Microbes and gut germs in mouths may be linked to migraines read more at here www.spinonews.com/index.php/item/1330-microbes-and-gut-germs-in-mouths-may-be-linked-to-migraines

A new research suggests people with migraines have higher levels of certain microbes, germs, in their mouths and digestive systems.

Specifically, the analysis of data from American Gut Project found that migraine sufferers had significantly higher amounts of nitrate-reducing microbes than those without migraines. The project included over 170 oral samples and almost 2,000 fecal samples.

Study lead author Antonio Gonzalez, professor and director of the Center for Microbiome Innovation at UC San Diego, said, there is this idea out there that certain foods trigger migraines chocolate, wine, and especially foods containing nitrates.  

He explained, there was a connection between what people are eating, their microbes and their experiences with migraines. Many of the 38 million migraine sufferers in the United States have noted a link between migraine and consuming nitrates.

Nitrates, found in foods such as processed meats and green leafy vegetables and certain medicines. When circulating in the blood, these nitrites can then be converted to nitric oxide under certain conditions.

Nitric oxide can aid cardiovascular health by improving blood flow and reducing blood pressure. However, roughly four in five cardiac patients who take nitrate-containing drugs for chest pain or congestive heart failure report severe headaches as a side effect.

The bacterial gene sequencing found that different abundances between people who get migraines and non-migraines.

The research team used a bioinformatic tool called PICRUSt to analyze which genes were likely to be present in the two different sets of samples, given the bacterial species present. 

In fecal samples, they found a slight, but statistically significant increase in the abundance of genes that encode nitrate, nitrite and nitric oxide-related enzymes in migraines. In oral samples, these genes were significantly more abundant in migraines.

The study authors said, further research is needed to learn more about the association between microbes and migraine. It's possible that the results of such research might lead to new migraine treatments.