The keto diet consists of fats, high protein, and low carbohydrates. The idea behind this kind of diet is to put the human body into a ketogenic metabolic state. It claims health benefits including a decrease in migraine attacks. It decreases the consumption of carbohydrates and enhances the proportion of fats and proteins within an individual’s diet. But, research about the relationship between migraine and the ketogenic diet has shown mixed results.
Do you know ketosis occurs when glucose level starts to drop because of a lack of carbohydrates in the body or fasting? It can be the reason for migraines because the human central nervous system and brain begin using ketone bodies as an energy source if there is less energy source.
Can Ketogenic Diet Cause Migraines?
Pain in the head region is a headache and it occurs in the entire head. But, if you are suffering from the pain on one side of the head, it is called migraine. It radiates across the head to a specific location. For all the patients, this one-sided headache is highly painful.
By producing a throbbing sensation and dull aches, it creates a sharp pain. If you get less than fifteen pains, then it is not severe. In case it happens more than fifteen times. This is a chronic condition. This period consists of thirty minutes and more than it. This is a painful situation and can affect vision, balance, and strength. It influences your routine life.
If you have neck muscle aches, then it can be the reason for this pain. The prime causes of migraines can be due to blood pressure. Some other reasons for migraine are;
- Anxiety
- Hunger
- Low iron level
- Emotional stress, mental tension, and depression
- Not enough rest
Low blood sugar can be due to low carbohydrates levels. Therefore, people who are at the keto diet may suffer from migraines. Many people have complaints beyond headaches on the keto diet including dizziness, fatigue, constipation, and muscle cramps. Moreover, electrolyte imbalance and dehydration worsen the situation for the patient.
When the human body drops glucose level in the blood, this transition into ketosis leads to brain stress and it causes headaches, brain fog, and mental fatigue.
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Does Ketogenic Diet Help Migraines?
The keto diet or ketogenic diet is rich in moderate protein and fats but low in carbs. This is good to treat brain disorders, epilepsy, and others. Ketosis is good for migraine prevention. It leaves a good effect on the brain chemistry, hyperexcitability, oxidative stress, and inflammation.
Ketone bodies offer the brain and body with more energy than glucose does. It means the brain and muscles perform more efficiently. It is significant for migraine patients because they have a lack of energy storage in cells of the brain of migraineurs. The prime reason for migraines is inflammation and ketones are anti-inflammatory. So, taking a ketogenic diet leaves an anti-inflammatory effect on the body. Therefore, it can help to prevent migraines.
There are several levels of proof and evidence when searching for treatment. Keto diet stabilizes the electrical activity of the brain. Can a ketogenic diet save you from migraines? Well, there is no guarantee. But, taking a keto diet decreases the severity and frequency of the attacks. Most of the people follow this diet for weight loss. Obesity is one of the prime risk factors for the progression of chronic migraine.
Several mechanisms have been proposed to describe ketosis and migraine prevention including the gut microbiome, inflammation, oxidative stress, glucose transport, and hypoglycemia. Also, hypoglycemia is related to low blood sugar. It contributes to migraines because of the low energy store and there will be high-energy demand of the brain.
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How to Prevent Keto Migraine Headache?
With the appropriate hydration and drinking plenty of nutritious food, you can overcome your Migraine headache. Always take juices and focus on liquids to minimize the risk of dehydration. [1]
- You must avoid taking stress because one of the prime causes of migraine is stress.
- Hypertension leads to migraine.
- Inhaling oxygen in the morning can provide muscles strength and energy to the body
- Eat healthy and energetic natural food
- Massage gently to get rid of neck cramps because it releases aches.
- Take iron supplements to get energy and boost the level of the red blood cells.
- You must take the food that can maintain sugar level in blood.
It is important to avoid alcohol intake or other herbs that cause dehydration like kratom during a keto diet. Both substances have a tranquilizing effect on the brain. When both the ingredients come together, the influence on the brain increases, and it leaves a negative impact on the brain function. Additionally, nervous system failure is the most dangerous outcome of these combinations.
This factor leads to addiction. On the other hand, alcoholism is a considerable amount of harm. Yet, people used to serve wines in celebrations. Similarly, mixing both substances is not safe.
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Ketogenic Diet Migraine Study:
Most people follow the keto diet because of several reasons and health benefits. No doubt, it is the best treatment of pediatric epilepsy and a solid cure for numerous neurological diseases. On the ketogenic diet, clinical data of one fifty patients have described that keto diet causes chronic and episodic migraine. It contributes to restoring metabolism and brain excitability. Keto diet is a prime source to counteract neuroinflammation in migraine.
A controlled study is required to approve the benefits of keto diet in migraines and to know its optimal feasibility, repeatability, and optimal duration in normal efficacy and weight subject in pediatric association and population to conventional migraine prophylaxis. [2]
CONCLUSION
Most of the people face the problem of migraines during keto diet because they implement it incorrectly. They do not intake appropriately inadvertently and nutritionally. This factor increases the risk of migraine. To avoid this problem, you need to focus on healthy nutrients while dieting. It’s important to take care of your diet to live a healthy life.
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