Foster's goal is to help readers
take back their quality of life by
understanding their disease and
making appropriate lifestyle
changes. She begins by explaining
the role of serotonin in causing
headaches. Foster believes that
migraines are a symptom of abnor-
mal serotonin function, and is also
convinced that most headaches are
migraines. By reestablishing a bal-
anced serotonin system (or staying
out of serotonin debt, to use her
credit card analogy), headaches can
be better managed.
In laymen's terms and a direct, no-
nonsense style, Foster explains why
migraine is different for women and
men, and how the disruption of reg-
ular schedules, travel, altitude and
stress affect headaches. Making
healthy changes in these areas, she
writes, "can secure the biological
foundation of your serotonin system
and build your `brain fitness.""'
In order to keep the
serotonin system in the
best possible shape, she
lays out a comprehensive
program, which includes
a daily exercise routine,
regular rest and relax-
ation, a heavy empha-
sis on a special diet
regimen, and even a talk about
the role of spiritual health.
The keystone to Foster's high-
protein, moderate-carbohydrate
diet is avoiding the food additives
glutamate (including those natu-
rally found in soy), aspartame®, and
nitrates. That translates into a
lengthy list of no-no's To make
the program easier, she gives
detailed advice on showing, menu planning, and eating away from
home. She also provides 45 pages
of headache-friendly recipes, from
chicken fajitas to strawberry
shortcake. The highly restrictive
diet will not be for everyone
(vegetarians who rely on soy as a
protein supplement will find it
especially difficult), but Foster
swears by the results, especially
for those with chronic headache
problems. She has even had
results with cluster headache
sufferers, who generally do not
respond to diet changes.