Effect of a carbohydrate-rich diet, low in protein-tryptophan, in classic and common migraine

Because serotonin, released from platelets, has been suggested to initiate migraine, a decreased platelet serotonin content, attained by a reduced intake of serotonin and the serotonin precursor tryptophan, might be beneficial. In the brain, however, increased serotonin levels, achieved by a high carbohydrate intake, are probably favourable. Seven migraine patients (four with classic, three with common migraine) were placed on a carbohydrate-rich diet, low in protein-tryptophan. Three of the four classic migraineurs, but none of the common migraineurs, noted improvement in their migraine. Platelet serotonin uptake was within the normal range both before and at the end of the diet period. The apparent positive effect in the classic migraineurs could be due to a reduced intake of migraine-precipitating foods and/or increased brain serotonin levels.