Do Corn and Wheat Cause Headaches?

SHEFFIELD, England--Physicians are saying that some headaches may be caused by the wheat and corn products in a person's diet. In the Feb. 13 Neurology (56: 385-8, 2001), doctors from the Royal Hallamshire Hospital reported that 10 patients with gluten sensitivity had abnormal MRI's and experienced episodic headaches. When gluten, a plant protein found in corn and wheat, was eliminated from patients' diets, nine reported decreased symptoms.

However, these findings are not supported by previous research. In fact, a study appearing in last year's Pediatric Neurology (22 (5):393-6, May 2000) found no relationship between headaches and celiac disease (the body's inability to digest gluten) in 167 children aged one to 16.

The news that gluten may trigger headaches is also news to the wheat industry. According to the Wheat Foods Council, this is the first time it has heard of this reaction to gluten. "I've never heard anything like this," said Judi Adams, president of the council and part of the grain industry for the last 18 years, adding that "It's only one study and only 10 people."

For more information, visit www.wheatfoods.org or www.neurology.org for a copy of the abstract.