Breaking news: September 27, 2010 -
The gene for causing Migraine has been
discovered.
The TRESK gene is ACTIVATED by Glutamate which may
explain quite directly how MSG causes migraines in persons with a
particular version of this gene.
The
story from BBC.
The
gene
description.
According to
THIS article, GLUTAMATE ACTIVATES TRESK.
This would explain why
ibuprofen is
used to treat
headaches. It blocks glutamate that would
otherwise activate this gene. This may
finally be the smoking gun that proves HOW
MSG causes the terrible migraines suffered by
so many.
MSG has always been knows as a migraine trigger according to the Journal of
the American Medical Association:
http://www.hmc.psu.edu/childrens/healthinfo/articles/migraines.pdf
The fact that MSG is a migraine trigger is not
surprising when you consider that glutamate - the business end of MSG is a
calcium channel opener. (Most blood pressure lowering medications are
calcium channel blockers). It was previously known
that MSG affects blood vessel
vasoconstriction. but this may better explain why.
Also, there is a theory that migraines are caused by
inflammation in the mouth area pressing against nerves in the head. It
must be mentioned here that glutamate increases histamine response although
it does not initiate an immune antigen response. Histamine induces
inflammation.
Histamine also activates the TRESK gene.
Below is a story about a physician who treats his
migraine patients with an MSG-free diet:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5364970
Maybe now we have a better idea of why this
treatment works for so many.
Unfortunately, glutamate
is now allowed under the Codex Alimentarius as a subsitute for salt. We will
be seeing more folks with migraines as the food industry continues to roll
out more "low sodium" products.