A neurologist and dietitian explain food triggers for migraine

Migraine is considered a moderate-to-severe type of headache that impacts about 16% of the U.S. adult population. Migraine is more common in women of childbearing age and in those with lower socioeconomic status.

Migraine has a strong genetic component, meaning that you are more likely to experience migraine if a close relative has them.

Each individual person with migraine has different triggers which can set off a migraine attack. The sudden onset of a migraine attack can mean calling out of work, missing an important life event, or canceling plans with a loved one.

Identifying clues or patterns that may trigger a migraine attack can help to manage the disease. Common migraine triggers include:

• stress
• too little or too much sleep
• hormonal shifts
• changes in weather
• caffeine, alcohol, and water intake

Diet and food choices can also be a migraine trigger in some people.

In this article, Jillian Kubala, a registered dietitian, and Deena Kuruvilla, M.D., a neurologist, explain the link.

Older research found that up to 76% of people with migraine report certain triggers for migraine attacks. However, only some of these triggers are considered “probable” triggers, while others have not yet been proven.

Skipping meals

Skipping meals can trigger a migraine in up to 57% of people who experience the condition.

This is because skipping meals and intentionally fasting causes fluctuations in blood sugar levels, which can trigger migraine in some people.

Research shows that fasting for long periods of time as part of religious practices such as Yom Kippur and Ramadan can trigger migraine or make migraine attacks worse.

Artificial sweeteners

Aspartame is an artificial sweetener considered a “possible” trigger of migraine. Large doses of aspartame between 900 to 3,000 mg per kilogram of body weight per day have been reported to trigger or worsen headaches in people who experience migraine.

This may be because aspartame consumption elevates levels of certain amino acids in the brain, which can inhibit the synthesis and release of neurotransmitters and other regulators of neurophysiological activity. Aspartame may also act as a chemical stressor, leading to the excessive production of free radicals and elevated cortisol levels.

Foods that contain aspartame include sugar-free candies, desserts, and beverages. It’s also a main ingredient in zero-calorie sweeteners like Equal.

Wine

A 2019 study that included 2,197 people with migraine found that red wine was the most common migraine trigger out of all alcoholic beverages. This may be because red wine contains compounds including flavonoid phenolic compounds, which may trigger migraine.

Other foods and drinks

Some other reported triggers include:

• coffee and other caffeinated beverages
• chocolate
• cheese
• foods high in monosodium glutamate (MSG)

However, this does not mean these foods will cause migraine in all people affected by the condition.

For example, a 2020 review of 21 studies found that caffeine and caffeine withdrawal triggered migraine in only a small percentage of the participants, ranging from 2% to 30%. Plus, caffeine may even be helpful in treating acute migraine when used in combination with other pain relievers.

Everyone who experiences migraine is different, and what may trigger a migraine in one person may not have the same effect in another.

According to research, each person with migraine doesn’t have just one trigger that sets off an attack but the perfect storm of severaltriggers.

A combination of personal triggers, such as a lack of sleep, stress, and alcohol intake, can lead to a migraine attack. This combination can look different for each person and even for each individual attack.

Dietary factors likely play a role in different reactions in the brain that can produce migraine. Dietary factors affect how our brain uses glucose, can produce inflammation, and can change the release of chemicals such as serotonin.

Common food items which can trigger migraine attacks include:

• caffeine
• chocolate
• cheese
• milk
• alcohol
• nuts
• citrus fruits
• processed meats
• monosodium glutamate
• aspartame

A large 2020 study from Stanford University found that people with migraine did not have regular thrice-per-day mealtimes, compared to people without migraine. Skipping meals/fasting was a common trigger noted in this study. So was alcohol. The most common alcohol-related trigger was red wine.

I am also often asked about specific migraine diets. There are several books out there claiming to heal migraine disease by sticking to a specific diet, but often these recommendations are not based on solid research.

There are a few diets that have shown some benefit with managing migraine disease. These include:

• low fat diet
• ketogenic diet
• Atkins diet
• low sodium diet

However, diet is just one piece of the bigger puzzle. — Deena Kuruvilla, M.D.

Try to eat regularly. Eating every 3–4 hours or so may help reduce migraine occurrence. If you notice that going long periods without eating or skipping meals triggers migraine, try adding in snacks or small meals rich in protein and fiber in between your main meals to see if this helps decrease migraine attacks.

Add protein and fiber to meals and snacks. This can keep blood sugar levels steady while keeping you satiated between meals.

Restrict or avoid alcohol. Some people may be able to pinpoint certain alcoholic beverages that trigger or worsen migraine while others may notice that all types of alcohol are likely to trigger a migraine attack.

