Migraines can cause a strong pulsing pain or a feeling of pulsation, usually occurring on one side of the head. They are often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and sound. Migraine attacks can last hours or days and the pain might be so strong that it interrupts daily life.
There are many causes for migraines such as hormonal changes in women, estrogen fluctuations for example before or during menstruation, pregnancy, menopause while taking oral hormonal medications (contraceptives), Hormone Replacement Therapy, alcohol, too much caffeine, stress, lack of sleep, sensory stimuli, intensive physical activity, weather change or atmospheric pressure changes, and the most important cause DIET.
Diet, as well as nutrition, have an important impact on brain functioning
Some products such as Ripened cheeses, processed foods (preservative, monosodium glutamate- MSG, sweeteners) and many more causes associated with your diet may contribute to migraines.
There are plenty of clinical and laboratory studies that connect the defective metabolism and migraines. There is plenty of scientific data showing ketosis in a ketogenic diet can protect against migraines. In one study, the ketogenic diet lowered the intensity of migraines and the administration of medications to 80% in 96 patients with migraines (dr. Lorenzo 2015). In an additional study, it was proven that the ketogenic diet decreases the number of migraine days by 62.5% in 18 patients who experienced episodic migraines.
The researchers from Italy studied the influence of diet on migraine attacks in obese people. The participants tried out two different low-calorie diets. After a month of the ketogenic diet, the participants noted “fewer migraine days.” The authors of the study even suggested that the ketogenic diet brings more benefits in a fight against migraines than medicines.
How does the ketogenic diet work?
During a ketogenic diet, your body takes energy from fatty acids, more precisely ketones. Every element of ketone creates more energy than glucose, with lower oxidative stress, thanks to that, the cells work more efficiently. The presence of the ketone bodies is associated with decreased inflammation and neuroinflammation, stopped oxidative stress (which leads to a decreased number of free radicals) in neurons.
One of the theories behind the advantageous use of the ketogenic diet in migraines is that it limits processed foods, including products with monosodium glutamate. It was also noted that insulin levels were lower. This diet lowers the concentration of sugar and insulin in the blood.
The ketogenic diet, at first was created to heal Light Sensitive Epilepsy in 1921; however, its benefits were recorded in other neurological diseases. The first study about the ketogenic diet and migraines appeared in 1928. In the 1920s, it was recognized that lower carbohydrate consumption was beneficial in the fight against migraines.
Knowing all the facts, it can be said that the use of the ketogenic diet is very logical. There are many causes of migraines, but ketone bodies affect many causes: incorrect metabolism, incorrect glucose transportation, incorrect mitochondrial activity, oxidative stress, inflammation. Ketosis created by diet is safe and without negative side effects. You can read more about the ketogenic diet here:
https://healthyasabirch.com/health/ketogenic-diet-eat-fats-and-lose-weight/
https://healthyasabirch.com/health/introduction-to-dieting/
There are many natural remedies to fight migraines. They will usually require you to change your lifestyle. Sometimes, serious dehydration can cause migraines. Drinking water with salt, every day and throughout the day may replenish this deficit and keep your body hydrated. It is also worth checking out. However, as this article has proven, the ketogenic diet is worth trying if you are experiencing migraines.
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