I came across a scary social media advertisement lately that looked like this...
Scary because as a mother of small children...we do eat hot dogs in our house. That being said as a result of my migraine influenced diet, I purchase organic hotdogs without nitrates or nitrites. Nitrates and nitrites are a published migraine trigger. But the statement made in the picture definitely made me think about and research the facts surrounding hotdogs and childhood leukemia. This picture above was based on the following research conducted at University of California Medical School: Processed Meats and the Risk of Childhood Leukemia. There has been other research that has conflicting results: Food Consumption by Children and the Risk of Childhood Acute Leukemia. The one thing the health community does agree on is that processed meats, including bacon, deli meats, and hot dogs are linked to increased colorectal cancer. They aren't sure what exactly the main culprit is, but experts recommend steering clear of the preservatives sodium nitrite and sodium nitrate.
As Americans we live in a culture where packaged foods is more common than not. The food industry is always looking for ways to increase shelf life and reduce cost. The additives that accomplish these goals affect some of us differently than others. Sodium nitrate and nitrite are added to meats to preserve the color and decrease bacterial growth. Sodium nitrite is used in the curing process to slow the development of botulism, add flavor, keep the meat pink, and increase shelf life. Sodium nitrate is converted to sodium nitrite in our bodies and fights botulism. Both nitrate and nitrite create nitrosamines when combined with protein rich foods which leads to cell damage in our bodies.
What does all this have to do with migraines? I realize cancer and migraines are too very different things but apparently the culprit in both cases are believed to have something to do with nitrates and nitrites--not necessarily hot dogs. When we consume these preservatives nitrite becomes nitric oxide. Nitric oxide binds hemoglobin (iron-containing oxygen-carrying protein in our blood). Once bound to our hemoglobin it decreases the amount of oxygen that hemoglobin can carry. Nitric oxide is also a vasodilator. It causes blood vessels to enlarge and dilate. When this dilation occurs in the blood vessels in our heads it can trigger a migraine. There is also a theory that the nitric oxide stimulates the release of calcitonin, a hormone that affects the nerves in brain vessels.
As Americans we live in a culture where packaged foods is more common than not. The food industry is always looking for ways to increase shelf life and reduce cost. The additives that accomplish these goals affect some of us differently than others. Sodium nitrate and nitrite are added to meats to preserve the color and decrease bacterial growth. Sodium nitrite is used in the curing process to slow the development of botulism, add flavor, keep the meat pink, and increase shelf life. Sodium nitrate is converted to sodium nitrite in our bodies and fights botulism. Both nitrate and nitrite create nitrosamines when combined with protein rich foods which leads to cell damage in our bodies.
What does all this have to do with migraines? I realize cancer and migraines are too very different things but apparently the culprit in both cases are believed to have something to do with nitrates and nitrites--not necessarily hot dogs. When we consume these preservatives nitrite becomes nitric oxide. Nitric oxide binds hemoglobin (iron-containing oxygen-carrying protein in our blood). Once bound to our hemoglobin it decreases the amount of oxygen that hemoglobin can carry. Nitric oxide is also a vasodilator. It causes blood vessels to enlarge and dilate. When this dilation occurs in the blood vessels in our heads it can trigger a migraine. There is also a theory that the nitric oxide stimulates the release of calcitonin, a hormone that affects the nerves in brain vessels.
The good news is that you can get your meat without nitrates and nitrites...you just have to read labels. Personally, I don't want a migraine or cell damage that may lead to cancer. Therefore, I buy meat without these preservatives:)