38 million Americans suffer from migraines on a regular basis. Are you one of them?
There are hundreds of migraine-causing culprits and a lot of potential remedies. How frustrating is that! When you feel like your migraine is blazing, the last thing you want to do is try a bajillion different remedies.
So when you’re sitting in a dark room for days and can’t move without the world spinning and your head wanting to explode… what do you do?
There is some brand new research that may have found a clue as to why some people get migraines as well as a simple preventative solution.
Researchers at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine found that the mouths of migraine sufferers harbor significantly more microbes with the ability to modify nitrates than people who do not get migraine headaches.
What does this mean, exactly?
Nitrates are compounds found in foods like processed meats and green leafy vegetables. A lot of people who suffer from migraine headaches say that they’ve found a connection between consuming nitrates and severe headaches.
You see, there is a specific bacteria in your mouth that modifies NITRATES into NITRITES. According to this study, people who get migraines have MORE of this bacteria than people who don’t.
This may give us a clue as to why nitrates affect people negatively while not bothering others.
And since the bacteria in your body is connected to a LOT of things… including your immune system, moods, hormones, digestion and cognitive abilities… it’s no wonder that they could play a role in your headaches!
So should you avoid nitrate containing foods?
First you have to understand the different between nitrates in MEAT and nitrates in VEGETABLES… because I have a hard time believing that anyone should be avoiding veggies!
Nitrates and nitrites are both naturally occurring chemical compounds found in soil, water, plants, etc. About 80% of the nitrates in your diet probably come from leafy greens and vegetables you eat. And that’s a good thing!
Studies have found that these naturally occurring nitrates may actually improve cardiovascular health, lower blood pressure and improve athletic performance. So keep filling your diet with these fabulous plants!
Sodium nitrate is a salt that has been used to preserve meat for decades. In the 20th century, scientists discovered that when sodium NITRATE interacts with the bacteria in meat, it turns into sodium NITRITE.
So now, instead of adding natural sodium nitrate to their meats for preservation, manufacturers most often just add a synthetic or fake sodium nitrite.
The problem with this synthetic nitrate is that when heated above a certain degree, it becomes a possible cause of cancer.
In 2010 the World Health Organization listed ingested nitrates and nitrites as probable human carcinogens.
So, do we know for sure that nitrates and nitrites cause migraines? No, further study is definitely needed… BUT a lot of people do notice that when they eat processed meats, they get headaches and migraines.
The simple solution? Avoid processed meats. Opt for fresh or frozen organic pastured meats whenever possible. These are much better for you anyway!
And for those times when a migraine hits and throws you under the bus, here’s a juice recipe to help manage the pain:
What other solutions have you found to your migraines? Share them below so we can all learn!
Remember, we’re in this together.
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Glenn was in an accident with a hockey puck that made it so his mouth had to be wired shut! While he was going through recovery he found that Organifi Protein sustained him in a healthy way where he was able to maintain his muscle mass while still be able to loose weight.
-Tragedy Turns to Opportunity, Weightloss and Holistic Health
Glenn was in an accident with a hockey puck that made it so his mouth had to be wired shut! While he was going through recovery he found that Organifi Protein sustained him in a healthy way where he was able to maintain his muscle mass while still be able to loose weight.
-Tragedy Turns to Opportunity, Weightloss and Holistic Health
