The Complete Migraine Health, Diet Guide and Cookbook: Practical Solutions For Managing Migraine and Headache Pain Plus 150 Recipes

by Lawrence Leung, Susan Hannah, Elizabeth Dares-Dobbie

Despite the prevalence of migraine, tension and cluster headaches in the Western world, headaches still challenge the medical community. While there is no one cause or a specific cure, recent evidence-based research has shown that these headaches are associated with high levels of histamines in the body, and these can be managed effectively through diet and nutrition. The Complete Migraine Health, Diet Guide and Cookbook presents this histamine hypothesis as a way for you to understand your headaches and leads you through steps intended to help prevent your headaches, avoid headaches altogether, or rescue you from your headaches when they occur. The Migraine Free Program will help you
The authors bring a unique collection of education, experience, and skills together to guide and support people who suffer from migraine, cluster, and tension headaches.

Genres: Nonfiction, Health

336 pages, Paperback

First published September 17, 2013

Reviews

[Justin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This looks like a comprehensive migraine resource. I only read the histamine sections which were useful. I was hoping this book would have a more scientific explanation of why some of us have histamine problems and how to fix them. This was mostly a few lists of high histamine foods

[Pascale Planet · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first half of this book is really insightful and important for understanding migraines and the current scientific knowledge about them. However, the second half delves into histamine and advocates for a very strict diet excluding it. Based on my own experience, I haven't found success in avoiding specific foods, but that might just be me. Migraines are a complex neurological condition, and they aren't solely caused by diet.

To complement the insights from the first half, I used Migraine Québec's 'Guide d'autogestion de la migraine' to gain a deeper understanding of how to manage my chronic migraine while waiting for a neurologist.

[Teena in Toronto · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've suffered from headaches since I was a kid. Some people get headaches and they are just a minor annoyance. For me, it's all or nothing ... I get wicked headaches and unless I do something about it right away when I feel one coming (I've discovered that a generic over-the-counter combo of acetaminophen, caffeine and codeine phosphate gets rid of it), my head feels like it's going to explode and it's hard to function. So that's why I was interested in reading this book.

It's a great resource for headache and migraine sufferers. It's made up for four parts:

Part 1: Understanding Migraine, Cluster and Tension Headaches

* Who gets Migraine, Cluster, and Tension Headaches?
* Possible Causes and Triggers
* How are Migraine, Clubster and Tension Headaches Diagnosed
* Other Associate Conditions

Part 2: Managing Primary Headaches

* Lifestyle Changes
* The PARR Lifestyle Program
* Medications for Primary Headaches
* Physiotherapy for Primary Headaches
* Surgery for Headaches
* Complementary and Alternative Medicine
* Nutritional and Botanical Supplements
* Dietary Therapy

Part 3: Low-Histamine Diet Program

* Low-Histamine Diet Principles and Practices
* Low-Histamine Diet Program Cooking Tips
* Low-Histamine Diet Menu Plans

Part 4: Recipes for Primary Headache Relief

I get headaches when I don't get enough sleep. But it was interesting to read in detail how food may also trigger them. In the new year, I'll start tracking my food and see if one or more of the trigger foods bring them on.

I liked the summary of the food groups in the "Dietary Therapy" section. At a glance, for example, I read that strawberries, tomatoes and bananas may be trigger foods for me. In Part 3, there is a detailed listing of foods to avoid, foods to limit, foods to eliminate and foods to enjoy because of the levels of histamine.

Not surprising, anything that is bad for you for many reasons should be avoided or eliminate. Surprisingly, though, the recipes look good. Like Lemon-Thyme Roast Chicken, One-Hour Roast Chicken with Sage and Garlic, Honey Lemon Chicken, Oven-Baked Beef Stew, Lemon Yogurt Pops, Blueberry Lemon Cornmeal Muffins, etc. Along with the recipes is a breakdown of the calorie count, protein, carb and fat count. I'm looking forward to trying some of the recipes!

Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2013/12...

[Adrienna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to read a book on this notion. I was at my local library and saw it on the main wall in passing. I past it the first time in the library, but this second round, no way.

I definitely verified that I suffer from tension headaches and possibly cluster. Had migraines as well. Searching for relief this past 2013 year, and now willing to change the way I eat and find out more relief naturally instead of spending monies on OTC prescriptions.

I also see that I suffered/suffering from chronic tension type headaches. It can last for days (which was my issue for awhile). I try not to stress out but my head tells me otherwise, and minor pains in my shoulders and neck too. This is the most challenging to treat as the book describes on page 21 due to increased sensitivity to pain (which I confused with migraines due to sensitive to sound and light that is similar symptoms to migraine. I have purchased pills for headaches extra strength, tension headaches but has caffeine that makes my acid reflux stir sometimes, or migraine pills and sometimes help but not the real issue). It does bother me in my temples and sometimes jawline (thinking it was dental related but now have went to dentist at the end of the year so eliminated this issue, and now updating glasses after seeing eye doctor end of the year to eliminate this as the issue for massive headaches). I have people praying but want to cure it from inside out too.

Moreover this book opened my eyes to insight on these three types of headaches, wrote portions/servings to eat for female, and took heed to some of the foods that cause headaches. I knew very little info about certain foods and offers recipes at the middle to end of the book.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher to provide a review (contest win from LibraryThing Early Reviewer program).

Adrienna Turner

[Jennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A migraine sufferer myself I am always keen to know more about it. This book explains the difference between allergy and sensitivity-something I had never considered.

Recipes are also included as well as the suggestion to avoid certain foods.

Great resource and one I will purchase for my library.

Check it out!