How the Ketogenic Diet Affects Migraine Symptoms:

How the Ketogenic Diet Affects Migraine Symptoms: Research and Insights
A crippling neurological disorder, migraines are typified by excruciating headaches that are frequently accompanied by light or sound sensitivity, nausea, and vomiting. Despite a wide range of therapeutic choices, millions of people worldwide still struggle to obtain effective relief from migraines. The possibility that the ketogenic (or “keto”) diet could reduce migraine symptoms has drawn more attention in recent years. Originally created to treat epilepsy, this low-carb, high-fat diet is now receiving attention for its possible therapeutic benefits on a variety of neurological disorders, including migraines. This article will examine the studies and findings about the effects of the ketogenic diet on migraine symptoms, including a thorough examination of the underlying mechanisms and its usefulness for migraineurs.
Understanding Migraines
According to the best migraine doctor specialist in Mumbai, It’s crucial to comprehend the nature of migraines before delving into the effects of the ketogenic diet. More than just a bad headache, a migraine is a complicated neurological disorder that can show up in a variety of ways, such as:
- Aura: A sensory disturbance (often visual) that precedes the headache in some sufferers.
- Throbbing pain: Usually localized on one side of the head.
- Nausea and vomiting: Common accompaniments to migraine attacks.
- Sensitivity to light and sound: This hypersensitivity often forces sufferers to retreat to dark, quiet environments.
Although the precise origin of migraines is still unknown, a number of factors are thought to be involved, including food, environmental triggers, hormone fluctuations, and genetic predisposition. Since these triggers might differ greatly from person to person, there is no one-size-fits-all method of managing the illness.
The Ketogenic Diet: An Overview

With a high-fat, moderate-protein, and extremely low-carb diet, the body is forced to switch from using glucose, which is made from carbohydrates, as its main energy source to using ketones, which are made by the liver from fat. The body goes into a state of ketosis, when it basically burns fat for energy, when carbohydrate consumption is substantially reduced.
The diet was first created in the 1920s to treat children with drug-resistant epilepsy, and it has been demonstrated to lessen seizure frequency and intensity in certain people. Over time, scientists have shown that the ketogenic diet may also help with other neurological disorders like Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and possibly migraines.
Mechanisms of the Ketogenic Diet in Migraine Relief