Identify food triggers. Foods and beverages that contain aspartame, MSG, and caffeine may trigger migraine in some people. Also, foods like chocolate, milk, cheese, and nuts have been reported as potential migraine triggers. Keeping a food and symptom journal can help you identify possible dietary migraine triggers.

Try elimination. If you notice that you constantly get migraine attacks after eating a specific food or drinking a specific beverage, consider eliminating the product from your diet for a few weeks to see if headaches improve.

Drink more water. This has been shown to be a simple, yet effective tool for reducing migraine frequency and severity.

Working with a dietitian to adjust dietary patterns

Research shows that following certain dietary patterns may be beneficial for people who have migraine.

For example, a 2020 review found that low-glycemic diets, low fat diets, the ketogenic diet, and certain elimination diets may help reduce migraine occurrence and severity in those with migraine. Gluten-free diets are appropriate for those who have celiac disease or non-celiac gluten intolerance.

However, although some diets may be helpful, certain dietary patterns may not be appropriate for everyone. Every person who experiences migraine is different and may have different triggers, dietary needs, and underlying health issues.

Rather than trying a restrictive diet or eliminating foods on your own, try working with a qualified healthcare professional like a registered dietitian to develop a diet and lifestyle plan that is specific to your health needs and symptoms.

In addition to dietary changes, people who experience migraine may consider taking certain dietary supplements.

For example, studies show that people with migraine are more likely to have low levels of vitamin B12, vitamin D, and magnesium and that supplementation with these and other nutrients, like CoQ10, may help reduce migraine occurrence and severity.

If you’re interested in getting tested for nutrient deficiencies, ask your doctor to perform a blood test. Your doctor or a registered dietitian can help you decide which supplements may be the right choice for your needs. — Jillian Kubala

While it is helpful to identify specific triggers, there is no substitute for taking a whole body approach to migraine. Managing specific triggers, leading a healthy lifestyle, and discussing preventive and as-needed treatments with your doctor are all necessary to manage the disease effectively.

While specific food triggers may exist, eliminating them does not necessarily mean that migraine will be prevented.

Ultimately, migraine is a disease that results from genetic and environmental factors and will naturally fluctuate over one’s lifetime. Typically a combination of several triggers can create the stage for a migraine attack to occur. — Deena Kuruvilla, M.D.

Jillian Kubala is a registered dietitian based in Westhampton, NY. She holds a master’s degree in nutrition from Stony Brook University School of Medicine as well as an undergraduate degree in nutrition science. She is a nutrition writer and medical advisor for Healthline, Greatist, and Medical News Today. Jillian also runs a private practice based on the east end of Long Island, NY, where she helps her clients achieve optimal wellness through nutrition and lifestyle changes. She has a backyard farm and is passionate about growing nutritious food and supporting local agriculture.

Deena E. Kuruvilla, M.D., is a board certified neurologist, headache specialist and Director of the Westport Headache Institute. She has served as an assistant professor and associate program director for the Headache fellowship at the Yale School of Medicine. Dr. Kuruvilla’s research and clinical work has been widely featured in the press, including Prevention Magazine, Neurology Today, the Hartford Courant, and the Wall Street Journal..

Can Eating Carbs and Sugar Cause Headaches?

Eat|Why Do Carbs Give Me Headaches?

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/26/well/eat/carbs-sugar-headaches-migraines.html

Q: Why do carbs and sugar give me headaches?

It’s common for people to notice a headache coming on after eating certain foods, and foods high in sugar or refined carbohydrates, like a slice of chocolate cake or a bowl of pasta, are among the usual suspects. Such food triggers are often reported by people who have migraines, said Dr. Peter Goadsby, a professor of neurology at King’s College London and the University of California, Los Angeles. “The person that’s asking this question, pounds to pennies, has migraine,” he said, particularly if certain foods seem to be repeat triggers and their headaches are bothersome enough to wonder about it.

Unlike the more common, tension-type headaches most people get from time to time, migraine headaches — which affect an estimated 18 percent of women and 6 percent of men each year in the United States — are much more debilitating, said Dr. Rashmi Halker Singh, an associate professor of neurology and a headache medicine specialist at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Ariz. People with migraine have recurring episodes of moderate or severe headaches, often accompanied by symptoms like nausea or light sensitivity, which can interfere with normal activities, Dr. Halker Singh said. And many people don’t realize the headaches they have are actually migraines, she added.

In one review of studies published in 2018, researchers concluded that nearly 30 percent of patients reported that certain foods or eating habits triggered their headaches. But recent research by Dr. Goadsby and others suggests that it’s most likely not the foods that cause migraines, but rather it’s the migraines that cause people to eat certain foods. And evidence for this counterintuitive explanation may lie in the brain.

