Low-Glutamate Diet Shows Promise for Gulf War Veterans’ Migraines

Veterans suffering from Gulf War Illness have reported significant relief from migraines after adopting a diet low in glutamate, according to research presented by scientists from Georgetown University and American University. This groundbreaking study highlights the connection between dietary changes and measurable brain alterations, marking a potential breakthrough in treating chronic neurological symptoms experienced by these veterans since the 1990-1991 Gulf War.

The findings were unveiled on November 16, 2023, during the annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience in San Diego. Brain scans revealed decreased cortical thickness in participants adhering to the low-glutamate diet, supporting the idea that their symptom improvement is linked to observable changes in the brain structure.

Gulf War Illness affects over a quarter of veterans from the first Gulf War, leading to debilitating symptoms that include migraines, musculoskeletal pain, and gastrointestinal issues. The condition is believed to stem from exposure to neurotoxic chemicals during military service. Glutamate, a common flavor enhancer found in processed foods, plays a crucial role as the nervous system’s most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter and is linked to pain mediation.

Collaboration between the researchers and Kathleen Holton, a nutritional neuroscientist at American University, led to the development of the low-glutamate diet, which is currently being studied in a large multi-site clinical trial. Dr. Ashley VanMeter, the study’s senior author and a professor of neurology at Georgetown University School of Medicine, expressed optimism about the results. “This was exciting because it shows that the brain itself is responding and changing,” she stated. “This isn’t a psychological reaction. These are actual changes in the brain related to the diet.”

Key Findings from the Research

The study involved initial brain scans to compare cortical thickness between veterans with Gulf War Illness and a healthy control group. Findings showed that those with Gulf War Illness had a noticeably thicker right visual cortex and were more likely to experience migraines compared to their healthy counterparts. In a subsequent phase, participants followed the low-glutamate diet for one month. Post-diet scans indicated a significant reduction in cortical thickness, accompanied by a dramatic decrease in migraines and headaches.

Dr. VanMeter highlighted the results, noting that more than half of the Gulf War veterans reported migraines before the diet, which dropped to under 20% after one month. “So it was a very significant drop,” she added. The researchers attributed these changes to glutamate’s potential role in driving excitotoxicity, neuroinflammation, and oxidative stress within the brain—interconnected processes that may perpetuate symptoms.

Beyond migraines, participants on the low-glutamate diet also reported improvements in other symptoms, including widespread pain, fatigue, mood disorders, and cognitive dysfunction. The research team plans to share more findings from their ongoing study in the future.

Broader Implications for Migraine Treatment

The implications of this research extend beyond Gulf War veterans. Thickening of the visual cortex is commonly found in migraine sufferers, particularly those experiencing visual disturbances or aura. This raises the possibility that a low-glutamate diet could benefit a wider population of migraine sufferers, potentially serving as a non-pharmacological alternative to traditional medications.

“This is a very doable diet,” Dr. VanMeter stated. “It’s healthy, not that hard to follow, and a very low-cost way of treating what for some individuals is a chronic and debilitating condition.” Holton emphasized the importance of the study in the context of the growing evidence regarding the impact of ultra-processed foods on health. “This speaks to the fact that diet can not only make us sick but can also acutely treat our symptoms,” she said.

Follow-up research is underway to further investigate the findings, including potential links between glutamate sensitivity and the integrity of the blood-brain barrier. The ongoing studies aim to build upon these promising results and explore the broader implications of dietary interventions for neurological health.