Research is still ongoing to determine the precise processes via which the ketogenic diet may lessen migraine symptoms. Nonetheless, a number of tenable theories have been put up, drawing from research on both humans and animals. These processes include oxidative stress, inflammation, neurotransmitter modulation, and energy consumption in the brain.
Stabilizing Brain Energy Metabolism
One of the main theories regarding how the ketogenic diet lessens migraine symptoms has to do with how the brain uses energy. When glucose metabolism is unable to meet the brain’s energy demands during a migraine episode, the brain may go through a brief energy crisis. The start of migraines can be attributed to neuronal hyperexcitability caused by this energy deficiency.
The ketogenic diet may help balance the energy supply to the brain by converting to ketones as an alternate fuel source. The brain uses ketones as a more effective and reliable energy source than glucose. Ketones may lessen the chance of migraines by enhancing mitochondrial function and delivering more steady energy, according to studies.
Reducing Inflammation
It is well recognized that migraines and other neurological disorders are influenced by chronic inflammation. Pro-inflammatory cytokine levels are frequently higher in migraineurs, which exacerbates the pain and other symptoms of an attack. It has been demonstrated that the ketogenic diet has anti-inflammatory properties, mainly through boosting the release of anti-inflammatory chemicals and decreasing the synthesis of pro-inflammatory cytokines.
By reducing the activation of specific pathways implicated in inflammatory reactions, a ketogenic diet lowers insulin levels, which in turn reduces inflammation. The ketogenic diet may lessen the frequency and intensity of migraine attacks by reducing systemic inflammation.
Balancing Neurotransmitters
Neurotransmitters that regulate mood, pain perception, and brain activity include serotonin, glutamate, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Migraines have been associated with imbalances in these neurotransmitters. For instance, excitotoxicity, a disorder in which neurons are harmed or killed by excessive stimulation, is caused by excessive glutamate activity and is believed to be a migraine trigger.
It has been demonstrated that the ketogenic diet alters neurotransmitter activity, especially by raising GABA levels and lowering glutamate excitotoxicity. One important aspect of migraine pathogenesis, neuronal hyperexcitability, may be lessened by this neurotransmitter balancing effect.
Reducing Oxidative Stress
When the body’s capacity to eliminate free radicals—unstable chemicals that might harm cells—with antioxidants is out of balance, oxidative stress results. This imbalance has been linked to the onset of migraines and can cause cellular damage. By increasing the generation of antioxidant defences and decreasing the creation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), the ketogenic diet may help reduce oxidative stress.
It has been demonstrated that ketones, especially beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), possess antioxidant qualities that shield neurons from oxidative damage. The ketogenic diet may help shield the brain from the cellular damage that causes migraines by lowering oxidative stress.
Research on the Ketogenic Diet and Migraines
Research on the ketogenic diet’s effects on migraines is still in its infancy, while its benefits on epilepsy are well established. Nonetheless, a number of research studies and anecdotal reports indicate encouraging outcomes.
Clinical Trials and Studies
In 2015, one of the first studies examining the impact of the ketogenic diet on migraines was released. For a month, a small sample of people with persistent migraines in this trial adhered to an extremely low-calorie ketogenic diet. When compared to individuals following a typical low-calorie diet, the results indicated a considerable decrease in the number of migraine days. Furthermore, those following a ketogenic diet claimed that their migraine attacks were less severe.
In 2020, a different study looked at how the ketogenic diet affected migraineurs over the long run. After three months of following a ketogenic diet, the individuals’ mood and general quality of life improved, and the frequency of migraines significantly decreased. According to these results, the ketogenic diet may be a useful long-term migraine treatment.
Anecdotal Evidence
Several anecdotal accounts from people who have effectively followed the ketogenic diet to lessen their migraine symptoms exist in addition to clinical research. After following the ketogenic diet, many migraineurs report that their migraines are occurring less frequently and with less intensity. Anecdotal evidence frequently offers important insights into the possible advantages of dietary changes for migraine control, even if it shouldn’t be regarded as definitive.
Practical Considerations for Migraine Sufferers
For those interested in trying the ketogenic diet to manage migraines, there are several important considerations:
1. Medical Supervision
It is crucial to speak with a healthcare professional before beginning the ketogenic diet, particularly for those who have underlying medical concerns. Restrictive in nature, the ketogenic diet may cause dietary deficits or an initial bout of “keto flu,” which is a term used to describe the flu-like symptoms that occur when the body enters ketosis. A dietician or medical professional can assist track your progress and make sure you are adhering to the diet in a healthy manner. The Restorative & Regenerative Medicine at Jaslok hospital has a team of the best migraine doctors in Mumbai. They will guide you well regarding the diet for managing your migraine symptoms.
2. Consistency and Long-Term Commitment
According to the top migraine specialist in Mumbai, in order to follow the ketogenic diet, one must consume a lot of good fats and drastically cut back on carbohydrates (usually fewer than 50 grams daily). Consistency is essential for the diet to be successful in treating migraines. The body may not fully adjust to ketosis for a few weeks, and long-term commitment is frequently required to observe long-lasting reductions in migraine symptoms.
3. Potential Side Effects
Although migraine sufferers may benefit from the ketogenic diet, some people may experience constipation, vitamin deficits, and elevated cholesterol as adverse effects. To prevent these possible negative effects, it is crucial to keep up a balanced diet full of fibre, vitamins, and minerals.
Migraine is treatable. It cannot be cured completely but the headaches could be reduced & the symptoms can lower down. But this would require proper treatment under expert migraine specialist in Mumbai. At our clinic, you can get treated with the best doctor in the town. Prof. (Dr.) Paresh K Doshi is Director of Department of Regenerative and Restorative Medicine at our TMS treatment hospital for migraine in Mumbai. Dr. Paresh Kishorchandra Doshi , M.S., M.Ch. is a leading neurosurgeon and a pioneer of stereotactic and functional neurological surgery in India. He was the first person to introduce Deep Brain stimulation therapy in India and is a leader in the field of Neuromodulation.