Treatment Of Migraine With Diet Changes

A migraine sufferer is thus always advised to maintain a diary of the foods he consumes so that it may be known which food act as a trigger for his/her migraine attack. Usually, the following foods act as triggers: •In non-vegetarian food items, avoid herring, either dried or pickled, sausages, salami, hot dogs and chicken livers.
•Many times, monosodium glutamate (MSG) used in Chinese or Oriental cooking has been found to be a culprit. MSG is also found in soy sauce, processed meats and canned foods. So do check the food labels before buying such food items.
•Any kind of ripened cheeses like stilton, cheddar, brie and camembert should be avoided. But some cheeses, which are permissible are, American, cottage, cream cheese and Velveeta.
•Among fruits, the quantity intake of bananas, citrus fruits, papayas, figs, raisins, avocados and red plums should be limited to not more than 1/2 cup a day.
•Among snacks, avoid sourdough bread, breads and crackers containing cheese or chocolate, nuts, peanut butter, anything marinated, pickled or fermented, pizza, bologna, pepperoni, chocolates and sour cream.
•Migraine sufferers should also avoid beans particularly broad beans, lima beans, fava beans and snow peas.
•As for drinks, do not take more than 2 cups a day of cola, caffeine or tea in a day. The same goes for alcoholic drinks - no more than 2 normal sized drinks a day.

Apart from all the above mentioned precautionary food, there are some kinds of food that can be taken in order to ward off migraine attacks. Some of these foods are mentioned below:

Ginger:
Although no conclusive evidence has been found that ginger reduces migraine attacks, yet anecdotal evidence proves so. Studies are also being conducted on the same. It is thought that because ginger has small amounts of antihistamine and anti-inflammatory action so it might be useful in warding off a migraine attack.

Ginger reduces the amount and the severity of the headache. It is a fact that ginger reduces nausea as well. Indian cuisine uses a lot of ginger. Since it is a natural substance, it does not have side effects. Ginger can be added to food while cooking to harness its beneficial qualities. It can also be consumed raw as well as in the powder form.

Foods containg vitamin B2 (riboflavin):
It has been found that high doses of vitamin B2 or riboflavin may be useful in reducing the frequency of migraine attacks. This happens once you have taken vitamin B2 continuously for a month. The recommended dose for this vitamin is 200 mg a day. But the administered dose in this case is 400 mg a day, increased over the next two months.

This is to be done very carefully only under the supervision of a doctor because even excess of vitamins can prove harmful for your body.

Good sources of vitamin B2 are eggs, lean meat, broccoli, milk and enriched breads and cereals.

More studies are still needed before the use of riboflavin as a treatment can be recommended safely and surely to migraine patients.
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