During the initial stage of a migraine attack — called the premonitory or prodrome phase, which can begin a few hours to days before the headache phase hits — people may experience symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, mood changes, light sensitivity, muscle stiffness, yawning and increased urination, Dr. Goadsby said.

During this time, he added, brain imaging studies have shown that the hypothalamus, a region of the brain that regulates hunger, is activated, causing people to want — and eat — certain foods. “It is pretty clear that this area is changing in its activity before the pain starts,” he said. What a person reaches for in response is often carbohydrate-rich and highly palatable, though the exact food varies from person to person. Some people want savory or salty snacks, while others crave sweets and chocolate, Dr. Goadsby said.

Then, after they’ve indulged their craving and the headache phase of the migraine begins, it’s natural for people to wonder if something they ate contributed to the pain, Dr. Halker Singh said. “Sometimes people come in and tell me, ‘I had some chocolate, and soon after that, my migraine attack started,’” leading them to guess that the chocolate itself triggered the headache. But what also could have happened, she said, “is that maybe the craving for chocolate was actually the start of the migraine.”

Chocolate is among the most reported food triggers for migraines, but in one review of studies published in the journal Nutrients in 2020, researchers concluded that there wasn’t enough evidence to say that chocolate can cause migraines. In the above scenario, Dr. Goadsby said, the person would have probably gotten a headache whether they ate the chocolate or not. So if you’re craving a treat during the early stages of a headache, he said, it’s fine to enjoy it.

If you often get food cravings before migraine headaches, it’s still a good idea to take note of them, along with other prodrome phase symptoms, so you can prepare for what’s coming. You might use that time to find your migraine medication and opt for an early bedtime, for example, rather than going out for drinks, Dr. Goadsby said. “If people understand their disorder better, they can adjust what they’re going to do so they don’t set themselves up for a crash,” he said.

Margaret Slavin, an associate professor of nutrition and food studies at George Mason University, said that foods high in sugar or refined carbohydrates can also cause blood sugar to spike, leading to “an outsized insulin response.” Insulin helps normalize blood sugar, but too much insulin can overshoot the goal, leading to low blood sugar. This condition is called reactive hypoglycemia, and a headache is one of its symptoms, along with feeling weak, shaky, tired and lightheaded.

For people who get migraines, it’s also possible that regularly following a diet high in refined sugar and processed carbohydrates might increase inflammation levels in their body and make them more susceptible to attacks, Dr. Slavin said. There is some limited research to support this idea, and it may be worth trying to cut back on added sugar in favor of anti-inflammatory foods like fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans, whole grains and fish. (Since research on the link between diet and headache is limited, Dr. Slavin noted, there isn’t enough evidence to recommend specific diets that prevent migraines.)

Skipping meals and fasting are also commonly reported migraine triggers, so Dr. Halker Singh advises her patients to eat regular, nutritious meals, in addition to getting enough sleep, exercising regularly and managing stress.

There has been significant progress in understanding and treating migraines in recent years, Dr. Halker Singh said. “There’s an explosion of new treatments in this field, and we have a lot of hope to offer people,” she said. “If you feel like you’re having significant problems from a headache, sugar related or not, I think you should probably consider being evaluated.”

Alice Callahan is a health and science journalist.

A version of this article appears in print on  , Section D, Page 6 of the New York edition. Order Reprints | Today’s Paper | Subscribe

90,000 neurologist called the products provoking the headache

https://ria.ru/20220626/migren -1798160163.html

The neurologist named the neuro

Neerologist named the products provoking headache – RIA Novosti, 26.06.06.2012222222222222222

Neurologist named foods that provoke headaches

People who suffer from migraine should limit the use of certain foods that provoke headaches, warned in … RIA Novosti, 06/26/2022 9pain 02 health – society

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MOSCOW, June 26 – RIA Novosti. People who suffer from migraines should limit the use of certain foods that provoke headaches, neurologist Pavel Khoroshev warned in an interview with Sputnik radio. According to medical statistics, every seventh person in the world complains about migraine attacks. In some cases, this malaise is caused by dietary habits, Khoroshev believes. According to him, there is an assumption that eating fatty meat can provoke migraine attacks. A vegetarian diet helps some patients improve their condition, the neurologist noted. “Fatty meat is questionable. If a person is prone to severe migraine attacks, he can try a vegetarian diet. a strong migraine-provoking factor,” Khoroshev explained. Certain drinks, such as red wine, coffee and tea, are much more likely to cause migraine attacks, he continued. “People suffering from migraines should limit their alcohol intake. than other types of alcoholic beverages. In addition, frequent migraine provocateurs are all products containing caffeine: energy drinks, coffee, tea, “Khoroshev said. The use of cheese, chocolate and some food additives can also lead to headaches, he specified. “And all kinds of cheese. One of the most important migraine provocateurs is chocolate. The sweetener aspartame and the flavor enhancer glutamate can also cause migraine attacks,” Pavel Khoroshev added in an interview with Sputnik radio.

