Nutrition and Migraine Management
Over three million Americans suffer from chronic migraine pain.1 Since May is Women’s Health Month and the majority of migraine sufferers are women, now is the perfect time to discuss this subject.
What exactly is a migraine? Most experts will describe a migraine as a hyperreactive disorder of the brain which is usually genetically based. This disabling hypersensitivity condition then activates an electrical phenomenon in the migraine center of the brain, known as the trigeminalvascular system. This can produce a multitude of brain cerebral symptoms such as aura, cognitive changes, nausea, heightened sensitivity to all sensations and intense pain, along with a multitude of other discomforts.2 What causes a migraine? The migraine brain is hyper excitable to ordinary stimuli and these stimuli, also known as migraine triggers, can vary with each individual. This includes stress, weather, environment and often the food that you eat.3
Most people with migraine will describe food related triggers.4 Although these food triggers have been attributed to chocolate, wine, alcohol or a food additive, such as the food chemical monosodium glutamate (MSG), this is not always the case. Some will describe very healthy foods as food triggers, such as garlic, orange juice or turmeric. In addition, the actual chemical in a suspected food can be difficult to determine. An example would be chocolate, which contains not just cocoa but other components such as dairy, tannins, and emulsifiers like lecithin or sodium benzoic acid. As a result, these food triggers can be quite challenging and frustrating to detect.
When looking at a food allergy as a cause of migraine the research has found very little correlation, which has left many disregarding their diet as a therapeutic tool in migraine management.5 However, food sensitivity which looks at different cells other than immunoglobin E (IgE) mediated food allergy has shown more promise in helping people with migraine. Small studies and clinical experience with providers have shown much better correlation of migraine with adverse food reactions, looking at non IgE mediated reactions.6
Although many migraines can be relieved with medications, there are many reasons why this may not be an option to you. They can be cost prohibitive, have side effects, or possibly have been ineffective in your treatment process. Learn more about migraine pain and ways to identify food, food chemicals that impact migraines. Learn about the tools available to help you determine your triggers. In addition, learn which nutrients contribute to decreasing hyper-sensitivity of the brain and migraine activation. Through learning about the nutritional impacts of diet and nutrients you can lessen your triggers, obtain better control over your migraines and potentially lesson or omit your medicinal treatment.
References
1. 2019; Available from: www.migraineresearchfoundation.org.
2. Migraine Information Page 2018; Available from: https:// www.ninds.nih.gove/Disorders/All-Disorders/Migraineinformation-
page.
3. Schwedt, T., Multisensory Integration in Migraine Curr Opin Neurol, 2013. Jun, 26((3)): p. 248-253.
4. Fukui P, G.T., Strabelli G et al Trigger factors in migraine patients. Arg Neuropsiquiatr, 2008. Sept (66)(3A): p. 494-499.
5. Amlot, P.L., et al., Oral allergy syndrome (OAS): symptoms of IgE-mediated hypersensitivity to foods. Clin Allergy, 1987. 17(1): p. 33-42.
6. Pradalier, A., et al., Total IgE, specific IgE and pricktests against foods in common migraine--a prospective study. Cephalalgia, 1983. 3(4): p. 231-4.
Joan Brookhyser Hogan is a Registered Dietitian. She is a frequent speaker and writer on the subject of nutrition, food sensitivity, nutrigenetic testing and neurological disease. She recently published the book Nutrition for the Ailing Brain. As a clinical dietitian for over 35 years, she has extensive experience in teaching and implementing nutritional programs for health and disease management. She currently provides nutrition counseling through her private practice Food 4 Life. Learn more at www.Food4LifeCounseling.com.






