For those who suffer from migraine headaches, a change in diet may help to reduce frequency. A new study published in the BMJ suggests that a diet higher in fatty fish may help migraine sufferers reduce their monthly headaches and pain intensity.
The study involved 182 adults with frequent migraines who all followed a 16-week dietary intervention. They were randomly assigned to one of three healthy diet plans and received meal kits that included fish, vegetables, hummus, salads, and breakfast items.
One group received meals that included high levels of fatty fish or fish oil and lowered linoleic acid. Another group got meals with high levels of fatty fish and higher linoleic acid, while the third group received meals with high linoleic acid and lower levels of fatty fish, which mimicked the average U.S. diet.
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During the 16-week study, participants were required to monitor their number of migraine headache days, duration, and intensity. They also listed how their headaches affected their ability to function at work, school, and social lives, and how often they needed to take medication.
At the beginning of the study, participants averaged more than 16 headache days per month, over five hours of migraine pain per day, and had baseline scores that reflected a severe impact on quality of life despite using headache medications.
It was found that a diet lower in vegetable oil and higher in fatty fish produced between a 30% and 40% reduction in total headache hours per day, severe headache hours per day, and overall headache hours per month, compared to the control group.
Blood samples from this group showed lower levels of pain-related lipids. However, despite the reduction in migraine frequency and pain, participants only reported minor improvements in migraine-related quality of life.
Mounting Evidence on Linoleic Acid
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This study adds to the research team’s previous work on the impact of linoleic acid and chronic pain. Researchers previously explored whether linoleic acid inflamed migraine-related pain processing tissues and pathways in the trigeminal nerve. They concluded that a diet lower in linoleic acid with higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids could help soothe this pain pathway inflammation.
Linoleic acid is a polyunsaturated fatty acid commonly found in the standard American diet and made from corn, soybean, and other similar oils plus some nuts and seeds. With high levels of it being consumed every day, researchers are trying to connect some health concerns to consuming fatty acid.
The study’s author concluded the study by saying, “Changes in diet could offer some relief for the millions of Americans who suffer from migraine pain. It’s further evidence that the foods we eat can influence pain pathways.”
Sarah began her interest in nutritional healing at an early age. After going through health problems and becoming frustrated with the conventional ways doctors wanted to treat her illness (which were not working), she took it upon herself to find alternative treatments. This led her to revolutionize her own diet to help her get healthier and tackle her health problems. She began treating her illness by living a more balanced lifestyle through healthy food choices, exercise and other alternative medicine such as meditation. This total positive lifestyle change led her to earn a diploma in Nutritional Therapy from Health Sciences Academy in London, England. Today, Sarah enjoys helping others by teaching healthy lifestyle changes through her personal consultations and with her regular contributions to the Doctors Health Press. Also, passionate about following her dreams in life, Sarah moved to France and lived in Paris for over 5 years where she earned a certification in beadwork and embroidery from Lesage (an atelier owned by Chanel). She then went on to be a familiar face sitting front row and reporting from Paris Fashion Week. Sarah continues to practice some of the cultural ways of life she learned while in Europe. They enjoy their food, and take the time to relax and enjoy many of life’s little moments. These are life lessons she is glad to have brought back home with her.
