A migraine is a headache caused by dilation of the blood vessels in and around the brain. The causes of migraines can vary, and are often unknown. Research suggests, however, that migraines are often diet-related, and can possibly be avoided by looking after the gut.
The substance Tyramine is widely belived to cause migraines. Tyramine can be found in food substances such as chocolate, alcohol, and certain cheeses. It is also produced in the body by a bacteria called S. faecalis which converts the amino acid tyrosine into tyramine. If the body's levels of good bacteria are low, S. faecalis is able to overgrow and in turn produce more tyramine in the body.
Furthermore, a 2002 study at the university of Milan found 18% of chronic migraine sufferers to be infected with the pathogen Helicobacter pylori. When participants were given Lactobacilli probiotics as well as the usual antibiotics as treatment, intensity and frequency of headaches were significantly reduced.
Evidence hence suggests that supplementing with a reliable probiotic can decrease both frequency and intensity of migraines. Research into this domain, however, remains relatively sparse at present.
