Migraine and Keto Diet

The Keto Diet or Ketogenic Diet is a highly popular eating plan nowadays that basically runs around cutting your daily carb intake. It is defined as a low-carb, high-fat diet in which people eat low-carb and high-fat foods to enter the metabolic state of Ketosis. Keto Diet is considered an effective diet plant for weight because it shifts body energy fuel from carbohydrates to fats, so your body starts burning fats to meet its energy needs. As a result of this mechanism, the body starts losing weight effectively. 

However, like all other diets, Keto Diet has certain unwanted side effects. Migraine is one of these side effects which is described as a common neurological disease that causes a variety of symptoms, most notably a throbbing, pulsing headache on one side of your head. 

One of the bad things about migraine is that it gets worse with every passing day of your Keto Diet campaign. It usually lasts for a few hours to many days. 

In this article, you will learn what causes migraine on Keto Diet and how can you prevent it. So, Let’s get started!

What are the major causes of Migraine on the Keto Diet?

Several factors may cause Keto Migraine, most of them occur in the beginning of the Keto Diet. Following are some major causes that can be involved in migraine on Keto Diet. 

• Dehydration

Dehydration is one of the major causes of Migraine while on Keto Diet. It occurs because of the shifting of the body to the metabolic state of ketosis in which a person urinates frequently. When you start the Keto Diet, your stored carbs that are in the form of glycogen, start depleting. Several water molecules are bound to glycogen normally, but when glycogen breaks down, it releases a large amount of water that eliminates from the body in the form of urine. 

This high dehydration can lead to migraine. The low insulin production in the body also promotes dehydration. 

• Low Blood Sugar levels

This is another cause of Migraine on the Keto Diet. As we have mentioned earlier, Keto Diet is all about lowering down your daily carb intake and shifting your body fuel on fats. Normally, Glucose, a type of carbohydrate is the main source of fuel for your body and brain. But when you take fewer carbohydrates on Keto Diet, your body starts shifting to ketosis in which you start burning fat as your primary source of energy. As a result of this mechanism, your blood sugar level becomes low and starts continuously dropping. The sudden dropping of your blood sugar level cause stress in your brain that could result in mental fatigue and eventually migraine. 

These two are the major causes of Migraine on the Keto Diet. However, some other potential causes could lead to Migraine such as:

• Overuse of Medication and Diuretics

Due to certain medical conditions, people may use medication and diuretics prescribed by doctors. However, the overuse of these medications could lead to severe headaches and migraine. So, it is highly recommended you should not overuse diuretics or any other medications that can promote dehydration. 

• Use of Drugs

Although drugs are dangerous for health, particularly mental health, they are more prone to cause migraines on Keto Diet. So, you must avoid it. 

Age and other lifestyle-related factors such as poor sleep, skipping meals, and stress can also contribute to Migraine on Keto Diet. 

How can You prevent and treat Migraine on Keto Diet?

Migraine is not the only side effect associated with Keto Diet. People may suffer from dizziness, fatigue, constipation, or muscle cramps but all these side effects are associated with dehydration and low blood sugar levels one way or another. So, if somehow dehydration and low blood sugar level can be treated or prevented, you can get rid of these unwanted Keto Diet side effects. 

Following are some useful ways to prevent and treat Migraine cause by Keto Diet:

• Drink plenty of water

To curb the dehydration caused by the initial phase of the Keto Diet, it is recommended to drink plenty of water. It will save you from dehydration and eventually migraine. Drink at least 2 liters of water per day to stay hydrated all the time. 

• Avoid Alcohol Intake

As you know, alcohol is a strong diuretic that can promote dehydration and may increase the risk of migraine. So, you should avoid the intake of Alcohol on the Keto Diet. 

• Eat Water-rich foods 

Eat foods that are both low-carb and water-rich to maintain a healthy amount of water in your body. Cucumber, lettuce, zucchini, and cabbage are good examples of water-rich foods. Raw tomatoes and celery also have a high water content that can help keep you hydrated. 

• Eat electrolyte-rich foods or try an electrolyte supplement

The electrolyte can reduce the risk of dehydration significantly. Therefore, you should eat electrolyte-rich foods such as avocados, tomatoes, mushrooms, and spinach. These foods are high in potassium while almonds, oysters, and pumpkin seeds are high in magnesium. You can also take an electrolyte supplement to retain water in your body. 

• Salt Your food

Salting your food can reduce your risk of an electrolyte imbalance and eventually dehydration. However, avoid oversalting. 

Intense Exercise can also promote dehydration loss of water in the form of sweat. So, you should avoid intense exercise and workouts during the initial days of the Keto Diet. Intense workouts can also stress your body and increase your likelihood of migraine. 

If you feel good by following the above-mentioned steps, it’s ok but if migraine stays persistently, consult with your family doctor now. 

Thank You Very Much for your precious time!