Abstract
This study investigated the relationship between headache and dietary consumption of a variety of nutrients in middle-aged women. This cross-sectional analysis used first-visit records of 405 women aged 40–59 years. The frequency of headaches was assessed using the Menopausal Health-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire. Of the 43 major nutrient intakes surveyed using the brief-type self-administered diet history questionnaire, those that were not shared between women with and without frequent headaches were selected. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify nutrients independently associated with frequent headaches. After adjusting for background factors related to frequent headache (vasomotor, insomnia, anxiety, and depression symptoms), the estimated dietary intake of isoflavones (daidzein + genistein) (mg/1000 kcal/day) was negatively associated with frequent headaches (adjusted odds, 0.974; 95% confidence interval, 0.950–0.999). Moreover, the estimated isoflavone intake was not significantly associated with headache frequency in the premenopausal group, whereas it significantly correlated with that in the peri- and post-menopausal groups. Headache in peri- and post-menopausal women was inversely correlated with the dietary intake of isoflavones. Diets rich in isoflavones may improve headaches in middle-aged women.
Highlights
Headache is quite common among women and is one of the most prevalent symptoms of menopause [1]
The two most common subtypes of headache are tension headaches and migraines. The former is reported to be unchanged or worsened after menopause in more than two-thirds of female patients [3]. As the latter can be triggered by estrogen withdrawal, symptoms tend to improve after menopause [4] it is still reported in 11–24% of post-menopausal women [4]
The estimated intakes of vitamin K, daidzein, and genistein were lower in women with frequent headaches than in those without
Summary
Headache is quite common among women and is one of the most prevalent symptoms of menopause [1]. The two most common subtypes of headache are tension headaches and migraines. The former is reported to be unchanged or worsened after menopause in more than two-thirds of female patients [3]. As the latter can be triggered by estrogen withdrawal, symptoms tend to improve after menopause [4] it is still reported in 11–24% of post-menopausal women [4]. Studies have shown that specific diets, such as a low-calorie diet, carbohydraterestricted diet, and weight-loss diets for obese patients, can improve headaches [5]. In a randomized controlled trial of 182 patients, high n-3 fatty acid diets ameliorated the frequency and severity of headache compared to the control diet [6]
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