Bushra Griffith
Swiss cheese is a type of aged cheese that contains tyramine, a natural compound that may trigger migraines in some people. Tyramine is an amino acid that forms as the proteins in cheese break down over time, and it is found in higher concentrations in aged cheeses. While there may be no single cause of migraine attacks, food is a common trigger, and keeping a food journal can help people identify their specific triggers. This article will explore the relationship between Swiss cheese and migraines, discuss the role of tyramine, and provide suggestions for alternative cheeses that may be less likely to trigger migraines.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Does Swiss cheese cause migraines? | Swiss cheese is an aged cheese, and aged cheeses are known to contain tyramine, a substance that can trigger migraines. |
| How does tyramine trigger migraines? | Experts are still trying to understand the exact mechanism, but one explanation is that tyramine causes nerve cells in the brain to release norepinephrine, a chemical that can lead to changes in the brain causing headaches. Tyramine is also vaso-active, meaning it affects blood vessel diameter, leading to vasoconstriction (narrowing) followed by dilation, resulting in the throbbing pain characteristic of migraines. |
| How to identify food triggers for migraines? | Keeping a migraine diary or food journal can help identify patterns and determine if Swiss cheese or other foods are triggers. Eliminating suspected foods one-by-one is also recommended. |
| Are there other foods that trigger migraines? | Yes, other foods that may trigger migraines include other aged cheeses such as cheddar, blue cheese, Parmesan, and Gouda; cured and processed meats; fermented foods; chocolate; wine; and citrus fruits. |
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What You'll Learn
Swiss cheese contains tyramine, which can trigger migraines
Swiss cheese contains tyramine, a substance found naturally in some foods, which can trigger migraine headaches. Tyramine is an amino acid that affects the diameter of the blood vessels in your brain and can bring on throbbing pain. The longer a cheese ages, the more tyramine it has, and the more likely it is to cause a migraine. Swiss cheese is an aged cheese, and therefore contains higher levels of tyramine.
Tyramine may cause nerve cells in your brain to release the chemical norepinephrine. Higher levels of tyramine in your system, along with an unusual level of brain chemicals, can cause changes in the brain that lead to headaches. The Cleveland Clinic notes that about 20% of headache and migraine sufferers are sensitive to certain foods, and many of these foods contain tyramine.
If you suspect that Swiss cheese or other aged cheeses are triggering your migraines, you can try keeping a food journal or a migraine diary to help you pinpoint any potential offenders. You can then slowly eliminate suspected trigger foods one by one to see if your migraines improve.
If you are a migraine sufferer, you may want to consider avoiding Swiss cheese and other aged cheeses such as cheddar, blue cheese, Parmesan, and feta, which are known to be high in tyramine. Fresh cheeses such as mozzarella, ricotta, and cottage cheese are typically safe for migraine sufferers, as they are lower in tyramine.
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Tyramine is a substance that causes changes in brain chemistry
Tyramine is a naturally occurring substance found in some foods, such as Swiss cheese, that can trigger migraine headaches. It is an amino acid that affects the diameter of the blood vessels in the brain, causing them to narrow (vasoconstriction) and then widen (dilation). This back-and-forth change in the blood vessels' width causes the throbbing pain characteristic of migraine headaches.
The longer a cheese ages, the more tyramine it contains. This is because tyramine forms as the proteins in cheese break down over time. Swiss cheese, being an aged cheese, typically has higher levels of tyramine compared to fresh cheeses like mozzarella or ricotta. Other examples of aged cheeses that contain tyramine include cheddar, blue cheese, Parmesan, and Gouda.
While tyramine is understood to be a migraine trigger, experts are still working to fully understand the exact mechanism by which it triggers migraines. One theory suggests that tyramine causes nerve cells in the brain to release the chemical norepinephrine, leading to changes in brain chemistry that result in headaches.
To determine if tyramine is a trigger for your migraines, it is recommended to keep a headache diary for several months. Note the time and date when a headache starts and record potential triggers, including food intake and environmental factors such as changes in temperature, strong smells, bright lights, or unusual stress. By identifying patterns, you can better understand your specific triggers and make informed dietary and lifestyle choices to reduce the frequency of migraine attacks.
If you suspect tyramine-rich foods like Swiss cheese are triggering your migraines, consider consulting a doctor or a healthcare professional for guidance on managing your diet and overall approach to migraine prevention and treatment.
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Aged cheeses are more likely to cause migraines
Swiss cheese is an aged cheese, and aged cheeses are more likely to cause migraines. This is due to the presence of tyramine, a substance that forms as the proteins in cheese break down over time. The longer a cheese ages, the more tyramine it contains. Tyramine is a vaso-active amino acid, which means it affects the diameter of the blood vessels in your brain and can bring on throbbing migraine pain.
Aged cheeses that are particularly high in tyramine include cheddar, Swiss, blue, brie, parmesan, gouda, asiago, muenster, feta, and Roquefort. The National Headache Foundation suggests limiting intake to four ounces for these aged cheeses. Fresh cheeses such as mozzarella, ricotta, cottage cheese, and cream cheese are lower in tyramine and less likely to trigger migraines.
