Eating more fish may help to reduce migraines ─Study

*Researchers say certain changes in diet could offer some relief for consumers who suffer from migraine pains

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

Researchers from the National Institutes of Health and the National Institute of Aging A in a fresh study explored a dietary change that may help consumers who suffer from migraines.

The research team in their findings stated following a diet that includes more fish oil, as opposed to vegetable oil, may help to reduce migraines.

Researcher Dr. Luigi Ferrucci said: “This research found intriguing evidence that dietary changes have potential for improving a very debilitating chronic pain condition like migraines without the related downside of prescribed medications.”

In exploring how diets can benefit chronic migraines for the study, the researchers had nearly 200 adults follow one of three healthy diet plans for 16 weeks.

A group ate foods high in fatty fish oils and low in unsaturated fat; a second group followed a diet high in fatty fish oils and high in unsaturated fat; and the third group ate foods high in unsaturated fats and low in fish oils.

Over the course of the study, the participants recorded their experience with migraines and how they impacted their quality of life.

The study findings said the researchers learned that following a diet that was lower in unsaturated fat and higher in fish oil was associated with better migraine outcomes. Participants in this group also experienced fewer headaches, less intense headaches, and the duration of their headaches was also reduced.

Overall, migraines and migraine-related symptoms improved by up to 40 percent with this dietary change.

Following a daily routine can be difficult for some migraine sufferers because the pain can make it harder to perform job duties, do household chores, or socialise with friends, they noted.

While the participants only noted a slight improvement to their overall quality of life through the diet change, the researchers hope their findings can help more people better manage their pain on a daily basis.

Chris Ramsden, one of the researchers, stated: “Changes in diet could offer some relief for the millions of Americans who suffer from migraine pain.

“It’s further evidence that the foods we eat can influence pain pathways.”