A recent study led by researchers at the UNC School of Medicine has found that dietary changes can significantly reduce persistent post-traumatic headaches, a common issue following traumatic brain injury. The research involved collaboration with the Uniformed Services University and the National Institutes of Health.
The clinical trial, published in the Journal of Neurotrauma, included 122 military health care beneficiaries who suffer from chronic headaches after experiencing a traumatic brain injury. Participants were asked to follow one of two diets for 12 weeks: a control diet with typical US levels of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids or an intervention diet that increased omega-3 and decreased omega-6 fatty acids. The trial took place at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Maryland, Alexander T. Augusta Military Medical Center in Virginia, and Womack Army Medical Center in North Carolina.
Daisy Zamora, PhD, lead author and associate professor at UNC’s Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, noted the significance of these findings: “This study is particularly exciting because it suggests that dietary interventions can stabilize neuroinflammatory processes triggered by brain injury.”
Participants on the intervention diet experienced approximately two fewer headache days per month and a 30% reduction in daily headache pain intensity compared to those on the control diet. Blood tests confirmed increased levels of anti-inflammatory omega-3 derivatives.
Kimbra Kenney, MD, professor at the Uniformed Services University’s Department of Neurology and lead investigator on this study said: “This research provides a compelling case for considering dietary adjustments as an adjunctive treatment option.”
The study was supported by various institutions including the U.S Army Medical Research and Materiel Command through Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs for the Department of Defense.