If you suspect that cheese or other tyramine-rich foods are triggering your migraines, it is recommended to keep a food or migraine diary to help identify patterns and pinpoint specific triggers. This can involve tracking what you eat and when you experience migraines, as well as noting exposure to other common triggers such as changes in temperature, strong smells, bright lights, or unusual stress.
While food is a common trigger for migraines, it is important to note that triggers can vary from person to person, and a combination of factors often contributes to migraine attacks. It is always advisable to consult a doctor for a diagnosis and guidance on migraine relief options.
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Migraine sufferers can try a low-tyramine diet
While there are many factors that can trigger migraines, food is a common one. According to WebMD, tyramine, a substance found naturally in some foods, can trigger migraine headaches. Swiss cheese, being an aged cheese, is known to contain high levels of tyramine. Therefore, it may be a good idea for migraine sufferers to try a low-tyramine diet.
Tyramine is an amino acid that forms as the proteins in cheese break down over time. The longer a cheese ages, the more tyramine it contains. Other examples of aged cheeses include blue cheese, cheddar, gouda, parmesan, and feta. Apart from cheese, tyramine can also be found in processed or cured meats, fermented foods like sauerkraut and kimchi, and foods containing MSG, such as soy sauce, canned soups, and frozen meals.
To determine if tyramine is a trigger for your migraines, it is recommended to keep a headache diary for several months. Note the time and date when a headache starts, and answer questions such as whether you have been exposed to other common triggers like a change in altitude, temperature, or sleep habits. This can help you and your doctor identify if tyramine-rich foods are to blame for your migraines.
If you suspect that tyramine is a trigger, a low-tyramine diet may be beneficial. This involves avoiding aged cheeses and opting for fresh cheeses with lower tyramine levels, such as American cheese, cottage cheese, yogurt, fresh milk, farmer's cheese, cream cheese, sour cream, soy cheese, and soy milk. Fresh meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and canned meats are also lower in tyramine.
While a low-tyramine diet may be helpful, it is important to note that migraine triggers can vary from person to person. Therefore, it is advisable to consult a doctor for a proper diagnosis and relief options. Additionally, other factors beyond diet, such as environmental changes, stress, and bright lights, can also contribute to migraines.
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Migraines can be triggered by a variety of factors, not just food
While Swiss cheese is believed to be a potential trigger food for migraines, it is important to understand that migraines can be triggered by a multitude of factors, not just food. In fact, according to Dr. Anna Pace, assistant professor of neurology and headache medicine, "pure food triggers are rare".
Tyramine, a substance found in Swiss cheese, is thought to be a common trigger for migraines. Tyramine is an amino acid that forms as the proteins in cheese break down over time during the ageing process. The longer a cheese is aged, the more tyramine it contains. Swiss cheese is an aged cheese, and thus it falls into the category of cheeses that are higher in tyramine. Other examples of aged cheeses include cheddar, blue cheese, Parmesan, and Gouda. However, not all studies have conclusively connected migraine and cheese, and the exact mechanism by which tyramine triggers migraines is still being investigated.
Foods that contain yeast, such as sourdough bread and freshly baked goods, have also been associated with triggering migraine attacks. This is due to the presence of tyramine in yeast. Monosodium glutamate (MSG), a common food additive, has also been identified as a potential trigger by migraine sufferers, although scientific studies have not confirmed this connection.
In addition to food triggers, migraines can be triggered by environmental changes, tobacco, changes in hormone levels, stress, bright lights, loud noises, changes in sleep habits, and unusual stress. Alcohol consumption can also be a trigger, as it causes dehydration, which is a known trigger for migraines.
It is important to note that triggers can vary from person to person, and a combination of triggers may contribute to a migraine. Keeping a migraine diary or food journal can be a helpful way to identify specific triggers and patterns. This information can then be used to make informed decisions about dietary and lifestyle choices to help manage migraine symptoms.
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Frequently asked questions
Swiss cheese is an aged cheese, and aged cheeses are known to contain tyramine, a substance that can trigger migraines. However, not everyone reacts to tyramine in the same way, and it is not unusual for food to trigger migraines.
Tyramine is a natural substance found in some foods, including aged cheeses. It is an amino acid that affects the diameter of the blood vessels in your brain and can bring on throbbing migraine pain.
Keeping a migraine diary can help you determine which foods trigger your migraines. Note the time and date when a migraine starts, and answer questions like whether you've been exposed to other common triggers, such as a change in altitude or temperature.
Other foods that may trigger migraines include cured and processed meats, fermented foods like sauerkraut and kimchi, and foods containing monosodium glutamate (MSG).
Fresh cheeses like mozzarella, ricotta, cottage cheese, and cream cheese are typically safe for people with migraines. Other low-tyramine foods include fresh meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and fresh fruits.
