Food containing Omega-3 can relieve migraine, study

CAIRO – 20 April 2022: Migraine patients suffer from  a frequent headache that can hinder daily activities.

Symptoms may increase with fasting and prolonged abstinence from food and drinks; therefore, health experts advise adding foods rich in Omega-3 to your diet to get rid of migraine.

According to Migraine Again, a recent study from the National Institute on Aging and the University of North Carolina shows that a diet rich in Omega-3 fatty acids can reduce the frequency and severity of headache associated with migraine attacks. This benefit has been shown to be further enhanced when the diet includes a reduced amount of Omega-6 fatty acids.

Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids are involved in regulating pain and inflammation. Omega-3s are associated with anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects, while Omega-6s are associated with exacerbation of pain and even excitation of migraines in experimental models. This means that if you eat a range of foods containing Omega-6s in the lab, you are more likely to experience headaches.

There are three main types of Omega-3 fatty acids: Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). These essential fatty acids are not processed in the body and we have to get them through food and supplements.

Migraine Again website stated that Omega-6 fatty acids are also essential but tend to be found in more processed foods. Experts believe that too much Omega-6 and too little Omega-3 causes chronic disease - for example, migraines. Omega-3 increases our good cholesterol and is found in fatty and cold fish such as salmon, halibut, sardines, krill, mackerel, tuna and herring. It's also found in dark leafy green vegetables, chia seeds, flaxseeds, walnuts, and algae, as well as in eggs.

The website explained that Omega-6 lowers our good cholesterol, and it gets a bad reputation because it's found in corn-based products, such as oils, corn-fed beef and pourtly. Omega-6 can also be found in vegetable, sunflower, and soybean oils, all of which are common ingredients in processed foods. However, they are still necessary to survive. One can get them from nutritious foods like walnuts, fortified eggs, sunflower and pumpkin seeds.

Incorporating Omega-3s into your diet lowers triglyceride levels in the blood; lowers cholesterol levels; reduces the risk of heart disease; reduces the risk of stroke; relieves symptoms of depression and anxiety; relieves arthritis symptoms; reduces inflammation; helps protect against Alzheimer's disease; moisturizes the skin and supports the strengthening of nails; promotes shiny hair, and relieves discomfort of skin infections such as rosacea, psoriasis and eczema.