Supplements don’t replace primary treatments, but they can boost the benefits of a healthy diet. For instance, magnesium improves low-tone hearing in people with tinnitus, and vitamin E is an effective adversary to oxidative stress in the ears.
Leafy green vegetables, fish, eggs, nuts and seeds provide vitamins that support ear health. Folate (vitamin B9) helps build red blood cells, and zinc enhances hearing.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is a vital nutrient that helps to support normal vision, hearing and immune function. It is found in a variety of foods, including sweet potatoes, spinach and liver. Vitamin A deficiency is associated with ear discharge and impaired hearing.
During the original trial, weekly prevalence of purulent ear discharge was not different between the two groups; however, by adolescence and early adulthood, a 17% reduction in hearing loss was observed in those who received periodic high dose vitamin A supplementation compared with those who did not receive the supplements as preschool aged children (odds ratio 0.83, 95% confidence interval 0.57 to 1.21). This protective effect is attributed to the modulation of host defence mechanisms against ototoxicity by vitamin A which reduces middle ear infection severity. In addition, folate and its synthetic form, folic acid, may decrease the risk of hearing loss by slowing the rate at which free radicals destroy inner-ear cells. (K P West Jr et al, unpublished data, 2011).)
Vitamin C
Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, works to increase blood circulation throughout the body, including the inner ear. It is believed to be effective in preventing age-related hearing loss and may even aid in the recovery of noise-induced hearing loss.
Folic acid (vitamin B9) is also essential to the health of your ear. Research shows that low folic acid levels are linked to an increased risk of hearing loss and may be one of the causes behind the development of tinnitus. Foods rich in folate include leafy greens, oranges, and eggs.
Vitamin E is another supplement with a proven track record when it comes to ear health. It is known to be an oxidative stress adversary, neutralizing free radicals throughout the body, including the inner and middle ears. Several studies have shown that patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss find relief when they take vitamin E supplements.
Magnesium
Magnesium helps keep the muscles relaxed, including those in the ears. This mineral has also been shown to reduce the severity of tinnitus, a condition in which people hear sounds such as ringing in the ears, buzzing or hissing that have no external cause. Why not buy cortexi and give it a try? It was proven to decrease tinnitus.
Studies suggest low magnesium levels are associated with higher anxiety, as the mineral is needed for a healthy hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. A recent study found that increasing magnesium intake may help to decrease the risk of heart attacks in people with type 2 diabetes.
You can increase your magnesium intake by eating more foods such as spinach, peanut butter, chia seeds and avocados, or by taking supplements that contain the mineral. However, you should always check with your physician before taking any supplements to ensure they are safe for you. Doing so will help you find the right balance of nutrients for ear health and overall wellbeing. This will also allow you to avoid any unwanted side effects that might be caused by taking too much of certain vitamins or minerals.
Folic Acid
Folate (and its synthetic form, folic acid) fights the free radicals that can reduce blood flow to our inner ears and cause hearing loss. Folic acid also assists in creating new cell growth and raises circulation to improve your overall ear health. Folic acid is required for pregnancy and breastfeeding, and many baby-specific products have been fortified with it, but you can find it in a wide variety of foods as well, including liver, spinach and eggs.
If you take folic acid supplements, be sure to discuss it with your doctor first. High doses of the vitamin can mask a B12 deficiency, which is common in older adults and those who eat a vegan diet, and they can also interfere with how our bodies metabolize homocysteine, an amino acid associated with heart disease. It is best to eat a wide variety of foods rich in all of the B vitamins, including vitamin C and vitamin D.