So, here's a weird correlation (nutrition question)

[Greta]

If I eat wheat very rarely, just for special occasions, it's not a problem.  But if I eat it frequently, I develop digestive upset, and it gets progressively more severe the more wheat I eat.  This correlation is abundantly clear, no question about it.  And it's not an uncommon complaint, so it's not exactly surprising.

 

But, here's the weird thing.  Lately, I have noticed an unexpected correlation between wheat and my migraines, but not the one you might think.  I don't get migraines on days that I eat wheat, or I can even nip a migraine in the bud if I eat some wheat bread as soon as I feel it coming on! 

 

I stocked up on some gluten-free breads thinking that maybe it's not the wheat itself, but the concentrated source of starch.  Unfortunately, gluten-free breads do not seem to contain the same anti-migraine magic as wheat breads.  Rice flour is the main ingredient in these gluten-free breads.

 

So what nutrient could wheat contain which rice does not, and which could prevent/treat migraines?

 

Should I try sprouted wheat products (like Ezekiel bread) to see if I can get the migraine fighting benefits without the tummy troubles?

 

Any ideas at all about what might be going on here and what I can do about it?

[maize]

I wonder if the migraines are actually triggered by withdrawal from wheat?

 

What is the longest length of time you have ever gone without wheat? If it is withdrawal, I would expect the migraines to eventually stop--that might take a few weeks though.

[gardenmom5]

I'd try spouted. it's worth a shot.

[Elizabeth 2]

It could be the sugars. There are specific sugars in gluten containing grains that can cause problems. They can build up and cause problems in the gut, including migraines during the bacterial die off. (Fun stuff in a 7 year old.).

[Greta]

I wonder if the migraines are actually triggered by withdrawal from wheat?

 

What is the longest length of time you have ever gone without wheat? If it is withdrawal, I would expect the migraines to eventually stop--that might take a few weeks though.

 

 

I went without wheat for three years, and the migraines were getting progressively worse that whole time.  But the wheat wasn't the only factor.  The migraines are primarily hormonal:  I started getting them in puberty, had some blessed relief when I was pregnant and breastfeeding, and then they got BAD when I hit perimenopause (which was the same time that I was low-carb ketogenic and wheat-free).

 

I went off the ketogenic diet, and that helped a great deal.  I'm also on preventive medications now, which are helping a lot.  At first, even after I increased the carbs, I stayed away from wheat.  Then I added wheat back to the diet and was thrilled to find it didn't give me the digestive troubles - at least at first.  And during this time I had the lowest incidence of migraines.  Then the digestive problems started again, so I cut the wheat out, and the migraines increased in frequency again.  Weird, huh?  I'm so confused!

[Greta]

I'd try spouted. it's worth a shot.

 

Seems like the next logical step.  I've read mixed "reviews" as to whether sprouted is okay for people with (non-celiac) gluten intolerance, but like you said, it's worth a shot.   :001_smile:

[kiana]

Selenium? Riboflavin? 

[Greta]

Selenium? Riboflavin? 

 

 

Thanks!  I will look for other foods that are rich on those nutrients, and see if I can get some help that way.  

[kiana]

Try tracking a week's worth of food in cronometer.com and looking for anything where you're far under RDA that might be related to migraines. 

[Greta]

Try tracking a week's worth of food in cronometer.com and looking for anything where you're far under RDA that might be related to migraines. 

 

 

Oh, that's a great idea.  Thanks!

[Snickerdoodle]

It also could be that you're stimulating an immune response and that initial stimulation can have analgesic effects.

[Greta]

It also could be that you're stimulating an immune response and that initial stimulation can have analgesic effects.

 

Oh, wow, that's interesting.  I had no idea!

[LindaOz]

I don't know about the wheat/migraine correlation but my migraines have been significantly reduced since I started taking magnesium powder. Not capsules - they didn't help even though they claim to - but powder that you stir into water. Maybe it's the concentration or that it's more absorbable, but seriously it has changed me 😊. I also control my refined wheat intake - not wheat free, but controlled - and I steer clear of gravy made with gravy powder.

Edited September 30, 2016 by LindaOz

[momacacia]

Were you really getting enough fat calories on low carb? Or when you don't eat gluten? Could be hypoglycemia. I yet headaches when I don't eat enough.

[Greta]

Were you really getting enough fat calories on low carb? Or when you don't eat gluten? Could be hypoglycemia. I yet headaches when I don't eat enough.

 

 

Yes, I was doing HFLC.  I didn't always track, but when I did track, I usually got about 65% of my calories from fat, 25%-ish from protein, and 10% or less from carbs.  I do have reactive hypoglycemia, so I have to be careful about that.  Not eating enough generally, or accidentally letting my blood sugar get too low will trigger a migraine for sure!  Thank you for the suggestions!

[Greta]

I don't know about the wheat/migraine correlation but my migraines have been significantly reduced since I started taking magnesium powder. Not capsules - they didn't help even though they claim to - but powder that you stir into water. Maybe it's the concentration or that it's more absorbable, but seriously it has changed me 😊. I also control my refined wheat intake - not wheat free, but controlled - and I steer clear of gravy made with gravy powder.

 

I've tried the capsules with no effect, but I've never tried a powder.  Thanks!