At some point it may seem as though almost anything can trigger a migraine. Tuliv continues with its migraine research to identify the actual reason that causes a body reaction that results in a migraine when exposed to a particular food, ingredient, substance, smell, pharmaceutical drug, hormone, weather change, heat, or environmental condition.
From a scientific point of view, we have learned that during a migraine there is a high level of a chemical known as calcitonin gen-related peptide (CGRP). CGRP is produced in the body by the synthesis (mixing) of nitric oxide and tyramine. When the level of CGRP rises in a person who has the propensity (inherited the migraine gene) for migraines, it causes the migraine syndrome (rapid expansion of the blood vessels intertwined with the fibers of the trigeminal nerve in the head) to occur which results in extreme pain.
To reduce tyramine in your diet: Avoid products, drinks and supplements that contain tyramine or the amino-acid L-tyrosine. Eat fresh or frozen foods. Eat perishable refrigerated items within 48 hours of purchase. Eat or freeze leftovers within 24 hours. Cooking will not destroy tyramine content. Avoid fermented or aged foods, such as cheese, sour cream, yogurt, soy sauce and or meats that are pickled, aged, smoked, fermented, or marinated; fermented alcoholic beverages, especially red wine.
Avoid almond, avocados, bananas, pineapple, eggplants, figs, red plums, raspberries, peanuts, Brazil nuts, coconuts, yeast, miso soup, sauerkraut, broad (fava) beans, green bean and pea pods. Read all food labels carefully when shopping. Check the ingredients in foods, including canned and frozen products. Many convenience foods contain tyramine rich ingredients (marmite, yeast extracts).
Also be wary in health food stores as many of the weight control powders, diet supplements and pills may contain tyramine or yeast extracts. Remember Eileen's rule when reading labels: "If grandmother didn't use it in a recipe, don't eat it today."
Never eat anything when you are unsure of the ingredients. Although not everyone reacts the same to a possible trigger, it is best to avoid things that are known to be problematic and to learn what foods and other conditions may be a problem personally for you in order to help prevent a migraine attack.
Learn to avoid the migraine trigger monosodium glutamate (MSG) and products that contain glutamic acid . If you see the word glutamate (a form of glutamic acid) in the ingredients, i.e. MSG, don't eat it. And watch for the hidden MSG that is called "flavor enhancer". MSG and sodium glutamate are used as food additives in many processed foods. They are often used in the preparation of Chinese foods and commonly marketed in stores as flavor enhancers. Trade names of monosodium glutamate include Ajinomoto, Vetsin, and Accent.
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If you are unsure about a product or have any questions about triggers or migraines, please contact us and we will do the research for you. We do this as a free service to help prevent migraines and add to the list of products that may cause migraines.
Be safe and enjoy good safe foods.