Migraine

After suffering from migraines for over 15 years and changing doctors and meds along the way trying to find something that works, I was starting to accept the idea that i was just going to have to be in pain all the time.

About a month ago, a friend of mine mentioned a lady she worked with that gave up red meat and hasn't had a migraine since. Of course, my initial reaction was "Yeah sure". Then my mom told me about someone she knows who did the same thing. I was still skeptical, but then i started thinking, wait...i've tried soooo many other things. Why not this?

So as of July 2nd, i've had no red meat. The results? 9 straight days with no migraines!! I can't even tell you the last time i've ever gone 9 straight days with no pain! I don't ever remember going 4 straight days, let alone 9! I felt like a new person!

I think there really might be something to this 'no red meat' thing. I'm just not sure if its the red meat itself, or the additives, preservatives, etc they put in the packaging. I'll definitely be looking into this some more, but for now, i'm staying away from any red meat or packaged/processed anything. So far, July has been my best month this year!

Now, if only I could get a handle on those weather-related migraines...

Mindy

You are definetly on the right track! From my experience, I've found that it is not the type of meat. It is what is added to the meats. I have to stay away from all meats that have anything added to them. It does require a little extra effort to find all natural meats. I'm a country girl and try to work as much wild ,not farm raised, game into my diet as possible. This does help me.

If you buy foods that are not processed or are minimumly processed this may help with your migraines also. This has been my experience. I've noticed that I also have to be careful with the fruits and vegetables that I buy.

I can't eat most of the meat found at supermarkets these days specifically because of the additives. Most chemicals, additives, preservatives, what-have-you are either Migraine or IBS triggers for me. And because many meat (especially poultry) has broth added to make it juicier, I have trouble there too - the liquid added usually contains gluten and/or MSG, two things I have to always avoid.

I do still eat meat, though. We buy most of our meat directly from a local ranch that only sells pastured meat. I can also usually tolerate organic meats, but we usually spend the extra money on the local pastured meat and just eat a lot less of it. (Much of our protein comes from plant sources.)

Between having to avoid both gluten and MSG, I pretty much can't eat anything processed. The diet change has helped me lose about 75 pounds since January 2008 and has largely gotten my IBS under control, as well as guaranteeing I can avoid some of my Migraine triggers. (It hasn't eliminated my Migraines completely though, as I'm a pretty complex case.)

A friend of mine, after many years of migraines, finally put together the sulpha drugs is was allergic too were often in the meats he at, and would then get migraines. He now eats organic meats that the animals are not given additives and he does amazingly well.

Cindy

Yep. For me I think it's all the hormones added to meat and dairy. I now buy organic from local farmers and cut back my consumption. It has made a big difference! And I feel good about using products that are better for people, the environment, and animal welfare.