One of the main driving reasons to our family joining the vegan world was to try and alleviate my husbands relentless migraines. In the past we had tried multiple remedies, ranging from conventional medications (totally ineffective) to chiropractic care (a wonderful addition to our lives and one we still regularly use but not a remedy for the migraines), natural supplements (ineffective), taking Juice Plus+ (whole food supplement - in short, fruits and veggies in a capsule --- effective in reducing them and greatly improving overall health but not effective in eliminating the migraines)...nothing worked totally and completely. Over the years, we have been able to pinpoint his main triggers - dehydration, consumption of foods containing nitrates/nitrites (a preservative found in preparred meats such as bacon, smoked sausage, lunch meat etc), lack of sleep, overexertion (during workouts mainly), and stress. For the most part, we were able to stay on top of these triggers but the migraines continued. Sooo - we converted to a mainly vegan diet. As we continued eating vegan, the migraines faded almost completely. Most times my husband would eat meat (since he wasn't ready to completely eliminate it and still enjoyed it a couple times a month), a migraine would emmerge. Time progressed and the pattern continued - when he would eat a meal containing meat while at work or at someone else's house, he would get a migraine. Every once in a while, a migraine would be caused by one of his other triggers unavoidably (lack of sleep or high stress). The connection has been amazing. My husband agreed to try the "vegan thing" for a week - we are now on month 6! He is vitually migraine-free and we are loving the vegan lifestyle. I am learning more and more how to make things that our family loves and we are all enjoying good health. Though diet can be a challenging area to change, it is integral in every health condition! Every health challenge will be affected positively by the way one eats - it may not cure the problem but it will improve it to some extent. AND for those who don't believe a change in diet is possible, my husband is living proof that even meat-eaters can learn to love this way of eating. He comes from a family of meat-lovers and he has always loved meat too. He now eats meat as a treat a couple times a month but loves eating vegan the rest of the time...I never thought I would say that! For now, suffice it to say, our diet transformation has been more than worth it!

Patty! Great news! My migraines have improved a ton also...you can read my story on my blog (www.vocalvegan.com). You are right, it's a win-win-win!!!! Life with fewer and MUCH less painful headaches is so much better!!

Congrats! i suffered from migraines my entire life (or as long as i can remember). I would get about 2 per week and would have to take inhalers for them. I was a vegetarian for a long time and still had migraines during that time, but not until i became a vegan was when my migraines disappeared. I became a vegan for the sake of my son whom i was nursing (he was allergic to eggs, milk, and much more) after giving that up my migraines stopped. When i stopped nursing him 2 months ago i began to cheat and not worry as much, since then i have had numerous migraines, my skin has broken out and i just feel sluggish and I gained about 10 lbs in the past 2 months.. I'm working my way back into being a vegan since i know it really is the best for my body. Your story really shows how that being vegan is such a pure way of living. Good luck and congrats!

I love this story, the one thing that I always tell everyone about my own personal Vegan diet it that Ifeel so emotionally balanced after making the switch for vegetarian to Vegan. Its amazing how calming it is, instantly. I love hearing that from others also. Go Patty!

Congrats Patty! Your joy is evident!

I appreciate Alexandra's comment and context - our bodies are all different in little (or big) ways and they will lead us to our truths if we listen intently...

Wish I could say the same. I have had migraines since puberty, 4 every month. I have eating vegan since reading The Kind Diet in September 2010. I still have just as many migraines. They are hormonal. I had hoped eating vegan would help my acne, but it has not done that either. Now admittedly, I am eating more whole grains than vegetables. That is the last thing I can think of to change in my eating so see if it helps with either issue at all.

What strikes me in this beautiful photo is how serene you look! When I began this journey thats the first thing I noticed, a sense of calm. Continued good luck to you, and thank-you for sharing. Your story inspires me!

Christy

Wow Patty! That is wonderful news. Migraines are usually caused by Type IV delayed food sensitivities, so you were probably sensitive to animal products like cow's milk, yogurt, meat, fish, ect. By removing these from your diet you removed the source of migraine triggers. I specialize in LEAP testing, which is used in correcting IBS, Migraines, and other diseases of food sensitivities. The reason I bring this up is that every person is different in their reactions. For example, I am very reactive to soybeans, mushrooms, and corn- all items that are perfectly acceptable on a vegan diet. I am not reactive to items like turkey and yogurt, although I choose not to eat them because they are not in line with my ethical beliefs. So, by me just following a vegan diet, I would still have migraines. To figure out what you are reactive you, I test your blood against 150 common foods and additives. The more mediators released when coming in contact with the food, the more reactive you are. I then develop a elimination and rotation diet based on your blood work results. Everyone patient I've worked with who has stuck with the process has eliminated their problems. Find out more at www.nowLEAP.com or contact me. I'm not dismissing Pattys amazing changes, I just want to point out some background and alternative methods behind her success.

Thanks,

Alexandra Caspero MA, RD, CLT
www.delicious-knowledge.com

What an inspirational, wonderful success story. Hearing about Patty makes me even more determined to continue on with bettering my eating habits. Thank you Alicia for sharing and congrats Patty! You look amazing!!!