Americans' desire to lose weight has boosted the popularity of diet plans such as the Atkins diet, which focuses on a low-carbohydrate approach to losing weight. While weight loss is a healthy goal, the diet is not without risks and side effects. One reported effect is an increase in headache frequency. Several factors contribute to this condition caused by the change in nutritional intake.
Features
The Atkins diet includes four distinct phases that can play a role in the occurrence of headaches. During the induction phase, carbohydrate consumption is limited to 20 g per day. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends that adults following a 2,000-calorie diet consume 271 g each day. The limit on carbs deprives the body of an important source of energy, forcing it to break down fat and protein.
Effects
To stay within the carb restrictions, you will likely receive inadequate amounts of important vitamins and minerals found in fruits and vegetables. One nutrient you might become deficient in is magnesium. A 2009 study in the "Clinical Journal of Pain" found that magnesium could help prevent migraines. With the Atkins diet, you will limit your consumption of foods containing this important mineral, including whole grains and fruits, setting the stage for deficiencies and headaches.
Caffeine
One of the goals of the Atkins diet is to help stabilize blood sugar. Caffeinated beverages are discouraged because of their impacts on glucose levels. A 2008 study in the "Current Pain and Headache Reports" described caffeine as having a mild analgesic effect on headache, concluding that caffeine withdrawal can trigger headaches. This aspect of the Atkins diet provides additional evidence of the link between the diet and headaches.
Dehydration
The purpose of the induction phase is to generate rapid weight loss to motivate you to stick with your new diet plan. However, most of your initial weight loss is likely to be water, warns MayoClinic.com. If you are not drinking enough water, you can become dehydrated, which increases your risk for headaches.
Weight Loss
The Atkins diet might not be the best choice for long-term weight loss, and the increased risk of headaches might not be worth following a diet with uncertain long-term effects. A 2003 study in the "New England Journal of Medicine" found that after six months, the Atkins diet is no more effective than a conventional diet that does not deprive you of proper nutrition.
References
- "Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution"; R. Atkins; 2002
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Chapter 2 Adequate Nutrients Within Calorie Needs
- "Clinical Journal of Pain"; Foods and Supplements in the Management of Migraine Headaches; C. Sun-Edelstein and A. Mauskop; June 2009
- "Current Pain and Headache Reports"; Caffeine and Headaches;R. Shapiro; August 2008
- MayoClinic.com: Atkins Diet: What's Behind the Claims?
- "New England Journal of Medicine"; A Randomized Trial of Low-Carbohydrate Diet for Obesity; G. Foster et al; May 2003
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