Can a keto diet help with migraines?

Written and verified by Holly Hazen

Many people living with migraine wonder whether diet could reduce the frequency or severity of their attacks. One question that often comes up is: can a keto diet help with migraines?

The ketogenic diet was originally developed nearly a century ago to help treat drug-resistant epilepsy in children. By drastically reducing carbohydrate intake and increasing fat consumption, the body shifts into a metabolic state called ketosis, where fat becomes the primary fuel source instead of glucose.

Researchers have recently begun studying whether this metabolic shift might also help people living with migraine.

Some early studies suggest the ketogenic diet may reduce migraine frequency, particularly in people with metabolic dysfunction, insulin resistance, or chronic migraine. However, like most migraine treatments, results vary widely between individuals.

What Is a Ketogenic Diet?

A ketogenic diet is a very low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet designed to shift the body into a state called nutritional ketosis.

Normally, the body runs primarily on glucose derived from carbohydrates. When carbohydrate intake is dramatically reduced, the liver begins producing molecules called ketone bodies, which can be used as an alternative energy source for the brain and muscles.

Typical macronutrient ratios for a ketogenic diet include:

• 70–80% fat

• 15–20% protein

• 5–10% carbohydrates
  
  

This metabolic state forces the body to rely on stored fat for energy rather than blood sugar.

What Is Ketosis?

Ketosis is a metabolic state where the body burns fat for energy instead of carbohydrates.

When carbohydrate intake drops very low, the liver begins producing molecules called ketone bodies. These ketones can be used by the brain and muscles as an alternative fuel source.

In nutritional ketosis, blood levels of beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) typically range between 0.5 and 3.0 millimoles.

This shift in energy metabolism is what researchers believe may influence migraine activity in some patients.

This is one reason researchers are studying whether ketogenic diets may help reduce migraine frequency.

Why Researchers Are Studying Keto for Migraine

Several biological mechanisms suggest a ketogenic diet could potentially influence migraine activity.

Researchers believe ketogenic diets may help by:

• improving brain energy metabolism

• stabilizing blood sugar and insulin levels

• reducing neuroinflammation

• altering neurotransmitter activity

• reducing cortical spreading depression, a process linked to migraine aura
  
  

Migraine has long been associated with what some researchers describe as an energy deficit in the brain. Ketone bodies may provide a more stable fuel source for neurons, which could help reduce attack frequency in some patients.

Can a Keto Diet Help with Migraines? What Research Shows

One frequently cited study conducted by researcher Cherubino Di Lorenzo evaluated the effects of a ketogenic diet in migraine patients. _[1]

Participants followed a ketogenic protocol for one month, followed by a five-month non-ketogenic phase. Researchers observed that:

• migraine frequency decreased significantly during the ketogenic phase

• headaches worsened again once the ketogenic phase ended
  
  

These results suggested that the metabolic effects of ketosis may have contributed to the improvement.

Researchers also observed that some participants had abnormal glucose tolerance, suggesting that stabilizing blood sugar and insulin responses could be part of the benefit.

While these findings are promising, more long-term studies are needed.

Who Might Benefit From a Ketogenic Diet for Migraine

Some researchers believe ketogenic diets may be most helpful for specific groups of migraine patients, including:

• people with drug-resistant migraine

• individuals with chronic migraine

• patients with insulin resistance or metabolic syndrome

• people who notice migraines triggered by high carbohydrate intake

• individuals with comorbid epilepsy
  
  

However, ketogenic diets may not be effective for other headache types, including:

• tension-type headaches

• cervicogenic headaches
  
  

As with most migraine strategies, individual response varies widely.

You might like to read about other diets you can test → Migraine Headaches Diet: What to Eat, What to Avoid and Diets to Test

How Blood Sugar and Insulin May Influence Migraine

Blood sugar fluctuations are a common migraine trigger for many people.

When large amounts of carbohydrates are consumed, insulin levels spike rapidly in order to move glucose out of the bloodstream. These spikes are often followed by sudden drops in blood sugar levels.

For some migraine patients, these fluctuations can trigger attacks.

By significantly reducing carbohydrate intake, ketogenic diets may help:

• stabilize blood sugar

• reduce insulin spikes

• maintain more consistent energy levels throughout the day
  
  

Some clinicians believe this stabilization alone may reduce migraine frequency in certain patients.

If you suspect food triggers may be contributing to your migraine attacks, you may also want to read Migraine Elimination Diet, which explains how to systematically identify potential dietary triggers.

Important Considerations Before Trying a Keto Diet

Although ketogenic diets show promise, they are not appropriate for everyone and should ideally be attempted under medical supervision.

Potential challenges include:

• electrolyte imbalance

• nutrient deficiencies

• digestive issues

• difficulty maintaining the diet long term
  
  

For this reason, many doctors recommend working with a dietitian or healthcare professional when trying therapeutic ketogenic diets.

Expert Insight: Ketogenic Diet and Migraine

During the Migraine World Summit, Nurse Practitioner Angel Moreno discussed how ketogenic diets may influence migraine through metabolic pathways.

Key points from his discussion include:

• ketone bodies may provide more efficient brain fuel

• ketogenic diets may reduce neuroinflammation

• lowering carbohydrate intake may help stabilize insulin response
  
  

However, he emphasized that ketogenic diets should be viewed as one possible tool among many, rather than a universal solution for migraine.

Learn Directly from Leading Migraine Specialists

Living with migraine can feel overwhelming, especially when treatments don’t work the way you hoped or when people around you don’t understand the condition.

If you are struggling with frequent migraine attacks, learning directly from experienced neurologists and headache specialists can provide valuable insight into what may help.

Each year, the Migraine World Summit features interviews with leading migraine neurologists, researchers, and patient advocates to discuss the latest developments in migraine science and treatment.

During the event, experts share practical information about:

• migraine prevention strategies

• treatment advances and medications

• lifestyle and trigger management

• emerging migraine research

• ways to improve quality of life with migraine
  
  

The summit streams free online for one week each year, allowing you to watch the interviews from home.

If you prefer to watch the sessions at your own pace, lifetime access is also available.

→ See the migraine experts speaking this year

Final Thoughts

So, can a keto diet help with migraines?

For some people, particularly those with metabolic triggers or insulin instability, a ketogenic diet may reduce migraine frequency or severity. For others, it may have little effect.

Migraine is a complex neurological disorder with many potential triggers, which means dietary changes work well for some individuals but not for others.

If you’re considering trying a ketogenic diet, speak with a healthcare professional to ensure it is safe and appropriate for your situation.

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<sub>Can a keto diet help with migraines references:
1. Di Lorenzo, C., Coppola, G., Sirianni, G., Di Lorenzo, G., Bracaglia, M., Di Lenola, D., Serrao, M., Pierelli, F., & Parisi, V. (2015). Migraine improvement during short-lasting ketogenesis: a proof-of-concept study. European Journal of Neurology.
2. Bengsch, D. (2016). Less carbs, more fat: ketogenic diet makes migraine patients' headaches disappear. Research summary available at ResearchGate.
3. Moreno, A., NP. (2019). Can a Ketogenic Diet Prevent Migraines? Interview presented during the Migraine World Summit.

This article summarizes research and expert commentary presented during the Migraine World Summit along with published studies on ketogenic diets and migraine.</sub>

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