Natalie Mead, a former software engineer, shares a powerful journey from debilitating chronic migraines to a life reclaimed through dietary intervention. Her story challenges conventional medical wisdom and offers hope to millions suffering from this disabling condition.
A Decade of Pain and Misdiagnosis
At the age of 27, Natalie experienced her first migraine, which persisted relentlessly for ten months. Even after that initial episode subsided, she was plagued by frequent, weeks-long attacks and sharp "icepick" headaches, leaving her in pain more often than not. The severity forced her to take leave from her job at Facebook, as screen exposure exacerbated her symptoms.
Over the next six years, Natalie was hospitalised four times for chronic migraine disorder, the most disabling form of migraine disease. This condition ranks as the second most common cause of disability worldwide, characterised by headaches on 15 or more days per month. She tried all available medications, despite their side-effects, and adopted a restrictive lifestyle, avoiding bright lights, loud noises, and a long list of foods like gluten, tomatoes, and dairy, based on advice from fellow sufferers.
The Medical Establishment's Stance
Early consultations with top neurologists yielded little relief. Despite normal MRI, CT scans, and bloodwork, one specialist delivered a grim prognosis: chronic migraine was an irreversible "Pandora's box" that couldn't be closed. This view reflects a prevailing theory in American medicine that chronic migraine results from central sensitisation, where the nervous system becomes overactivated, creating a self-perpetuating pain cycle.
Doctors and therapists urged Natalie to accept her condition, arguing that emotions like anger could worsen pain. This advice felt like a surrender, leaving her questioning how to live the rest of her life in such distress.
A Breakthrough Discovery
Almost a year ago, Natalie met Dr Kyle Bills, a neuroscientist in Provo, Utah, who offered a different perspective. After analysing data from a continuous glucose monitor, he identified metabolic irregularities as the root cause. Her migraines correlated with blood sugar spikes and dips, pointing to postprandial hypoglycemia, a blood sugar dysregulation condition.
Dr Bills' peer-reviewed research, published in Frontiers in Neurology, found similar dysregulation in most chronic migraine participants. He challenges the central sensitisation theory, proposing instead that chronic migraine begins when ongoing blood sugar issues overwhelm the hypothalamus, the brain region regulating insulin.
The Keto Diet Solution
Dr Bills recommended a ketogenic diet to address Natalie's postprandial hypoglycemia. While keto is commonly used for epilepsy, its application to migraines isn't far-fetched, as both conditions involve brain inflammation and electrical disturbances. After a three-month medical keto diet to reset her metabolism, Natalie's migraines ceased to be chronic.
Though she still experiences occasional episodic migraines, they are infrequent and less severe. Many former triggers no longer affect her, and she has returned to a relatively normal diet, including occasional indulgences like pizza, without relapse.
Hope and Controversy
Natalie's remission, now lasting ten months, represents a significant medical breakthrough. Dr Bills' findings suggest that chronic migraine, affecting about 2% of the global population, can be reversible in some cases, contrary to long-held beliefs.
However, this discovery isn't without controversy. When Natalie shared her recovery with a pain-scientist friend, she was met with scepticism, as it contradicted the central sensitisation paradigm. They agreed to disagree, highlighting the ongoing debate in the medical community.
While questions remain about potential relapse, Natalie's experience has restored hope—a sentiment she likens to the hope left in Pandora's box. Her story underscores the importance of exploring alternative causes and treatments for chronic conditions, offering a beacon for others struggling with similar health challenges.
