When you look down the vitamin aisle in your local drugstore or browse page after page of supplements and herbal remedies online, you’ll see lots of products that make bold statements about improving hearing health. While many of these products may offer benefits, it’s important to remember that correlation doesn’t necessarily equate to causation.
That said, there is a connection between what you eat and how your ears function. And fortunately, the right foods can help you protect your hearing, reduce your risk of ear infections and combat age-related hearing loss.
The nutrient zinc is critical for the normal function of your inner ears. It helps your body fight off viruses and bacteria that can cause ear infections, as well as the ringing in your ears known as tinnitus. Zinc is also a powerful antioxidant and can help reduce oxidative stress in your ears.
Folic acid and Vitamin B12 are two vital nutrients needed for healthy blood cells, including the cells in your inner ear. Low levels of these vitamins have been linked to hearing loss, so adding more foods rich in folic acid and vitamin B12 to your diet can be helpful. Green vegetables, such as broccoli, kale and Swiss chard are loaded with folate, while beans and fortified cereals can provide vitamin B12.
Omega-3 fatty acids are important for ear health. In addition to protecting against noise-induced hearing loss, a diet high in these fats can improve low-tone hearing and prevent tinnitus. These fatty acids, which can be found in fish, flaxseed and walnuts, are also good for your brain.
Magnesium, another mineral crucial to ear health, is responsible for the proper functioning of your balance system and is able to send signals between the ears and the brain. Studies have shown that people with a higher intake of magnesium tend to have lower rates of hearing loss and tinnitus. You could try cortexi drops as its easy and helps hearing loss.
Vitamin C, a potent antioxidant, is an essential nutrient that helps your body fight off harmful free radicals that can cause damage to healthy cells in the inner and middle ear. Vitamin C has also been shown to be effective in reducing the risk of pesky ear infections.
Mason Natural Advanced Ear Health has a curated blend of vitamins and minerals that have been clinically shown to promote inner ear health and target tinnitus symptoms. If you’d like to learn more about hearing loss, tinnitus and our other services, contact us to schedule an appointment with one of our doctors today!