoud. 

Though the study is still at the clinical trial stage, there’s a possibility the supplements could offer a new preventive option for people with episodic migraines.

“From a clinical efficacy perspective, a positive outcome would allow us to provide a medical nutrition option to complement current acute and preventive treatments. From a nutrition science standpoint, there are still many things to learn about how nutrition (in this case, a ketogenic supplement) can affect a variety of health concerns,” notes Cuenoud.Ketogenic supplements could potentially be an alternative to painkillers for people with migraines. 

Revolutionizing research with mobile health
This is the company’s first randomized clinical trial carried out fully remotely for central nervous system conditions. It has been approved in Quebec, Canada, with scientific and regulatory support from the food and nutrition group within Intertek Assuris. 

The study is powered by a dedicated module within the Migraine Buddy app developed by Healint. The Clinical Research Unit at Nestlé R&D is managing the trial and the clinical operations activities are being executed by DIEX Recherche.

“This virtual study will increase our ability to reach a broader, more inclusive patient population and to make it easier for patients to participate,” highlights Cuenoud. 

Pandemic accelerates digital solutions
Carrying out research remotely offers a slew of future opportunities, underlines Nestlé.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need and benefit for clinical trials to go fully virtual. There are multiple cost efficiencies and benefits to a fully remote clinical trial that technology platforms like Migraine Buddy can facilitate,” says François Cadiou, CEO of Healint.

“We firmly believe that mobile health has the potential to revolutionize the way clinical studies are delivered,” he adds. 

The digital platform allows participants in Quebec to be screened, recruited and tracked in real-time across the five-month study, all from a single, easy-to-use, virtual interface, according to Nestlé.

Utilizing digital resources also reduces the risk of human errors associated with traditional paper-based records and increases the speed of data capture and cleaning, adds the company. Research is ongoing in trying to find ways to tackle migraines.

Tackling migraines
According to Nestlé, migraines are the sixth most disabling illness in the world, which affect around a billion people worldwide.

“More than half of all migraine sufferers are never diagnosed, while 15% of those diagnosed with migraine experience more than five attacks per month,” notes the company. 

A migraine is characterized by a moderate to severe headache and is often accompanied by nausea, vomiting and photophobia, outlines Nestlé.

Exploring the link between nutrition and migraines
A new US study has also flagged that adopting a plant-based diet high in dark green leafy vegetables could ease symptoms of chronic migraines. 

Researchers focused on a man suffering from migraines for 12 years and tracked the changes after he adopted a Low Inflammatory Foods Everyday (LIFE) diet. He ate a nutrient-dense, whole-food, plant-based diet. 

According to the findings published in BMJ, after two months, the frequency of the man’s migraines had fallen to one day a month and were less severe. After three months, his migraines stopped completely and have not returned in seven and a half years, notes the study.

As scientists continue to explore how to tackle migraines, the potential of probiotics has also been spotlighted as researchers delve more into studying the microbiome.  

A published study on ADM’s Bio-Kul supplement containing 14 strains of “gut-friendly” bacteria was shown to significantly reduce both the frequency and severity of migraine headaches in adults. 

By Andria Kades