Sulfites are chemical compounds used to protect foods from such things as spoilage, browning reactions (like a cut apple), loss of flavor, and bacterial growth in wines. Studies have shown that migraine headaches can be caused by sulfites from foods. This can be a particular problem in children.
Other studies have shown that during migraine attacks, spinal fluid glutamate (a measure of brain glutamate levels) rose significantly and fell when the attack was over.
There is another interesting link between migraine headaches, brain toxicity in general, and glutamate in the brain. It has been shown that high sulfite levels in the blood and tissues inhibit an enzyme called glutamate dehydrogenase.
This enzyme plays a major role in keeping brain glutamate levels from getting too high. High brain glutamate triggers a brain-damaging reaction called excitotoxicity.
When this enzyme functions poorly, excitotoxicity can be triggered. This can lead not only to headaches, but also to an increased risk of developing such degenerative brain diseases as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and a host of others.
Inhibition of this critical enzyme by sulfites may also play a role in the worsening of asthma, as glutamate in the lungs can trigger severe asthma attacks.
Most processed foods also contain high levels of glutamate additives, so the combination of sulfites and glutamate additives magnify the toxic reaction.
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