A groundbreaking clinical trial has revealed that making specific dietary changes can have a significant impact on reducing persistent post-traumatic headaches (pPTH) that often occur after traumatic brain injury (TBI). The study, conducted by researchers from the UNC School of Medicine, the Uniformed Services University, and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), demonstrated that increasing omega-3 fatty acids while decreasing omega-6 fatty acids in the diet led to a decrease in the frequency and severity of headaches.
Published in the Journal of Neurotrauma, the randomized trial involved 122 military health care beneficiaries who were experiencing chronic headaches following TBI. Participants were divided into two groups and assigned to follow either a control diet with typical U.S. levels of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, or an intervention diet that increased omega-3 and decreased omega-6 fatty acids for a period of 12 weeks. The trial took place at three different military medical centers.
Results showed that participants on the intervention diet experienced an average of two fewer headache days per month and a 30% reduction in daily headache pain intensity compared to those on the control diet. Blood tests confirmed that the intervention diet led to an increase in anti-inflammatory and pain-reducing omega-3 derivatives in the body.
Lead author Daisy Zamora, Ph.D., emphasized the significance of the study, stating that the findings suggest dietary interventions can help regulate neuroinflammatory processes triggered by brain injury. By adjusting the levels of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in the diet, researchers aim to better understand the body’s natural pain regulation mechanisms, which could lead to improved pain management strategies for various conditions.
Persistent post-traumatic headaches affect a substantial number of individuals after TBI, with military service members being particularly affected. Currently, there are no FDA-approved treatments specifically for pPTH. The study’s results indicate that targeted dietary changes could provide a safe and accessible way to manage pain, potentially enhancing the effectiveness of traditional pain treatments when used in conjunction.
Lead investigator Kimbra Kenney, MD, highlighted the potential of dietary adjustments as an adjunctive treatment option, particularly for populations like military personnel who are disproportionately impacted by TBI-related chronic headaches.
For more information on the study, the full research article can be found in the Journal of Neurotrauma under the title “A High Omega-3, Low Omega-6 Diet Reduces Headache Frequency and Intensity in Persistent Post-Traumatic Headache: A Randomized Trial.”
This research was conducted by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine and offers promising insights into the role of diet in managing post-traumatic headaches after brain injury.
