Suffering From Headaches? Making These Diet Changes May Help
Posted by Kayla Phillips on
If you are suffering from constant headaches, then a change in your diet plan may help reduce the constant throbbing pain, according to a new study. You might want to cut down on junk food as a new study showed how a change in diet based on certain classes of fatty acids decreased headaches in patients over a 16-week period.
Migraine is one of the largest causes of disability in the world. Existing treatments are often not enough to offer full relief for patients. This study demonstrated additional options patients can use in their effort to experience fewer migraines and headaches – a change in diet.
“Our ancestors ate very different amounts and types of fats compared to our modern diets,” said co-first author Daisy Zamora, PhD, assistant professor in the UNC Department of Psychiatry in the UNC School of Medicine.
“Polyunsaturated fatty acids, which our bodies do not produce, have increased substantially in our diet due to the addition of oils such as corn, soybean and cottonseed to many processed foods like chips, crackers and granola,” added Zamora.
The classes of polyunsaturated fatty acids examined in this study are omega-6 (n-6) and omega-3 (n-3). Both have important functions within our body but need to be in balance, as n-3 fatty acids have been shown to decrease inflammation and some derivatives of n-6 have been shown to promote pain.
However, due to the amount of processed food consumed today, most people in Barbados are eating more n-6 and fewer n-3 fatty acids.
To see whether the amount of these fatty acids in a person’s diet could impact pain from headaches, 182 patients currently diagnosed with and seeking treatment for migraines were enrolled in this randomized, controlled trial, led by Doug Mann, MD, professor of Neurology and Internal Medicine in the UNC School of Medicine.
In addition to their current treatments, patients adhered to one of three diets for 16 weeks: a control diet that maintained the average amount of n-6 and n-3 fatty acids that a person living in the U.S. consumes, a diet that increased n-3 and maintained n-6 fatty acids, and a diet that increased n-3 and decreased n-6 fatty acids.
Participants were provided with 2/3 of their daily food requirements and were also given an electronic diary to record how many hours each day they had headache pain.
“Participants seemed highly motivated to follow these diets due to the amount of pain they were experiencing,” said Beth MacIntosh, MPH, RD, clinical nutrition manager for the UNC Metabolic and Nutrition Research Core.
“The results are quite promising,” Zamora said. “Patients who followed either diet experienced less pain than the control group. Those who followed the diet high in n-3 and low in n-6 fatty acids experienced the biggest improvement.”
“I think this modification in diet could be impactful,” Zamora said. “The effect we saw for the reduction of headaches is similar to what we see with some medications."
Headaches can be a debilitating and frustrating condition, but the good news is that there are several dietary changes that can help reduce the frequency and intensity of headaches. Here are some of the best diets for people suffering from headaches.
1. Low-sodium diet: A low-sodium diet is one of the most effective ways to reduce the frequency and intensity of headaches. Sodium is a common trigger for headaches, so reducing your intake of salty foods can help reduce the frequency and intensity of headaches. Try to limit your sodium intake to no more than 2,300 milligrams per day.
2. Low-fat diet: A low-fat diet can help reduce the frequency and intensity of headaches. Fatty foods can trigger headaches, so reducing your intake of fatty foods can help reduce the frequency and intensity of headaches. Try to limit your fat intake to no more than 20 percent of your total daily calories.
3. Low-sugar diet: A low-sugar diet can help reduce the frequency and intensity of headaches. Sugar can trigger headaches, so reducing your intake of sugary foods can help reduce the frequency and intensity of headaches. Try to limit your sugar intake to no more than 10 percent of your total daily calories.
4. Low-caffeine diet: A low-caffeine diet can help reduce the frequency and intensity of headaches. Caffeine can trigger headaches, so reducing your intake of caffeinated beverages can help reduce the frequency and intensity of headaches. Try to limit your caffeine intake to no more than 200 milligrams per day.
5. Balanced diet: A balanced diet is one of the best ways to reduce the frequency and intensity of headaches. Eating a balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats can help reduce the frequency and intensity of headaches.
By following these dietary tips, you can help reduce the frequency and intensity of headaches. However, if your headaches persist, it is important to consult with your doctor to determine the cause and best treatment plan.
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