Migraine is a common complaint afflicting millions of people - recent figures suggest that 16% of women and 5% of men are sufferers, and the CDC report a 60% increase in the UK from 1980 to 1989. Although there is almost certainly a familial link, over 50 population-based studies were unable to find any specific age, ethnic origin or class of migraineur.
Conventional migraine treatment offers prevention (prophylactic) or acute treatment, but only about one third of all sufferers are fully satisfied with what is currently available. Prophylactic medication is considered effective if it decreases the frequency of attacks more than 50% - but that may be cold comfort for sufferers looking for better results. Also, as we become more and more aware of the worrying side-effects of drugs, many people prefer a natural approach.
To treat migraine, identify and eliminate the trigger(s) - often easier said than done!
YOU are an individual, and if you haven't yet found YOUR particular trigger(s), nutritional therapy can offer further areas to investigate. Here's what we'll be looking at:
There is little doubt that food intolerance is a major cause of migraine and many studies have demonstrated that detecting and removing the offending food(s) can improve or even eliminate symptoms in the majority of sufferers. However, the common foods a nutritionist will suspect (backed up by published research) may surprise you..... Why not find out?
Nutrient deficiencies may be a problem for you. There is considerable evidence that one particular vitamin and one mineral are particularly implicated. You may be able to guess which ones, but do you know the therapeutic levels? They certainly aren't the RDAs or RNIs! And if you have a leaky gut, you probably won't absorb them anyway. What's a leaky gut and how did you get one and how do you get rid of it? We can explain it.
Acid levels may prevent nutrients being digested correctly. Are your acidity levels too high or too low? Learn how diet affects acidity - probably NOT in the way you expect.
Lifestyle adjustments will probably need to be made. If stress is causing your migraines, time and stress management from a qualified coach could help. This is available by phone or face to face.
Have you ever considered pollution and toxic metal levels as possible causes? We have! But we don't guess, we measure - and make recommendations based on the result.
Some migraines are due to medication misuse - either excess use of pain-killers or their contents. If you think this could be the case, do not stop or change any prescribed medicine without contacting your GP.
