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Is There A Link To Migraine Headache In YOUR Mouth?

A recent study by the American Gut Project has uncovered that a new link to migraine headache may lie in the amount of nitrates, nitrite, and nitric oxide in the mouth/GI tract of an individual.  In their publication, entitled "Migraines Are Correlated with Higher Levels of Nitrate-,Nitrite, and Nitric-Oxide-Reducing Oral Microbes in the American Gut Project Cohort", study authors report that the amounts of these substances may be linked to the microbes in the mouth and gut.  Higher levels of nitrates seem to be present in migraine sufferers than non-sufferers. It has been known for a long time that nitrates are common headache triggers. For example, headaches can be a side effect of nitroglycerin, a pharmaceutical commonly used to treat angina.




For this project researchers collected over 2,000 oral and fecal samples from people with and without migraine issues. They discovered lower levels of nitrates, nitrite, and nitric oxide reductase genes in the samples from persons who suffer from migraines. This indicates that persons the normal flora of persons without migraine is better equipped to clear the system of the headache inducing nitrate products.

This leads to some interesting questions to consider in the future~~

How significant is this finding in the future treatment of migraine headache?

 Is it possible reduce the incidence migraine by altering the microbiome?

 Would it be possible to accomplish this by a specific diet or pro biotic supplement?

Pardon the pun, but it certainly is food for though, isn't it?

 Sources: Medscape; mSystems; American Gut Project; Wikimedia




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