There are numerous causes for migraines, as indicated by how many  varied
answers have already appeared here on this topic. But one thing not  mentioned,
is Tyramine sensitivity. Tyramine is an amino acid that appears  primarily in
protein and some vegetable foods that are aged, smoked, etc.  Some foods high
in Tyramine include aged hard cheeses, red wine, smoked meats,  and overripe
bananas and avocados. Tyramine sensitivity is a "threshold  phenomenon", meaning
that one doesn't react to any tiny exposure, as  in an allergy, but rather,
can handle some specific amount without trouble, and  then, after having
consumed too much, one suddenly gets a migraine. This is why  people often fail to
connect something they ate 3 days ago to the ensuing  migraine.

Wheat (gluten), chocolate, MSG, and Aspartame have also been  implicated. If
one has a mild sensitivity to all of these things, along with  blood sugar
problems, it is easy to see how difficult migraines can be to  control while
eating the SAD. For me, eating a carbohydrate controlled Paleo  diet effectively
eliminates all of my own triggers. If I stray, I  pay!

Maddy Mason
Hudson Valley, NY

Erik F. writes:

However,  the best way for me to trigger a migraine attack is to drink 1-2
glasses of  wine in the evening. The next day when I wake up, I'm not hung-over
but feel  moderately sluggish. Over the next 3-4 hours a migraine attack
develops.  Enyone else have this experience, that going paleo has increased your
sensitivity to alcohol?



Thomas Bridgeland writes:

Anything that causes constipation contributes to migraine, seems to me.
Bread, cheese, even bananas.