Migraines and IF?

[Bumblebetty]

I’ve been doing 16/8 in a very general way for the last 2/3 months and in that time have had 2 migraines which I haven’t had since I was in my 20s. I know there are a lot of other things that could be triggering them but just wondering if anyone else had noticed a link between fasting and more migraines?

[S11m Volunteer 70lb IF20]

Hi, Bumblebetty , Welcome.

Praveen55 ... can you give us some input on this?

I had a headache for a month or so when I started IF.

See:

migrainetrust.org/about-mig...

Fasting or caloric-restricted dieting can cause hypoglycaemia - which can cause a migraine.

What they do not tell you is that ketones are good "brain food", so, when you have been fasting for a while, and you are in ketosis... hopefully you will not get migraines.

So, if you get an intolerable migraine while fasting - eating something might help.

Please keep us posted with your experiences - I would imagine that high Glycaemic index foods would give faster relief.

[Hidden]

Hi Bumblebetty, headaches when fasting can be caused by lack of salt and or magnesium which many people don't get enough in their diets.

One great way of getting salt would be with a bouillon which's salt and dried veg stock.

Magnesium is a muscle relaxant so helps us to relax and is great for muscle pain and is very beneficial for migraine sufferers, so you might find taking a magnesium supplement before fasting helps.

So good luck and do let us know how you get on.

Jerry 😊

[Praveen55 Star]

Bumblebetty

I agree with Hidden . Some time it can be due to lack of Electrolyte.

Other possibility:

Review your diet also. Are you on traditional high carb diet? That can be other reason. It is easier to be in fasting state with LCHF/KETO diet. On high carb diet, I used to feel terrible if I missed even one meal. But on LCHF diet, even on OMAD I do not feel any discomfort. I do feel some hunger pangs but that lasts for 10 - 20 mts only.