Chances are if you are reading this article you or somebody you know suffers from migraine headaches.
You are not alone.
More than 14% of Canadians suffer from migraine headaches.
The hallmark of this type of headache is moderate to severe throbbing pain on one side of the head.
Along with the throbbing people often feel nausea and have sensitivity to light, sound or smell.
Having a migraine literally ruins your day. As a matter of fact, migraines cause upwards of $500 million annually in lost productivity and workplace absenteeism.
As a Functional Medicine Doctor trained in chiropractic, acupuncture, and naturopathic medicine, I have dealt with many migraine sufferers.
They all have the same question:
What causes migraines?
It’s not a deficiency of Tylenol or other painkillers.
Seriously though, there are many reasons that people can have migraines.
Here are FOUR of my secrets to fixing migraines.
Proven Remedy #1 – Eat to manage blood sugar.
Yes, it can be as simple as having better control over your blood sugar.
Many people eat too many grains and carbs in the diet, and their bodies aren’t good at keeping their blood sugar stable.
So, what are the right foods you should eat?
Anyone suffering with migraines needs a Paleo or Mediterranean-type diet, making sure they have protein at every meal and snack.
Avoid fructose and high fructose corn syrup.
Eat every 2-3 hours, and never, ever skip meals.
Proven Remedy #2 – Get tested for food allergies.
Most people have hidden food allergies that are triggering their migraines.
Food allergy testing can easily be done by with a single drop of blood from a finger prick.
Many people with migraines are also suffering with digestive problems, like gas, bloating and indigestion.
If you fall into this category then food allergy testing is an absolute must or you will never see improvement in your pain levels.
Proven Remedy #3 – Nourish your mitochondria.
If you have suffered with migraines for most of your life…
Or if migraines run in your family…
This is a major tip for you.
It is more than likely that you have dysfunctional mitochondria.
If you remember from biology class, mitochondria are tiny little organs inside each and every one of your cells and their main job is to produce energy that ultimately drives the healing and repair mechanisms of the body.
I will not bore you with the technical details, but it’s very common to see blockages in this pathway because of nutrient deficiencies.
And, here is the really juicy part…
We inherit our mitochondria directly from our mothers.
So, whenever I hear of lifelong migraines or migraines that run in the family I immediately think of dysfunctional mitochondria.
Key nutrients that can help rebuild strong, healthy mitochondria include: magnesium, acetyl-l-carnitine, essential fatty acids (especially DHA) and coenzyme Q10.
Proven Remedy #4 – Remove gluten from your diet.
84% of the general population has the gene for gluten intolerance.
If your ancestors came from Europe, it’s highly likely that you have the gene for gluten intolerance too, particularly if they came from:
- Ireland,
- England,
- Scotland,
- Scandinavia,
- Germany, or
- Eastern Europe.
Gluten intolerance is known to cause over 200 different medical conditions, including migraine headaches.
If migraines tend to run in your family this is a good indicator that you may have the gluten gene and should do a two month trial of a totally gluten free diet.
If migraines do not run in your family I still strongly suggest that you do a two month trial on a gluten free diet.
The underlying causes of migraine headaches are more extensive than this simple list of four, which can make it complicated to remedy and a good reason to find a good Functional Medicine Doctor to work with.
And, once the causes of your migraines are found and corrected it can lead to tremendous changes in your quality of life.
Can you imagine never having a migraine again?
It’s more than possible!
Dr. Carri Drzyzga, DC, ND – The Functional Medicine Doc
Find the Cause. Fix the Cause. Feel Normal Again!
