Migraine Study 2011

Important News For Migraine Sufferers

A new survey of a 1,000 people suffering with migraine by the charity Migraine Action has revealed that over two thirds of members affected by frequent migraine attacks believe that certain foods could be the cause. The survey found that 85 percent of people affected by debilitating migraines had their symptoms reduced, and quality of life improved, when their food triggers were discovered and avoided.

Additional research from the University of York has further supported the Migraine Action findings, uncovering that the frequency of migraine attacks was reduced by almost a quarter (23%) over 4 weeks when the YorkTest FoodScan test was used. Dr Andrew Dowson, head of headache services at King’s College and member of the medical advisory board of Migraine Action, commenting on the research said: “A link between food intolerance and migraine has long been suspected. Recent research has shown that when people with migraine follow tailored diets to eliminate trigger foods their symptoms significantly improve, however the treatment of migraine is not a ‘one size fits all’ situation, each person needs to establish their own specific combination of triggers, which can also include factors like stress and irregular sleep patterns”.

Why Do I Get Headaches/Migraines

A migraine is a throbbing intense headache that usually occurs on one side of the head, although both sides may be affected in separate attacks.
Migraines are painful and sometimes disabling and are often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light, noise, and smell.
Migraine headaches tend to recur; a migraine headache typically lasts 4 to 24 hours but in some cases can last up to 3 days.
With an estimated 6.6 million people in the UK reporting moderate headache-related disability, the cost to the economy is significant, estimated at £1 billion per year.
Studies have estimated that 90,000 people are away from work or education every day due to headache's.
During a migraine attack there are changes in chemicals and blood vessels in the brain. These changes to the blood vessels are probably what cause the pain, but migraine is still a condition that is poorly understood.

Headaches/Migraines could be due to food intolerance

In many people migraines are triggered by reactions to foods. Understanding that food sensitivity can contribute to migraines, and then identifying and eliminating the trigger foods is important.
Clinical studies have shown that management of the diet can reduce the severity and, or, frequency of headaches or even stop them. The problem with attempting any dietary modification is that first you need to know what to change.
Currently the best accepted method for confirming food sensitivities is by elimination diet. This involves eating a restricted diet for several weeks. If there is no reduction in the frequency or intensity of the attacks during this time, it is assumed that the food type that has been restricted is not the problem and the process is repeated with another food type. This method is very time consuming, and because it is impossible to test all the different combinations of food types that may be causing the problems, it is a very ineffective process.

Testing for Food Intolerance

The most scientific approach that can be used to identify which food types are triggering migraine attacks in an individual is a blood test that measures food-specific IgG antibodies.
A recent study that surveyed 514 migraine and headache sufferers showed that 81% benefitted in terms of the frequency and severity of their attacks if they removed the foods from their diet that showed a positive reaction in the blood test .
The fact that people saw a return of their migraine and, or, headache symptoms on reintroduction of the foods identified by the food-specific IgG test supports the fact that this is an active and specific approach. The test used in the study is the YorkTest FoodScan 113 food intolerance test, it only requires a few drops of blood from a finger prick that can be collected in the comfort of your own home.

Do you think you may suffer from food intolerance?

Taking a First Step Food Intolerance Test enables you to eliminate uncertainty and confirm whether you have food intolerance through a ‘positive’ or ‘negative’ test result. This way you can check if you have a food intolerance before taking the Second Step FoodScan 113 which is the comprehensive service that identifies the specific foods you are intolerant to.
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Need further information?

To buy or talk to our specialists call on 01 2022701who will be happy to provide you with free, confidential expert advice and guidance on the First Step. Alternatively Click here to buy the First Step test.

Case Study

Jackie Clark - Migraine sufferer Jackie Clark spent every day battling headaches and migraines. "I would wake up every day with a headache and if I didn't have one then I could be pretty sure I'd get one later in the day. It was miserable. Some days I just wanted to die."

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