Trans fats are bad for migraines

Many people do not realize the enormous significance of dietary intake in the cause and elimination of migraine headaches. Yes, most migraineurs realize that there are certain triggers. I am not talking so much about these triggers; even though they are definitely significant in migraine attacks.

Trans fats, found in poly saturated vegetable oils (shortenings) and all highly heated oils, become stable and hard for the body to break down. Trans fats are more inert and nonreactive to body chemistry.

Trans fats are simply hard to metabolize and eliminate from the body. According to Dr. DeMaria's book: "Dr. Bob's TransFat Survival Guide", the half life is 18 days. Realistically it takes 51 days to purge your body of most of a trans fat.


If you eat a lot of french fries or consume a lot of shortening, margarine and preserved foods, you accumulate these harmful fats. You tax and overload you body, especially the liver and kidneys.

How do these "fats" work? Trans fats cause inflammation in the body, resulting in aches and pains everywhere. Postglandins, which are natural pain relievers are neutralized. Not surprisingly the body chemistry is disrupted and I'm convinced that future research will co-relate increased migraines due to the blood vessel inflammation from these agents.

Research has already shown that inflammation due to homocysteine, from excess red meat consumption, significantly increases migraine headaches. I would say ditto to all preservatives. If you have difficulty in metabolizing and elimination of any irritants such toxic chemicals and preservatives, you can trigger headaches.

I do not advise you what to do, but I find a diet free of anything toxic or inflammatory eliminates 95% of my vascular headaches. Man adulterated foods and preservatives are generally bad.

What also helps? A good vitamin B complex supplement that includes B-2, B-6, B-12 and Folic acid significantly reduces migraine headaches in proven studies. Magnesium is beneficial. Also there are other supplements that help prevent migraine headaches...Denis Van Loan DDS


For more free information on migraine headache relief go to to my website of http://www.migraineheadache-relief.com/