Nutritional intervention may improve migraine severity: a pilot study

Abstract

Although some studies have investigated the role of nutritional intervention on migraine, they had focused on triggers or on weight change and, to the best of our knowledge, none studied diet quality. Objective To investigate whether nutritional intervention focused on improving diet quality and healthy weight can promote improvement in clinical parameters of women with migraine. Methods Non-controlled and non-randomized intervention study conducted for 90 days. Women received an individualized diet meal plan and nutritional orientation according to their nutritional diagnosis. Anthropometric, clinical and nutritional data were measured once a month. Diet energy content and macronutrients were evaluated using 24-hour dietary recall. Diet quality was assessed through the Brazilian Healthy Eating Index–Revised (BHEI-R). The Migraine Disability Assessment and Headache Impact Test version 6 were used to assess the severity of migraine, and the Beck Depression Inventory evaluated depressive symptoms. Results Fifty-two women aged 44.0 ± 13.0 years were enrolled. Anthropometric characteristics, energy, macronutrients and fiber intake did not change after intervention. However, the BHEI-R scores improved after 60 and 90 days of intervention. Concurrent to this, the Beck Depression Inventory scores and Headache Impact Test scores decreased after 60 and 90 days, respectively. The change in the BHEI-R score was negatively correlated with the migraine severity as assessed by the Headache Impact Test at the end of the intervention. Conclusions We concluded that the management of diet quality may be a good strategy for improving migraine severity, regardless of the nutritional status and weight change.

Altered Serum Levels of Renin‐Angiotensin System Markers in Migraine

“…This study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil (CAAE: 12746919.5.0000.5149). This study is based on the analysis of samples previously collected by our research group between 2016 and 2019 27 …”

Migraine and Diet

“…It has also been proposed that migraine may be improved by dietary approaches with beneficial effects on the gut microbiota and gut–brain axis, including appropriate consumption of fiber, low glycemic-index diet, supplementation with vitamin D [ 68 ] and omega-3 fatty acids, low-fat vegan diet, gluten-free diet, probiotics, and weight-loss diets [ 61 ]. The latter is based on studies that have demonstrated an association between obesity and migraine and clinical improvements after weight loss [ 61 , 69 , 70 , 71 , 72 ]. For example, Verrotti et al [ 72 ] evaluated obese adolescents before and after a program involving diet, physical activity, and behavioral therapy.…”

A Bidirectional View of Migraine and Diet Relationship

“…A proof of concept study in 2015 presented that weight loss could result in symptom improvement. 73 Based on a pilot study published in 2019, 11 enhancing the quality of diet and maintaining a healthy weight, could improve some clinical features of migraine. In this open, and nonrandomized study, women with migraine received an individualized diet plan, which was based on a professional nutritional diagnosis.…”

“…In this open, and nonrandomized study, women with migraine received an individualized diet plan, which was based on a professional nutritional diagnosis. This study was first to provide evidence that diet quality and maintaining a healthy weight are important, 11 not the weight loss per se. This means that for underweight patients a weight gain might be the successful strategy, while for overweight patients, a weight reduction strategy would provide beneficial effects on migraine.…”

“…This phenomenon has also presented a unique opportunity to modify triggering factors-those that can be modified-to reduce intensity of migraine and how often it occurs. This concept is attractive, as it has been found that lifestyle factors, 8 such as diet, 9 can trigger migraine, and lifestyle modifications, 10 for example diet modifications, and nutraceutical interventions 11 have collectively shown beneficial effects in patients with migraine. Considering these options is important, because despite remarkable advancement in understanding of the pathogenesis of migraine and targeting migraine by the novel therapeutic options, 6 challenges remain related to sufficient efficacy, and desirable safety, and the fact that nonresponders are present.…”