Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Antibodies

Yeast Antibodies and Migraine

I was researching some of the odd antibody tests that Dr. Gnome ran to see if I had autoimmune pancreatitis. A couple of tests were for immune responses to saccharomyces cerevisiae (IgG and IgA) a type of yeast known as brewers or bakers yeast - a factor in some inflammatory bowel conditions. One of the references I found stated that

A study reported over 2 decades ago that 33% of a group of patients with migraine were hypersensitive to Yeast.
Grant ECG. Food allergies and migraine. Lancet 1979;1:966-968

I also found other references to some persons having adverse headache reactions to nutritional supplementation of brewers yeast. In addition to supplementation some B vitamins have brewers yeast as a component, and I have known a couple of migraineurs complain about reactions to vitamins. Could this be a possible link?

This yeast can also be found in fermented products such as wines, cheeses, and vinegars. These substances have widely documented correlations to migraine exacerbation. It is also an ingredient in many baked foods and cured or aged meat products like sausages.

The immune response is development of antibodies to this common food ingredient, not from the opportunistic overgrowth of the yeast in the body. The research article states there is debate whether elimination of yeasts from the diet assists in reducing the immune response.

I have measurable amounts of both types of antibodies in my blood but not exceptionally high - if I was not already taking a mild immunosuppressant would there have been higher levels? This is the first time in my life I have been tested for this so it probably has been there for quite a while. I wonder if it could have been a factor in my almost thirty years of migraines?

I guess I'm still searching for the unified field theory for my overall unwellness and major headaches. My mind goes down these paths which are probably just dead ends, but it does make for an interesting evening of intellectual investigation. Maybe I will try an elimination diet of foods that use Saccharomyces Cerevisiae and see how it works. Maybe it will help The Belly and The Headache at the same time. Could I be so lucky?? I'm not eating much at the present anyhoo so eliminating a few more condiments/foods won't make a lot of difference!