title: Low-lipid diet reduces frequency and severity of acute migraine attacks.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There is uncertainty regarding the prevention of migraine crises by changing the lifestyle of patients. The aim of this randomized, crossover intervention trial was to evaluate the effects of a low lipid intake on the incidence and severity of migraine crises, in comparison to a diet with moderate lipid intake.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After a 2-month run-in when patients received preventive medication but were left on their habitual diet, a low-lipid or a normal-lipid diet was randomly prescribed for 3 months and thereafter diets were crossed over for the following 3 months. Headache was diagnosed based on the International Classification of Headache Disorders (IHCD) III criteria. The number and severity of attacks were assessed using a self-reported calendar. Adherence to the diet was assessed by a food frequency questionnaire. An analysis was performed on the 83 episodic or chronic migraineurs (63 female and 20 male), in the age range of 18-57 years, who completed both intervention periods. Obese subjects had a significantly higher number of attacks than those overweight or with normal body weight (24.7 ± 8, 16.3 ± 12, and 15.6 ± 11, respectively, p < 0.03) with a significant relationship between the body mass index (BMI) and the number of monthly attacks (r = 0.238, p < 0.03). The number (2.9 ± 3.7 vs. 6.8 ± 7.5, p < 0.001) and severity (1.2 + 0.9 vs. 1.7 ± 0.9, p < 0.01) of attacks significantly decreased during both intervention periods, with a significant difference in favour of the low-lipid diet.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this group of patients, the low-lipid diet significantly affected the number and severity of migraine attacks in comparison to a normal-lipid diet. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT 01917474.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Surgery, Federico 2nd University of Naples, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy. Electronic address: ferrara@unina.it.
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Ferrara
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Surgery, Federico 2nd University of Naples, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pacioni
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Surgery, Federico 2nd University of Naples, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Di Fronzo
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Surgery, Federico 2nd University of Naples, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: B F
authors.initials: BF
authors.lastname: Russo
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Surgery, Federico 2nd University of Naples, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Speranza
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Surgery, Federico 2nd University of Naples, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Carlino
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Surgery, Federico 2nd University of Naples, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gargiulo
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Surgery, Federico 2nd University of Naples, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ferrara
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D018752:Diet, Fat-Restricted; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002149:Energy Intake; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005229:Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000178:diet therapy*; D009752:Nutritional Status; D009765:Obesity / Q000178:diet therapy; D000069463:Olive Oil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D004041:Dietary Fats; D005227:Fatty Acids; D005229:Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated; D000069463:Olive Oil
keywords: Headache; Low-lipid diet; Moderate dietary fat restriction