Can to much protein cause a headache?

nic_ci
nic_ci Posts: 110 Member
edited October 15 in Health and Weight Loss
I increased my protein today...now I have a headache that won't go away. Is there a correlation?

Replies

  • McKristy
    McKristy Posts: 53
    I'm far from a doctor, but that's not anything I've heard of before. If you were limiting it, or ridding of carbs sure, this I haven't heard of.
  • itsuki
    itsuki Posts: 520 Member
    I think dehyation can cause headaches, are you drinking enough water?
  • techigirl78
    techigirl78 Posts: 128 Member
    I don't know much about it either. I have had days hitting 110-140g without issue. How much did you go over?
  • almonds1
    almonds1 Posts: 642 Member
    too much beer can...This i know!! As for protein, never had an issue here
  • nic_ci
    nic_ci Posts: 110 Member
    I'm not limiting carbs.
  • saragato
    saragato Posts: 1,154
    Have you tried ruling out every other possible reason for the headache, for example over-exertion or stress?
  • sabinecbauer
    sabinecbauer Posts: 250 Member
    Could it be that you've drastically reduced your carb intake while upping your protein? Carb withdrawal will cause headaches for some people, but after four to five days it'll clear up.
  • hellraisedfire
    hellraisedfire Posts: 403 Member
    I've never heard of this before and I'm a frequent migraine go-er...
  • jenkinsjerry
    jenkinsjerry Posts: 99 Member
    I wouldn't say that "too" much protein causes a headache, but what it usually is for me is 'lack of calorie' or a, 'lack of caffeine' headache. Cutting back on calories can bring on what's otherwise known as 'starvation mode', which is where the body says, "uh oh", I'm not eating as much as I used to and goes into strict storage mode -- e.g. taking in what you do eat and stores as fat. If prolonged, this can bring on constipation, lethargy, etc. The headache can be a tell-tale sign this is happening.

    The key is exercise calories and exercising enough to where you don't have to "starve yourself" to meet your daily calorie allowance. If and when you can't exercise, it's wise to even go over on calories, vs. going into starvation mode with all of its negative side effects.
  • lizard053
    lizard053 Posts: 2,344 Member
    Try drinking more water. I have noticed on days I get more protein I also am extra thirsty. For some reason all that protein dries me out! In fact, I'm thirsty now... :bigsmile:
  • TamsinEllis
    TamsinEllis Posts: 293
    I doubt eating more protein today then you are used to has caused your headache, however if it persists go see your doctor because you might (and i say might it's very rare) have ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency.

    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/dietandfitness/9013566/The-man-who-nearly-died-on-the-Dukan-diet.html

    Don't worry about it though, I highly doubt protein gave you a headache, just take some aspirin and don't stare at the computer screen.
  • sloaneashley
    sloaneashley Posts: 2
    I know it can cause Kidney Stones, so be careful, That was a worse pain than childbirth for me , as for headaches have you cut caffene or sugar alot suddenly , if so that will do it:(
  • Lib_B
    Lib_B Posts: 446 Member
    i get headaches when i go too long without eating or if i've had a really low protein day. not sure about too much. anything else change today? caffeine? etc?
  • UpEarly
    UpEarly Posts: 2,555 Member
    It definitely does for me. Google it, and you'll see it has that effect on lots of people!
  • nic_ci
    nic_ci Posts: 110 Member
    Answers to a few questions:
    I am not starving myself...I have drank 10 cups ( 5 bottles) of water so far today...that's about where I normally am this time of day...I have not over exerted myself...my headache won't go away so I can exercise...I said it earlier...but I am not limiting mg carbs...and no I haven't had any beer!
  • xSophia19
    xSophia19 Posts: 1,536 Member
    I have never heard of this before! I always get headaches and its defo not from too much protein :laugh: (i hardly have proteins) I think its more to do with fluids.. Less water = headachesssss, more water = no headache :smile:
  • RumOne
    RumOne Posts: 266 Member
    have you lowered your caffine intake? Hard cheeses can cause migrains in some. There are lots of triggers, maybe try and change the protein you are eating, not necessarily the amount you are eating. And like others have said, make sure you drink plenty of water
  • bdebruine
    bdebruine Posts: 1
    Too much protien (as a ratio to fat and carbs) can cause headaches. Research "rabbit starvation" and Ketogenic diets for more information on how to balance protein with fat.
  • neandermagnon
    neandermagnon Posts: 7,436 Member
    I think dehyation can cause headaches, are you drinking enough water?

    ^^^^ this
  • AliceDark
    AliceDark Posts: 3,886 Member
    It's probably not related, unless you notice the same thing happening consistently. How much did you increase your protein, and from what sources? Just from personal experience, sometimes soy products give me wicked headaches.
  • MinnieInMaine
    MinnieInMaine Posts: 6,400 Member
    Just putting this out there... While you may not be purposely limiting your carbs, if you're using the same daily calorie goal but eating more protein than usual, there has to be a shift in the macro balance so either you're eating less carbs or less fats in order to get more protein in. So just maybe today you've eaten less carbs than usual and your body is responding to the decrease.

    It might help if we could see your diary to browse back through a few days and see if we can spot the differences...

    ETA: one more thought - seasonal allergies or weather changes? I know I had a wicked sinus headache the other day and wasn't completely sure if it was the trees budding or the high air pressure system rolling through our area - or even a combo of the two.
  • LovelyMarie774
    LovelyMarie774 Posts: 49 Member
    So I looked this up on google just now, because I sometimes experience the same thing, and this thread came up. Even though it's old I'll chime in here.

    I can't handle a lot of protein in a meal without a good balance of carbs, or I start getting a persistent headache that can last into the next day, which stinks. I drink a ton of water, so I know it isn't caused by dehydration. Honestly I think it's based on what I'm used to. One protein heavy meal isn't going to kick me into ketosis, so I think it's just my body getting "mad" at me for not feeding it what it usually eats. I was raised in a family that went meatless most nights, and would have salmon and potatoes with a a salad on meat nights. If I were to try eating a steak by itself... yep, giant headache.

    I tried once subsisting on a 50 grams or less of carbs a day to "dry out" a bit for an event, and I felt like death since I kicked my protein up so high with barely any carbs. Ketosis is not fun, and is a very different sensation from my "protein headache" I get from eating a heavy protein meal w/o enough carbs. Maybe just dole out your carb allowances to better match when you are eating a protein heavy meal?

    (I'm not a doctor, and please remember this is all anecdotal.)
  • Liftng4Lis
    Liftng4Lis Posts: 15,151 Member
    edited November 2014
    VERY old thread-headaches probably gone.
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