Elimination Diets

Although occasionally people benefit from elimination diets, their use in the diagnosis of headaches and migraines is controversial and their efficacy unproven. Additionally, they are difficult to follow and nutritionally inadequate.

Dietary Triggers

Although about 15-20% of migraine sufferers have dietary triggers, most don’t. While certain chemicals in food can trigger a migraine attack in someone who is susceptible, these same chemical have no effect on people who do not suffer from migraines. Therefore migraine sufferers have an underlying problem that causes these attacks. If this condition is treated successfully (and generally this can be done without the use of medication), consuming these dietary triggers no longer causes migraines.

For a more comprehensive explanation of the difference between triggers and causes, please click here.