Migraine Headaches

Migraines are painful, sometimes disabling headaches that are often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light, noise, and smell. These throbbing headaches usually occur on only one side of the head, although the pain can shift from one side of the head to the other, or can occur on both sides at the same time. Migraines involve changes in chemicals and blood vessels in the brain, which trigger pain signals leading to headache and other symptoms.

Migraine headaches tend to recur. A migraine headache typically lasts 4 to 24 hours but in some cases can last up to 3 days. Some people have symptoms, such as visual disturbances, that occur before a headache starts. These symptoms are called a migraine aura. Some people have several headaches per month; others have headaches much less often. In many people, migraines may be triggered by certain foods or smells. Eliminating exposure to these triggers may stop the headaches.

 Studies/Articles:

Influencia de la intolerancia alimentaria en la mirana.   

Centro Inmunologic de Catalunya. Informe final de resultados estadisticos. version 3, 28 de diciembre de 2006. (translated English version HERE ). This is a study of 21 patients (2 men and 19 women) with migraines and with positive results on the ALCAT test for at least one evaluated food and have been included with the objective of comparing the number of migraines reported during a period of diet of 3 months (phase I) and another period of 3 months without any dietary restriction (phase II).  The hypothesis of this study began by considering that patients with migraines have intolerance to certain food, determined by the ALCAT test.  Also, the foods the ALCAT tested as positive aggravated migraines.  Therefore, a diet that avoids these foods would improve migraines, in the number of monthly attacks, intensity of pain and duration of the attacks. Study by Immunological Center of Catalunya, IMS Health: Health Economics and Outcomes Research—Influence of Food Intolerance in Migraines: Final Report of Statistical Results.  Version 3, December 28, 2006.           

Almost half of the patients included (47.6%) reduced the number of migraine attacks per month between the inclusion phase in the study and the phase of dietary restriction.The percentage of patients that suffered attacks for more than 12 hours decreased from 57.1% in the inclusion phase to 47.6% in the dietary restriction phase.The frequency of appearance of accompanying symptoms such as photophobia and phonophobia between the inclusion phase and the dietary restriction phase was reduced from 47.7% to 28.4% in the first case and from 35.7% to 23.3% in the second.

Pilot Study Into The Effect of Naturally Occurring Pharmacoactive Agents on the ALCAT Test.    

Investigator PJ Fell used the ALCAT test to successfully determine cellular reactions to Pharmacoative agents found in foods that trigger migraine headaches. Presented at Annual Meeting of the American Otolaryngic Allergy Association, September 27, 1991; Kansas City, MO. P.J. Fell, MD

ALCAT Test Results In The Treatment of Respiratory and Gastrointestinal Symptoms, Arthritis, Skin and Central Nervous System

Investigator Danuta Mylek studied 72 patients who followed an ALCAT based elimination diet; they had significant improvement in their symptoms that included arthritis, bronchitis and gastro issues. Specifically, they found improvement in 83% of arthritis patients, 75% of Urticaria, bronchitis, and gastroenteritis patients, 70% of migraine patients, 60% of chronic fatigue syndrome patients, 50% of asthma patients, 49% of AD patients, 47% of rhinitis patients and 32% of hyperactivity patients.  Patients were also skin tested for IgE allergy to inhalants and foods that were more pronounced in skin and nasal symptoms. Published in Advances in Medical Sciences; Formerly Roczniki Akademii Medycznej w Białymstoku Volume 40, Number 3, 1995.

The ALCAT Test - A Guide and Barometer in the Therapy of Environmental and Food Sensitivities -

Investigator Barbara A. Solomon MD studied 172 patients successfully using an ALCAT Test-based diet to alleviate the following range of symptoms:  classic migraine (85%), common migraine (62%), sinus headaches (58%), gastoesphageal reflux (GERD) (75%), IBS (71%), inflammatory arthritis (65%), recurrent Sinusitis (59%), tension fatigue, syndrome (60%), obesity (50%), eczema (55%), asthma (30%), depression and/or anxiety (31%), recurrent vaginitis (20%), recurrent urinary tract infection (46%), degenerative arthritis (44%) and allergic rhinitis (42%). Published in Environmental Medicine, Volume 9, Number 1 & 2, 1992. Barbara Solomon MD, MA