Healthy eating to ensure healthy hearing

Details

Published on 23 October 2015

The Daily Sentinel recently published an article on the benefits of eating foods rich in certain nutrients to help boost hearing or even prevent or delay hearing loss.

According to the article, omega-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties that help strengthen the blood vessels in the inner ear, thereby helping to protect against hearing loss. They are found in abundance in fish such as salmon, tuna and sardines. Research has in fact shown that people who eat two or more portions of fish per week are 42% less likely to develop presbycusis compared with those who do not eat fish on a regular basis.

Dr. Joe McDermott, AuD, referring audiologist for the article, points to another group of agents as beneficial for protecting against hearing loss: antioxidants, particularly folic acid. Reducing free radicals by consuming leafy greens such as spinach and romaine lettuce, etc. is thought to prevent damage to the inner ear. People over the age of 50 years with folate deficiency have been reported to have a 35% higher risk of hearing loss.

McDermott cites a number of other substances that should be included in the diet in sufficient amounts to contribute to hearing health and overall health. These include vitamin B12 involved in promoting erythropoiesis and improving blood flow in the ears, vitamins C, D, and E for their roles in immunity, circulation, and bone health, and zinc, thought to be useful to protect against age-related hearing loss. Lastly, magnesium has been presented as a beneficial nutrient to prevent noise-induced hearing impairments.

Source: The Daily Sentinel