Frederic Melton
Migraines can be triggered by a variety of factors, including environmental, physiological, and dietary factors. While the underlying cause of migraines is not fully understood, certain stimuli, known as triggers, can provoke a migraine attack in susceptible individuals. One of the well-known dietary triggers for migraines is tyramine, a substance found naturally in some foods, including aged cheeses. Cheddar cheese, being an aged cheese, is relatively high in tyramine content, which may make it a potential trigger for migraines in some individuals. However, it is important to note that the impact of cheddar cheese on migraines may vary from person to person, and keeping a migraine diary can help identify specific triggers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is cheddar cheese a migraine trigger? | Cheddar cheese is a high-tyramine food, and tyramine is a known migraine trigger. However, the link between tyramine and migraines is not fully understood. |
| Tyramine in cheddar cheese | Cheddar cheese is an aged cheese, and the longer a cheese ages, the more tyramine it contains. |
| Other high-tyramine foods | Aged, dried, fermented, or smoked meats; broad beans; citrus fruits; fermented soy products; and snow peas. |
| Other migraine triggers | Monosodium glutamate (MSG); artificial sweeteners; dehydration; stress; bright lights; loud noises; changes in sleep habits; changes in temperature; strong smells; and changes in hormone levels. |
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What You'll Learn
Tyramine in cheddar cheese
Tyramine, a natural compound found in plants and animals, is a known migraine trigger. It is a byproduct of the breakdown of tyrosine, an amino acid. While experts are still trying to fully understand the link between tyramine and migraines, one explanation is that it causes nerve cells in the brain to release the chemical norepinephrine, which increases blood pressure and heart rate.
Cheddar cheese is among the varieties of cheese that contain tyramine. Other tyramine-containing cheeses include aged cheeses, Stilton, blue, Camembert, Swiss, feta, Muenster, and Parmesan. Cheeses made from pasteurized milk, such as American cheese, cottage cheese, ricotta, and cream cheese, have lower levels of tyramine.
If you are sensitive to tyramine and experience migraines, it is recommended to maintain a low-tyramine diet. This involves avoiding aged, fermented, or smoked meats, certain types of cheese, and limiting the consumption of citrus fruits. Keeping a migraine diary can help identify specific triggers and determine if tyramine is a factor.
It is important to note that individual responses to tyramine may vary, and not everyone will experience migraines from consuming cheddar cheese or other tyramine-containing foods. However, for those susceptible, understanding and managing tyramine intake can be a crucial step towards preventing migraine attacks.
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Other food triggers
While cheddar cheese is not explicitly mentioned, aged cheeses, in general, are known to trigger migraines. This is due to the presence of tyramine, a substance that forms when bacteria break down proteins in food. Tyramine is a chemical associated with triggering headaches and migraines. The longer the cheese has been aged, the higher the tyramine content.
Tyramine is also found in other food products, including:
- Yogurt
- Nuts
- Beans
- Peas
- Broad beans
- Bananas
- Citrus fruits (oranges, lemons, and limes)
- Fermented soy products (miso, soy sauce, and teriyaki sauce)
In addition to tyramine-rich foods, other common food triggers for migraines include:
- Cured, dried, fermented, or smoked meats (e.g., deli meats, ham, hot dogs, sausages, salami, pepperoni, and aged chicken livers)
- Caffeine (from coffee, tea, or other sources)
- Alcohol
- Chocolate
- Peanut butter
It is important to note that food triggers can vary from person to person. Keeping a food journal or migraine diary can help individuals identify specific triggers and make informed dietary choices to reduce the risk of migraine attacks.
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Sensory stimuli triggers
- Bright lights, including sunlight, glare from snow or water, or fluorescent light bulbs.
- Flickering or intermittent lights, such as camera flashes, strobe lights, or other special effects lighting.
- Loud, harsh, or repetitive noises, especially if one cannot move away from the source.
- Strong smells.
In addition to these sensory stimuli, other environmental factors can also trigger migraine attacks. These include changes in weather, temperature, altitude, and even dehydration. It is important to note that triggers may vary from person to person, and a combination of triggers can lead to a migraine. Keeping a migraine diary can help identify specific triggers and patterns over time.
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Stress triggers
Stress is a common trigger for migraines, with as many as 80% of people who experience migraines listing it as a trigger. The link between stress and migraines can create a vicious cycle, with stress triggering a migraine, and the resulting chronic migraine pain increasing stress levels. This cycle can lower an individual's quality of life.
The migraine brain is vulnerable to changes, such as sleep and stress, and is best kept stable. When stress occurs, the brain's protective adaptive responses (allostatic responses) that maintain a stable state become overused and dysregulated. This results in wear and tear on the brain, which may alter brain networks both functionally and structurally. As a result, the brain responds abnormally to stressors and reaches an altered state, in which both behaviour and systemic physiology are altered in ways that can lead to further allostatic load.
Stress can also cause a "let down" migraine when stress levels abruptly decrease. This can occur when an individual is used to constant stress, and then their stress levels suddenly lower during a period of relaxation.
To manage stress, it is recommended to:
- Get regular exercise, such as a 30-minute daily walk
- Eat a healthy, balanced diet with plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
- Journal to express thoughts and emotions
- Get enough sleep by maintaining a regular bedtime routine
- Prioritize self-care and relaxation
- Stay organized by creating a daily schedule and prioritizing tasks
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Dehydration triggers
Dehydration is a common trigger for migraine headaches. About one-third of people with migraines report dehydration to be a trigger for their headaches. Dehydration is caused by a loss of fluids from the body, which can be exacerbated by vomiting, diarrhea, and illnesses. It is important to stay hydrated, as it regulates body temperature, prevents infections, and keeps organs functioning properly. Proper hydration can also improve sleep quality, cognition, and mood.
There are several signs and symptoms associated with dehydration, including dizziness, confusion, and a feeling of crankiness. However, by the time these symptoms appear, one may already be mildly dehydrated. Therefore, it is crucial to prioritize hydration and carry a water bottle to ensure adequate fluid intake throughout the day.
Dehydration can trigger migraines in several ways. One possibility is that dehydration causes the brain tissues to shrink, pulling away from the skull and putting pressure on nerves. Another theory is that dehydration makes one more sensitive to pain, intensifying the pain of a migraine. Additionally, dehydration can lead to mood changes, trouble sleeping, and problems concentrating, which may worsen the experience of a migraine.
While dehydration is a significant trigger for migraines, it is important to note that it is not the sole cause. Other factors, such as stress, hormonal changes, weather changes, sleep disturbances, and exposure to bright lights, strong smells, or loud noises, can also contribute to migraine attacks. Identifying and managing these triggers through lifestyle changes and medical advice are crucial steps in preventing and mitigating migraine attacks.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, cheddar cheese can trigger migraines as it is an aged cheese that contains tyramine, a substance that can cause migraine headaches.
Other types of cheese that contain tyramine include blue cheese, Swiss cheese, Gouda, Parmesan, feta, Muenster, and Camembert.
Other foods that contain tyramine include aged, dried, fermented, or smoked meats; fermented soy products such as miso, soy sauce, and teriyaki sauce; and citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
You can keep a migraine diary to track the time and date of your headaches, as well as any potential triggers, including food consumed. This can help you identify patterns and determine if cheddar cheese is a trigger for your migraines.
Yes, in addition to food triggers, migraine triggers can include environmental factors such as bright lights, loud noises, changes in temperature, and strong smells; physiological factors such as dehydration, hormonal changes, and stress; and changes in sleeping habits.
