Tinnitus and Diet

 

Tinnitus and Diet

Dietary deficiencies which may cause tinnitus.

Vitamin A may be associated with inner ear dysfunction, for the cochlea has a high concentration of vitamin A, as well as the sensory receptor cells.

Some sources of vitamin A include fish liver oils, apricots, carrots, green leafy vegetables, spirulina, kale, sweet potatoes, and alfalfa.

Vitamin A over dosage can occur easily, for it is an oil based vitamin, and is stored in the body. Chronic effects of vitamin A over dosage can produce bone abnormalities, osteoporosis, loss of hair, jaundice, anorexia, amenorrhea, and irritability. Short term high dosage can produce nerve lesions, headache, fatigue, insomnia, painful bones and peeling skin. Far easier and safer to obtain Vitamin A from the diet, in order to avoid any possibility of toxicity.

Tinnitus and Diet

Vitamin D deficiency may be associated with the cause of otosclerosis.

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" Experimental and observational study: Abnormally low levels of vitamin D were found in 10/47 patients with otosclerosis" " Calcium and vitamin D replacement therapy resulted in significant hearing improvement in 3 out of 16 patients'.Reference Otolaryngeal Head Neck Surg. 93 (3) 313-27, 1985

Experimental study: 10 patients with bilateral cochlear deafness and vitamin D deficiency were supplemented with calcium and vitamin D 500-1000 IU daily resulting in unilateral hearing improvement in 2/4 patients Reference: A New Cause of Cochlear Deafness J.Laryngol. Oto.97 (5); 405-20, 1983.

While the results of the above experiments appear promising, it is far better to follow a healthy diet loaded with fresh organic fruits ,vegetables, nuts and grains, instead of using supplements. It is so easy to cause a further dysfunction in body systems, by overdosing with supplements. Calcium pairs with magnesium, and since there's no reference to magnesium in the above study, perhaps further down the track, a magnesium deficiency may occur. As for vitamin D, the very best source is sun exposure , in well measured amounts. When the sun is not available, then krill oil is the best source. Calcium is present in dairy products, almonds, sardines, fish bones, egg yolk, green vegeatbles, blackstrap molasses, cabbage, kale, watercress, turnip greens, to name but a small number of sources.

Fluoride has been found to inhibit the enzyme phosphatase in experimental animals which is critically important in the assimilation of calcium and other minerals (Yanick, Paul. Solving problematic tinnitus. A clinical scientific approach. Townsend Letter for Doctors February-March, 1985 p.31)

Experimental study: 94 patients with cochlear otosclerosis and 98 patients with stapedial otosclerosis and sensorineural hearing loss received treatment with sodium fluoride. The drug halted or slowed the progression of sensorineural hearing impairment in 63% of patients with cochlear otosclerosis, and 40% of the patients with stapedial otosclerosis. Patients with more rapid rates of progression responded most favorably. (Forquer BD et al. Sodium fluroide: Effectiveness of treatment for cochlear otosclerosis Am.J.Otol. 7 (2): 121-25, 1986.

One of the homeopathic remedies listed in the repertory for otosclerosis, is Calcium Fluoride. Far better to take Fluoride in an homeopathic dilution, for a better outcome overall, for while the medicine given in crude form, as in the above experiment, may produce side effects.

Tinnitus and Diet

Magnesium

Deficiency may cause ototoxicity.

Magnesium sources include  dairy products, fish, meat, seafood, allples, apricots, bananas, blackstrap molasses, brown rice, green leafy vegetables, almonds, wholegrain cereals,sesame seeds, and many other foods.

