Posted January 25, 2022 | by Dr. Gabriel Salloum | in Causes of Headaches

Can Gluten Cause Migraine Headaches?

Gluten may be a trigger for migraines in some people. People may avoid gluten for a variety of reasons. If you have migraines, you may want to take a closer look at your diet. A recent study has found that gluten can trigger migraine attacks in some people. This may not be news to those who have already eliminated gluten from their diets, but it is important information for everyone else. So if you are looking for ways to reduce your migraine symptoms, consider giving up gluten. It may make a big difference for you.

What is gluten?

Gluten is a family of storage proteins — formally known as prolamins — that are naturally found in certain grains, such as wheat, barley, and rye. Most breads, pastas, and baked goods made from these grains do include gluten.

How does gluten trigger migraine?

Gluten may be a trigger for migraines in some people. When someone suffers from celiac disease — a digestive disorder caused by an autoimmune response to gluten — there is a clear link between migraine headaches and gluten. Gluten triggers immune cells to release antibodies to attack substances the body sees as foreign. However, gluten may trigger migraines in people who don’t have celiac disease but instead have a sensitivity to gluten.

Migraines are the third most prevalent illness in the world and causes suffering for tens of millions of people. In fact, nearly 1 in 4 U.S. households includes someone with migraines.

Migraine is not just a headache, but also includes a collection of associated symptoms that can be debilitating. These include nausea, vomiting, light sensitivity and dizziness. Often people struggle to determine what triggers their migraines. It can be environmental, hormonal, genetic, secondary to an underlying illness, or triggered by certain foods, such as cheese, red wine or chocolate. Foods like gluten have received a lot of attention in recent years.

Diagnosis of Gluten Triggered Migraine Headaches

If a person suspects that their migraine episodes are caused by any particular food, particularly gluten, they should consult a doctor. Diagnosis is crucial for people with celiac disease, since it is possible to have the disease without even knowing it. Celiac disease is diagnosed through blood tests. There is a small risk of false positives or negatives with this test, though, since it only works if someone isn’t already on a gluten-free diet.

In addition to these tests, medical professionals may perform a genetic test, tissue biopsy, or capsule endoscopy, in which a small camera is swallowed and passed through the digestive tract. In some cases, they may not be sensitive to gluten.

Identifying Triggers of Migraine Headaches

Even if someone does not have celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, it may be beneficial to identify other migraine triggers.

Keeping a migraine diary

In a migraine diary, you record when the symptoms occur, how severe they are, and whether anything triggered or aggravated them. Identifying triggers and patterns may help you avoid them in the future.

Elimination diet to test for gluten causation

The elimination diet consists of removing a particular food from the diet for a period of time before reintroducing it. People may be able to determine if a particular food has been causing them symptoms.

The connection between gluten and migraines

Some people experience migraines when they consume gluten. According to a recent study, celiac disease may cause migraines. Migraines may even be an early symptom of celiac disease in some people, though migraine is considered a rare complication of celiac disease.

Gluten can affect the nervous system in people with celiac disease and people with non-celiac gluten intolerance. Examples of conditions that affect the nervous system include:

Learning disorders
Depression
Migraine
Headache

Why do people with migraines need to be careful about what they eat?

Eating a balanced diet rich in minerals, vitamins, and fatty acids may prevent migraines. Also, changing the diet, for example limiting sodium and fat or going on a low-glycemic diet, is beneficial.

Generally, it is best to avoid processed food in favor of whole, unprocessed foods, although it is difficult to avoid them completely. Whenever possible, try to avoid additives that trigger migraines for you, like artificial flavorings, sweeteners, or preservatives.

Which foods are good for migraine sufferers?

Minerals, vitamins, and fatty acids found in certain foods may help prevent migraines.

Magnesium-rich foods.

Research on mostly white females indicates that magnesium may offer migraine relief. Dark leafy greens, avocado, and tuna contain high amounts of magnesium.

Omega-3 fatty acids.

Migraine sufferers may benefit from increasing omega-3 fatty acids. Fish like mackerel and salmon, as well as seeds and legumes, are rich in omega-3 fatty acids.

Ketogenic foods.

Research suggests going keto may reduce migraine attacks, but it may not be for everyone. Essentially, it means eating foods that are low in carbohydrates and high in fat, such as seafood, non-starchy vegetables, and eggs. However, you should be careful: Some keto-friendly foods can trigger migraines.

What is a gluten-free diet?

A gluten-free diet is an eating plan that excludes foods containing gluten. It is essential for managing the signs and symptoms of celiac disease and other medical conditions associated with gluten.

Diet details

Diets that are gluten-free require paying attention to food selections, food ingredients, and their nutritional content.

Allowed fresh foods

Many naturally gluten-free foods can be a part of a healthy diet:

Fruits and vegetables

Beans, seeds, legumes, and nuts in their natural, unprocessed forms
Eggs
Lean, non-processed meats, fish, and poultry
Most low-fat dairy products

Grains, starches, or flours that can be part of a gluten-free diet include:

Amaranth
Arrowroot
Buckwheat
Corn — cornmeal, grits, and polenta labeled gluten-free
Flax
Gluten-free flours — rice, soy, corn, potato, and bean flours
Hominy (corn)
Millet
Quinoa
Rice, including wild rice
Sorghum
Soy
Tapioca (cassava root)
Teff

Grains not allowed in a Gluten Free Diet

Avoid all foods and drinks containing the following:

Wheat
Barley
Rye
Triticale — a cross between wheat and rye
Oats, in some cases

Despite oats being naturally gluten-free, they can be contaminated during production with wheat, barley, and rye. Cross contamination has not been found in oat products labeled gluten-free. Some people with celiac disease, however, cannot tolerate the gluten-free-labeled oats.

Treatment for gluten-triggered migraines:

Avoid gluten

The most effective treatment for celiac disease is a diet in which you eliminate all foods that contain gluten, such as:

Wheat
Durum
Farina
Bulgur
Barley
Semolina
Spelt
Rye
Soy sauce

Take Headache medications

If you suffer from migraines that are frequent and intense, in addition to avoiding migraine triggers like gluten, you can also take over-the-counter medications or ask your doctor for prescription medications. Taking these medications can prevent migraine symptoms from developing.

Make other lifestyle changes

To prevent migraines, you may also want to consider adjusting other lifestyle behaviors, such as cutting out caffeine and alcohol.

Conclusion

Migraine sufferers who are gluten sensitive should be aware that there is a connection between migraine and gluten. This means it’s important to diagnose your migraines for the sake of your health, including any dietary restrictions you may need to follow in order to manage them. Fortunately, most people can find relief with a diet free from gluten-containing products like wheat, rye, and barley.

A study of over 1 million people found that those who eat a lot of gluten have 45% more chances of developing migraine than those who do not.