Effect of a Carbohydrate-Rich Diet, Low in Protein-Tryptophan, in Classic and Common Migraine

Abstract

Because serotonin, released from platelets, has been suggested to initiate migraine, a decreased platelet serotonin content, attained by a reduced intake of serotonin and the serotonin precursor tryptophan, might be beneficial. In the brain, however, increased serotonin levels, achieved by a high carbohydrate intake, are probably favourable. Seven migraine patients (four with classic, three with common migraine) were placed on a carbohydrate-rich diet, low in protein-tryptophan. Three of the four classic migraineurs, but none of the common migraineurs, noted improvement in their migraine. Platelet serotonin uptake was within the normal range both before and at the end of the diet period. The apparent positive effect in the classic migraineurs could be due to a reduced intake of migraine-precipitating foods and/or increased brain serotonin levels.

Obesity and Headache: Part II – Potential Mechanism and Treatment Considerations

“…71 While for weight loss in general, there is evidence suggesting that adherence to a diet is more important than any particular diet type, 72 for migraine in particular, a variety of specific diets have been tried for headache prevention given the previously discussed overlaps in migraine and obesity pathophysiology. Some have suggested a low fat or a low protein diet, 73,74 while others have suggested a high fat or a low carbohydrate diet as possible migraine preventative therapy. 75,76 However, all such studies have been either negative or methodologically flawed preventing conclusions.…”

Headache and Obesity in the Pediatric Population

“…However, there has been conflicting theories regarding specific dietary methods in the treatment of headaches and migraine. Although some adult studies have suggested a low fat or a low protein diet may improve migraine [46, 47], to our knowledge there has been only 1 study to look at similar such dietary measures specifically in children or adolescents [42]. …”

Low-lipid diet reduces frequency and severity of acute migraine attacks

“…First, in a small trial including only seven patients with no control group, a carbohydrate-rich diet, low in protein-tryptophan, was shown to favourably affect headache, and the efficacy of the dietary intervention was related to a reduced intake of migraine-precipitating foods with a concomitant increase in the brain serotonin levels [11]. Thereafter, the lipid components of the diet were investigated: it has been suggested that a lipid-rich diet might be responsible for headache because the plasma serotonin levels are reduced in relation to the increased platelet aggregation [12], whilst a very low-lipid diet (about 20 g daily) might help in preventing headache [13].…”