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society, pain, health – society

Society, pain, Health – Society

MOSCOW, June 26 – RIA Novosti. People who suffer from migraines should limit their use of certain foods that provoke headaches, neurologist Pavel Khoroshev warned in an interview with Sputnik radio.

According to medical statistics, every seventh person in the world complains of migraine attacks. In some cases, this malaise is caused by dietary habits, Khoroshev believes. According to him, there is an assumption that eating fatty meat can provoke migraine attacks. A vegetarian diet helps some patients improve their condition, the neurologist noted.

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“Fatty meat is a question. If a person is prone to severe migraine attacks, he can try a vegetarian diet. Studies show that this brings relief to some patients. But fatty meat is not the strongest migraine trigger”, Khoroshev explained.

Certain drinks, such as red wine, coffee and tea, are much more likely to cause migraine attacks, he continued.

“People suffering from migraines should limit their alcohol intake. Moreover, red wine provokes attacks more than other types of alcoholic beverages. In addition, frequent migraine provocateurs are all products containing caffeine: energy drinks, coffee, tea,” said Khoroshev.

Eating cheese, chocolate and some food additives can also cause headaches, he said.

“And all types of cheese. One of the most important migraine provocateurs is chocolate. The sweetener aspartame and the flavor enhancer glutamate can also cause migraine attacks,” Pavel Khoroshev added in an interview with Sputnik radio.

Top cause of headaches in summer identified0001

Agree, prevention is always better than cure. There are many studies proving that nutrition can play a huge role in headache prevention. Migraine attacks can be triggered by many factors, from hormonal and emotional to physical and environmental factors. Although the set of these triggers varies from person to person, one of the main factors is dietary: migraine patients usually have an attack if they skip, delay or irregularly eat food, or suffer from excessive dehydration. Therefore, you can try eliminating a few foods from your diet to avoid more migraines.

It is worth starting the experiment by keeping a headache diary. Write down all the information about seizures and what you eat and drink. Remember to note stress, prolonged lack of food intake, and other possible causes of discomfort. This will help you build a complete picture and evaluate which products are right for you and which are not. Eliminate one product at a time, and it’s best not to aim for an entire category. Give your body time to adjust—weeks or even months—to continue moving up the list. It is also worth contacting a dietitian to help you choose a balanced diet, saturated with all the necessary substances. You can target an anti-inflammatory diet high in omega-3s, antioxidants from fruits and vegetables, and healthy spices like ginger and turmeric, as well as a low-glycemic diet.

About 20 percent of headaches are thought to be caused by food sensitivities, with the most commonly cited food triggers being: and causes headaches. Don’t forget that this also applies to green tea. Replace caffeinated drinks with herbal teas.

White bread and pastries

Studies have shown that a low glycemic diet is effective in combating migraines. It involves avoiding white bread and pastries, chocolate, honey, and other natural and man-made sugars, including sweet fruits. Try to start with flour.

Chocolate

Sweets with a high sugar content are best replaced with organic dark chocolate, dosed modestly.

Peanuts

It is noted that peanut butter has a similar effect.

Almonds

By the way, not only peanuts and almonds, but also other nuts are often included in the risk group, so we recommend that you monitor their effect on the body.

Some Cheeses

These include Cheddar, English Stilton, Feta, Brie, Blue Cheese Variations, Gorgonzola, Mozzarella, Muenster, Parmesan.

Processed meats

E.g. bacon, sausages, salami, ham. All of them contain sulfites and (or) nitrates, which adversely affects well-being.

Citrus fruits

Most often fall into the risk group – and not only as allergens.

While many diets suggest replacing fast carbs with beans, take this idea with caution and pay close attention to how legumes affect your well-being.

Alcoholic beverages

Like coffee and black tea, alcohol dehydrates the body and causes migraines. It is believed that red wine and beer are more likely to provoke headaches.

Foods with added monosodium glutamate

Monosodium glutamate, or MSG, is found naturally in some foods like tomatoes and cheese, while others are added to enhance flavor. Other artificial flavor enhancers like aspartame (a sugar substitute also known as E951) have the same effect. It is best to eliminate all processed foods and foods high in sugar from your diet.

Fatty and salty foods

Pay close attention to the ingredients of purchased sauces and ready-to-eat foods, as they often contain a lot of sugar and salt. Refrain from eating large amounts of fatty foods and try to avoid frying.

What to include in your diet:

Studies have shown the effectiveness of including eggs, asparagus, carrots, all green vegetables, sweet potatoes, quinoa, lentils, spinach, kale and arugula in your daily menu.