In an earlier post I had written about a tasty ingredient which helps to relieve migraines. The issue is quite complicated as this next article shows us that there is no such thing as a blanket solution for everyone.
Can a tasty treat like chocolate really make migraines better? Find out what a new study shows and why migraine relief may be as close as your next candy bar.
Migraine headaches are one of the most common causes of missed days from work and school. Many people find these headaches to be so painful that their only recourse is to seek the solace of a dark room. Not only are they painful, but the symptoms can drag on for hours or even days without treatment. Although there are medications to help migraine headaches as well as reduce their frequency, these drugs often have side effects and some drugs can even cause rebound headaches and withdrawal symptoms. What if there was a natural way to relieve migraines without the need for prescription medications
Chocolate to Relieve Migraine Headaches?: A Study
A new study presented at the International Headache Society’s meeting shows that cocoa may have the potential to relieve migraine headaches naturally. According to a study conducted on rats, cocoa may be effective in reducing the inflammatory response associated with migraine headaches. The exact cause of migraines isn’t completely understood, but there are a variety of theories. It’s believed that irritation of the trigeminal nerve leads to an inflammatory response that triggers release of brain biochemicals known as neuropeptides which leads to headache pain. In rats, cocoa appears to block this inflammatory response that leads to painful migraine headaches.
In reality, the cause of migraine headaches is more complicated than this since other factors seem to be important – particularly serotonin levels. Serotonin is a brain neurotransmitter involved in mood, appetite, and sleep. Levels of serotonin drop at the onset of a migraine headache which serves as a trigger for release of the neuropeptides that cause pain. Because serotonin plays a key role in bringing on migraine headaches, anti-depressants that alter serotonin levels are sometimes used to prevent migraine headaches.
Chocolate: Does It Trigger or Help Migraine Headaches?
Interestingly, chocolate can be a migraine headache trigger for some people. Migraines can be brought on by certain foods such as red wine, certain cheese, beer, and yes, chocolate. It’s unclear what component of chocolate is actually triggering the headache, but it goes to show how complicated the issue of cocoa and migraine may be. Some component of cocoa or chocolate could trigger migraines, while another may relieve the symptoms.
Cocoa to Help Migraine Headaches: The Bottom Line
It’s too early to recommend cocoa as a natural way to relieve migraine headaches, particularly when it seems to trigger migraines in some people. More research is needed to determine exactly what component of cocoa is beneficial. What does the future hold for chocolate and migraines? Hopefully, further studies will reveal the answer.
By Kristie Leong MD
http://healthmad.com
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