Migraine Trigger: Milk Products
Milk and milk products are top migraine triggers.
Elimination diets that include the elimination of dairy are extremely successful at preventing migraines.
(Sources: PubMed 6137694, 87628, 12990292, 6643018)
Eleven reasons why milk and milk products are top migraine triggers:
1. Milk is a top migraine trigger in numerous studies (study 1, 2, 3).
2. Seventy Percent Migraine Free
One study found that nearly 70 percent of migraine sufferers became completely migraine free after the sole elimination of milk.
Six months later, nine of the migraine sufferers volunteered to drink milk and all nine suffered a migraine within two to three days, with one patient requiring sedation and hospitalization (study link).
3. 2007 and 2010 Studies Eliminate Milk and Reduce Migraines
Milk was a top IgG allergen in a 2007 study that successfully reduced migraines in 85 percent of patients and completely eliminated migraines in 77 percent of patients (study link).
Milk was also a top IgG allergen in a 2010 study that successfully reduced migraines (study link).
4. Milk is a Top Allergen
Milk is among the top eight allergens that account for 90 percent of all allergic reactions (FDA link).
Migraine sufferers have significantly more allergic reactions to foods than the general population (study link).
Migraine studies suggest that the most common allergens, including milk, are a problem and should be eliminated (study link).
5. Milk Increases Acne and Migraine Risk
Milk increases acne (study link).
Acne is absent from large populations that don’t drink milk (study link).
Children migraineurs have seven times the odds of also having acne (study link).
Both acne and migraines are associated with increased levels of inflammation and IgE allergens from milk (study link).
Reduce or eliminate milk for migraine prevention and skin health.
6. Most People Lose the Ability to Digest Lactose
Seventy-five percent of adults worldwide lose their ability to break down lactose and digest milk (research link).
Nearly everyone loses some of their ability to break down lactose after childhood and this may result in milk rotting in the stomach, producing gas, and inflammation.
Gut inflammation from milk rotting in your stomach is a migraine trigger (article link).
7. Milk is an IBS Trigger
Milk provokes symptoms in up to 84 percent of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients within three days of consumption (study 1, 2, 3).
Migraine food triggers also take an average of two to three days to trigger migraines (study link).
IBS is associated with migraines and elimination diets are successful at treating both conditions (study 1, 2).
8. High Levels of Biogenic Amines
Milk products such as aged cheese contain large amounts of the biogenic amines histamine and tyramine.
Biogenic amines are a top migraine trigger (article link).
9. Milk products may contain large amounts of free glutamic acid.
Free glutamic acid is a migraine trigger.
10. Low-fat Milk is Higher in Glutamic Acid
Low-fat milk contains more glutamic acid than regular milk and is associated with childhood obesity (study link).
Obesity and glutamic acid increase the risk of migraines.
11. Migraineur Health Professionals Avoid Milk
A study by Harvard Medical School found that female health professionals with migraines avoid wine and low-fat milk.
If they avoid low-fat milk, maybe you should too (study link).
Summary
Milk products are highly allergenic, hard on the stomach, and often contain large amounts of glutamic acid, hormones, and biogenic amines such as histamine and tyramine.
Grass-fed butter, clarified butter, or ghee have less milk protein and are generally ok. If a milk allergy is severe, all dairy should be avoided.
Milk and milk products are in “the most dangerous foods” category for migraines.
Reduce or Eliminate
Reduce or eliminate milk products such as milk, low-fat milk, cheeses, margarine, and products with milk additives.
