Welcome to the fifth installment of my eight-part blog series – “Keto Heals”. This series highlights the top health markers improved, reversed, managed, or completely healed through my Keto and Intermittent Fasting lifestyle.
When I started out on my journey, I absolutely loved reading success stories. The stories, like mine, on Diet Doctor kept me going throughout my entire journey. I hope my story will inspire you on your journey to better health and wellness.
(Disclaimer: I am not a health care professional. I am writing about my personal experiences to encourage others to research a low-carb lifestyle. You should always work closely with a health care professional to manage your health. I work with three MDs to manage my health: functional medicine, cardiology, and sleep/pulmonology. They treat my metabolic dysfunctions along with monitoring my important blood markers routinely. Keto or LCHF may not be an appropriate way of eating for your metabolic health or other health needs. Please check with your personal health care professional before making any changes in your diet.)
You’ve heard of the Excedrin headache! The “before Keto” story of my life. Head pounding. Boom. Boom. Boom! Every. Single. Day.
As a carb addict, daily headaches were my norm. So routine, I typically woke up with a headache. Or I would develop one in the middle of the day. Or I would head off to bed early after a headache-inducing, stressful day.
I lived on Excedrin – Extra Strength or Migraine, please. I didn’t leave the house without a bottle of Excedrin in my purse.
I didn’t know at the time carbs and sugar were probably at fault for my booming headaches. Sugar swings all day long – the culprit of my misery? Sugar causes inflammation – a factor in my daily headaches? I’m guessing YES to both!
My monthly migraines were brought on by monthly hormonal shifts – my completely whacked out hormones! Would quitting sugar and going Keto help with these hormone disruptions? I’m guessing YES!
How can I be so certain in my guessing? I’ve not had a single migraine since I quit sugar, and I’ve not had daily headaches since I fully adapted my Keto lifestyle.
I’m here to tell my N of 1 experiment. (Note: conduct by yours truly, not a clinic). My Keto lifestyle has completely eliminated my daily headaches and my monthly migraines. I know it’s just my anecdotal evidence and not very scientific – but one of the best benefits of my Keto lifestyle.
My headaches would often put me out of commission. In addition to taking Excedrin daily, I spent a lot of time lying down with an ice pack on my head in an effort to eliminate the pounding.
I no longer have to worry about this disruption in my life. I no longer have to keep a bottle of Excedrin in my purse. I no longer have to miss out on life because of a headache or migraine.
I did a little bit of research to back up my results. As the Keto and Low-Carb lifestyle are tested, I’m confident science will back up a story like mine forheadache and migraine sufferers. Here’s one such study:
Less carbs, more fat: ketogenic diet makes migraine patients’ headaches disappear
Due to my results, I am fully convinced hormone control leads to this wonderful benefit! Here’s another study I came across indicating my insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome played a role in my migraines and headaches:
The Relationship Between Migraine and Glucose Metabolism
If you have a Diet Doctor subscription (which I HIGHLY recommend), you should check out Elena’s story here:
Pay attention to the fact Elena mentions balancing your electrolytes is an important part of a Keto lifestyle, too (to avoid headaches and other serious complications). I do supplement with magnesium citrate based on my doctor’s recommendation. This can be a factor in my headaches disappearing.
Elena also discusses the genetic factors that cause migraines. If you suffer, I encourage you to watch her interview and to research if quitting sugar and carbs will improve your condition!
It’s my hope as scientists and health care professionals begin acknowledging the benefits of quitting sugar and carbs, they will recommend this lifestyle to help patients treat headaches and migraines. Not having daily headaches changed my life for the better!
Before I end this blog, I have to make one recommendation for any wine drinkers. I started drinking red wine a little over a year ago because I learned carb count is lower than white wine. I would pick a wine in the grocery store based on the “pretty” label.
I always ended up with a “red wine” headache even after just one glass. Discovering “clean crafted” wine is a complete game changer. I now can enjoy a glass of wine and not wake up with a “red wine” headache. Scout & Cellar also carries low-carb whites, roses, and bubblies. Guaranteed 2 grams carbs or less per 5 ounce serving with only 100 calories per serving! CHEERS!
If you’re intrigued by lifestyle friendly wine – please check out my wine shop and the fabulous wines scouted from around the world. Joyful Keto Wine (see the link in the sidebar). I have not been disappointed by a single bottle I’ve uncorked.
So, there you have it! I’m completely headache free and the makers of Excedrin truly miss my business! No more ice packs and no more crawling up to my bed to sleep off that misery. Keto kicks sugar’s butt again!
If you enjoyed this blog, I would be so honored if you would share it with your friends and family. You can also find my blog posted on my Facebook page “Joyful Keto Life”. Please like my page and share. Also, please subscribe to my newsletter list below to be kept in the loop! Don’t forget to “Choose Joy”!
Installment 1 Keto Heals: {Exhaustion}
Installment 2 Keto Heals: {Obesity}
Installment 3 Keto Heals: {NAFLD | Fatty Liver}
Installment 4 Keto Heals: {OSA | Obstructive Sleep Apnea}
Installment 5 Keto Heals: {Migraines and Headaches}
Installment 6 Keto Heals: {Inflammation and Joint Pain}
Installment 7 Keto Heals: {Metabolic Syndrome}
Installment 8 Keto Heals: {Insulin Resistance}
I’ve created a free resource for you with my favorite five tips for your weight loss success. Grab it here:
5 Tips to Jumpstart Your Health and Wellness Journey
Yes — My little purse-sized Excedrin bottle is no longer needed and sits on a shelf at home !!
YAY! And that’s where it will stay!