MIGRAINE and Food

Monosodium Glutamate (MSG), also labeled Autolyzed Yeast Extract, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, or Natural Flavoring: Major sources of MSG include certain soups, Chinese food and "fast" food, soy sauce, yeast, yeast extract, meat tenderizers (Accent), and seasoned salt. Many salad dressings also contain MSG. We advise you not to frequent restaurants that are unable to eliminate MSG from their food. If you turn red after eating something, it may have MSG in it. Headaches an hour or so after eating is the most common timing.

Sulfites (Potassium Metabisulfite). Used as a preservative on salads, seafood, avocado dip. Found naturally in wine and beer. Usually causes asthma symptoms, but can also cause headache.

Alcohol. Red wine, Beer, etc. Red wine is the most likely and vodka is the least likely alcoholic beverage to cause a migraine. Tension headaches may be relieved by alcohol, as opposed to migraine which is often worsened by alcohol.

Chocolate. Includes carob. Chocolate may cause a delayed effect -- the caffeine in chocolate prevents an early headache.

Cheeses, especially ripened or aged cheese (Colby, Roquefort, Brie, Gruyere, Cheddar, Bleu Cheese, Mozzarella, Parmesan, Boursalt, Romano). Cheeses less likely to trigger headache are cottage cheese and American cheese. Pizza may be a problem food. Headaches about 1 or 2 hours after eating are common pattern.

Caffeine. This is complicated. Overuse of caffeine may increase headaches via rebound. Some very sensitive people may develop rebound from as little as 30 mg, but in most people it takes 500 mg of caffeine/day (5 cups coffee).

Caffeine Content:

• cup of coffee 100 mg/cup
• "decaf" coffee 4 mg/cup
• Tea 40 mg/cup
• Chocolate 10 mg/ounce

Nitrates -- found in meat and certain medications for blood pressure and chest pain. Examples of foods are bacon, packaged lunch meats, sausage, hot dogs. Nitroglycerin, Isordil are examples of medications.