US BioTek Laboratories - News

Food-IgG Antibodies Associated with Migraine in Adult

The therapeutic impact of an IgG-based elimination diet in controlling migraine was assessed through a double-blind, randomized, controlled, cross-over study. A total of 30 patients (28 female and 2 male with an average age of 35±10 years), diagnosed with migraine without aura were recruited from a headache out-patient clinic at the hospital residence of one of the authors. These patients had been experiencing migraines for an average of 13 ± 9 years. Patients with pure menstrual migraine or other disorders associated with headache were excluded from the study. Following a six-week baseline, the patients were tested for IgG antibodies to 266 food antigens via ELISA. Most patients were moderately reactive to several foods based on their IgG titres. The food categories most frequently elevated included, spices (90%), seeds, nuts and seafood (80%), starch (73%), vegetables (70%) and cheese, fruit and sugar products (67%). Diets were arranged according to their IgG antibody results. The patients were randomized to either follow a six-week individualized diet that either included or excluded their IgG-reactive foods. Following a two-week washout period, the patients were crossed over to the alternate diet intervention for another six weeks. Both the patients and overseeing physicians were blinded to the antibody test results and order of the patient’s diet intervention. Parameters used for comparisons included number of headache days, migraine attack count, duration and severity, in addition to total medication intake. Compared to baseline and the inclusion diet period, there was a statistically significant reduction in the number of headache days, number of migraine attacks, and total medication intake during the exclusion diet period. Further, these benefits during the exclusion diet period were noted regardless of the order of the patient’s diet intervention (i.e.: exclusion diet followed by inclusion of IgG-reactive foods after two week washout or vice versa). Interestingly, the severity of headache attack, based on a visual analogue scale, and duration of attack did not change significantly between baseline, exclusion or inclusion diet phases among the patients. It is possible that the small study size, short duration of follow-up in addition to potential carry-over effects from a cross-over design could have impacted the results. A similar study of 56 adult migraineurs (Arroyave et al., 2007) showed elevated IgG antibodies to a number of foods tested in a panel of 108 food antigens, compared to a control group without migraine. An IgG-based exclusion diet also successfully controlled migraine attacks in these patients and, without the need for medication.

Elevated food specific-IgG has been noted in patients afflicted with irritable bowel syndrome. Food-IgG exclusion diets have been used successfully over the years for this condition (Atkinson, W., et al., 2004, Zar, S., et al., 2005, Zuo, X.L., et al., 2007). Taken together, these studies suggest a role for an IgG-based food hypersensitivity reaction. Although the pathophysiological mechanism of food specific-IgG antibodies remains to be fully elucidated, Wilders-Truschnig et al., 2008 noted a highly significant and tight correlation between food-specific IgG antibody levels and C-reactive protein (CRP), a known marker of systemic inflammation. These authors examined the relationship for significance between specific-IgG antibodies to food antigens, markers of systemic inflammation (CRP), and the development of early atherosclerotic lesions of the carotid artery. The authors found a highly significant and tight correlation between food-specific IgG antibody levels, C-reactive protein, and intima media thickness of the carotid artery (measured via ultrasound) in a group of obese patents compared to normal weight counterparts.

These findings hold important clinical considerations for treatment measures to manage inflammation in our patients whether it manifests in the form of migraine headaches, IBS or a prelude to cardiovascular disease.

US BioTek Laboratories IgG Food Specific Antibody Assessment Panels
Available for Serum or Whole Blood Specimens through Finger Stick

Back to Top            Back to previous page

Employee Webmail

Privacy Notice.     Legal Disclaimer.
Copyright © 2006 - 2012 US BioTek Laboratories, Inc. All rights reserved.