Background: Previous studies have revealed that an antioxidant diet is a protective factor against migraine. However, the association between zinc, an important antioxidant obtained from the diet, and migraine has received little attention. The purpose of this study was to explore the association between zinc intake with migraine.
Methods: The present study used cross-sectional data from individuals who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) between 1999 and 2004. Logistic regression models and restricted cubic spline models were performed to explore the association between zinc intake and migraine.
Results: A total of 9849 adults aged 20 years or older were included in this study. Zinc intake was negatively associated with migraine. Compared to participants in the lowest group of dietary zinc intake Q1 (≤5.93 mg/day), the adjusted ORs for migraine in Q2 (5.94-8.38 mg/day), Q3 (8.39-11.26 mg/day), Q4 (11.27-15.75 mg/day), and Q5 (≥15.76 mg/day) were 0.73 (95% CI: 0.60-0.89, p = 0.004), 0.72 (95% CI: 0.55-0.95, p = 0.02), 0.76 (95% CI: 0.58-0.99, p = 0.04) and 0.73 (95% CI: 0.50-1.05, p = 0.08), respectively. Our findings also suggested an interaction between zinc intake and age (P for interaction = 0.007). Additionally, the relationship between zinc intake and migraine in adults with 20-50 years was non-linear.
Conclusions: A higher zinc intake is significantly associated with a decreased prevalence of migraine, and age can modify the association between them.
Keywords: Dietary zinc intake; NHANES; age; cross-sectional study; interaction effect; migraine; restricted cubic spline; severe headache.