" It is postulated that aminoglycoside drugs cause ototoxicity by depleting magnesium in the hair cells of the cochlea. ( Doley E ey al. Is magnesium depletion the reason for ototoxicity caused by aminoglycosides Med Hypotheses 10 (4):353-58, 1983)

 

Potassium and sodium

"Electrolyte imbalances may affect the inner ear, since endolymph is higher in potassium and perilymph is higher in sodium. ( Yanick P. Holistic applications in ear disorders. J Int Acad.Prev. Med. 1983, pp 24-27)

Potassium is found in vegetables, citrus fruit, apricots, bananas, popato, almonds, sardines avocado, milk and sunflower seeds. Sodium is not hard to find, eating fast foods, and processed foods, provides an overdose of sodium for all consumers. Other healthy sources of sodium include, celery, clams, cheese, sardines, and tuna.

Zinc Sulfate

Experimental study of elderly patients who were found to have zinc deficiencies and progressive hearing loss, were found to show a slight improvement after zinc supplementation. 25% of those who had tinnitus, noted reduction in their tinnitus, while in some the tinnitus was eliminated. 20 patients with sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, or both improved after zinc supplementation. (Shambough GE-interviewed in Geriatics 38(4):21, 1983). The elderly patients were all given 600mg of  Zine Sulfate daily, for over a year.

The RDA  is 15mg., and the therapeutic dose is 10-100mg. It would have been interesting to see a follow up study of these elderly patients. The effects of over dosage and toxicity can occur at the above levels of 600mgs a day. The acute symptoms include lassitude, slow tendon reflexes, diarrhea, leucopenia, CNS depression, tremors, paralysis of extremities, nausea and vomiting.

The chronic effects of over dosage of zinc include poor growth, anorexia, deficiencies of copper and iron, anemia, and a depressed immune system. While the seniors in this experiment may have had an improvement in their hearing impairment and tinnitus, but at what cost?  The best way to add zinc to the diet, is to eat a well balanced diet, while making sure that you eat foods rich in zinc.

Food sources of zinc are: brewer's yeast, egg yolks, fish, kelp, legumes, lima beans, oysters, poultry, sunflower seeds, meat, sardines, whole grains and soy lecithin. While whole grains are a source of zinc, zinc absorption can be diminished, if the grain is not soaked before cooking. The soaking removes the phytic acid, which interferes with zinc absorption..

 

Vitamin B12 deficiency has been found to contribute to tinnitus. Those following a strict vegan diet are likely to suffer a B12 deficiency, if they are not careful about supplementing their diet with B12. Also elderly people who may suffer from malabsorption ,are likely subjects for B12 deficiency. Vitamin B12 helps prevent nerve damage, and helps maintain the mylein  nerve sheath, which aids nerve transmission.

Sources of B12 are brewer's yeast, eggs, offal, mackerel, dulse, kelp, kombu, and  dairy products.

 

Vitamin E deficiency has been implicated in tinnitus. It improves circulation, aids in tissue repair, promotes normal blood clotting and healing, and maintains healthy nerves ,muscles and strengthens capillary walls.

Vitamin E sources: Almonds, egg yolk, green leafy vegetables, legumes, seeds, whole grains,  and kelp, are only some of the vitamin E food sources.

Choline is needed for the proper transmission of nerve impulses, a deficiency of choline can cause a build up of fat in the liver, with increased blood pressure, which can cause  tinnitus.

Foods which contain choline are: egg yolk, lecithin, legumes, meat, milk, whole grains,yeast, and liver.

Omega 3 Fatty acids are essential for efficient nerve transmission, aid in reducing blood pressure, lower cholesterol, and triglyceride levels. Because bilateral tinnitus often occurs in those who have high blood pressure, by adding essential fatty acids to the diet, the occurrence of tinnitus would be diminished, or eliminated.

Omega fatty acids are found in flax seed, evening primrose oil, seaweed, walnut oil, krill oil, sesame seed oil, and borage oil.

By following a well balanced diet and including a wide variety of fresh organic produce, and avoiding the foods which either directly cause, or contribute to the occurrence of tinnitus, healthy hearing can be restored. This is what Thomas Coleman advocates in his book Tinnitus Miracle, correct your diet, and your lifestyle, and so cure your tinnitus.

 

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vitamin deficiency causing tinnitus
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