Veterans with Gulf War Illness have shown significant improvement in migraine symptoms after adhering to a low-glutamate diet, according to recent research from scientists at Georgetown University and American University. This study highlights a potential low-cost treatment option for veterans suffering from chronic neurological symptoms linked to their service during the 1990–1991 Gulf War.
The findings, presented on November 16, 2023, at the annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience in San Diego, revealed not only a reduction in migraine frequency but also measurable changes in brain structure. Brain scans indicated decreased cortical thickness in veterans who adopted the low-glutamate diet, offering the first evidence that dietary adjustments can lead to tangible brain changes, according to the study’s senior author, Ashley VanMeter, Ph.D., a professor of neurology at Georgetown University School of Medicine.
Understanding Gulf War Illness and the Role of Glutamate
Gulf War Illness affects over a quarter of veterans who served in the first Gulf War. Symptoms range from debilitating musculoskeletal pain to neurological issues, including migraines, which are believed to stem from exposure to neurotoxic chemicals during the conflict. Glutamate, an excitatory neurotransmitter found in high levels in processed foods and naturally in some other food items like tomatoes and mushrooms, is known to play a significant role in pain mediation.
The research collaboration with Kathleen Holton, Ph.D., MPH, a nutritional neuroscientist at American University, focused on a low-glutamate diet as a potential approach for managing neurological conditions. The diet is currently being tested in a large multi-site clinical trial to confirm its effectiveness in treating Gulf War Illness.
VanMeter expressed optimism about the research, stating, “This was an exciting opportunity to see if we can do something for these veterans who have literally been suffering since the 1990s.”
Study Details and Key Findings
Researchers began the study by comparing brain scans of veterans with Gulf War Illness to a healthy control group. They found that the veterans exhibited a significantly thicker right visual cortex, which correlated with a higher likelihood of experiencing migraines. In a follow-up study, participants with Gulf War Illness were placed on a low-glutamate diet for one month. The results were remarkable: brain scans showed a significant reduction in cortical thickness, and more than half of the veterans reported a drastic decrease in migraine frequency.
“More than half of the Gulf War veterans had migraines before the diet, and that dropped to under 20% after following the diet for one month,” VanMeter noted, emphasizing the significance of the results.
Holton added that the findings support their theory that glutamate may exacerbate Gulf War Illness symptoms by contributing to excitotoxicity, neuroinflammation, and oxidative stress. These processes could create a cycle that prolongs symptoms for susceptible individuals.
The study also observed improvements in other symptoms among those on the low-glutamate diet, including reduced widespread pain, fatigue, mood disturbances, and cognitive dysfunction. The researchers plan to publish additional findings from their ongoing study.
Expanding the Impact and Next Steps
The thickening of the visual cortex is a common feature among migraine sufferers, particularly those experiencing migraines with aura. This raises the possibility that a low-glutamate diet could benefit a broader population of migraine sufferers, potentially offering a dietary alternative to traditional medications.
“This is a very doable diet,” VanMeter stated. “It’s a healthy diet, it’s not that hard to follow, and it’s a very low-cost way of treating what for some individuals is a chronic and debilitating condition.”
Holton highlighted the implications of the study for understanding the health impacts of ultra-processed foods, noting, “This speaks to the fact that diet can not only make us sick but can also acutely treat our symptoms.”
Further research is underway to explore whether weakening of the blood-brain barrier contributes to glutamate sensitivity in individuals. The potential for dietary changes to alleviate chronic migraine symptoms represents a significant step forward in the management of Gulf War Illness and migraine treatment more broadly.
