Staying healthy starts with the food you put it your body. Getting the right amount of nutrients can help stave off infection and give you the energy to make it through the day. What you may not have known is that many of these nutrients can benefit your ears. Ear health in Mesa can be addressed with some simple food selection at the grocery store. Adding healthy foods to your diet can hinder hearing loss caused by aging and may even reverse some of the effects of hearing loss. To help keep your ears healthy, Dr. Cassandra Fynes may recommend a diet rich in beneficial minerals and vitamins.
Resveratrol
The antioxidant found in red wine and responsible for heart health may also help restore hearing. A study found that resveratrol reduced a protein in the ear that is known to cause inflammation. This protein may contribute to hearing loss because the inflammation prevents the ability to hear. By consuming red wine or grapes, the inflammation and free radicals found within the body are effectively reduced.
Zinc
Zinc is a mineral that is great for the immune system but it may also reduce tinnitus, a ringing or buzzing in the ears. A study found that 82 percent of patients experienced a reduction in tinnitus symptoms after taking 50mg each day for a two-month period. Zinc also allows individuals to heal more quickly after sudden hearing loss. Individuals with higher levels of zinc in their blood often experience better hearing quality. Zinc can be found in eggs, dark chocolate, shellfish, nuts, and pumpkin seeds.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
The Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish like wild salmon and is great for heart disease prevention. The incredible healthy fat not only reduces inflammation but has been found to reduce the risk of age-related hearing loss by over 40 percent. A study of nearly 3,000 individuals over 50 years of age ate just two servings of Omega-3 rich fish per week to see results. Additionally, the good fat helps the brain communicate with the body, allowing the brain to clearly receive the message the ears are sending.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A isn’t just good for your immune system, reproductive health, and vision. A study found that adding vitamin A to a diet was able to reduce the risk for moderate to severe hearing loss in older individuals by an incredible 50 percent. The protective benefits were seen to have long-term effects of up to five years. Vitamin A can be found in carrots, sweet potatoes, and beef liver.
Folic Acid
Folic acid is beneficial for the circulatory system because it reduces inflammation but it can also help your hearing. Proper circulation insures the tiny hair cells in your inner ear are functioning properly. Folic acid is not stored in the body so it’s important to get your daily dose through leafy greens, lentils, avocadoes, nuts, and many other foods.
Potassium
Potassium is important for nerve function, which includes the auditory nerve that is responsible for relaying information between the ear and the brain. Potassium also regulates fluid and mineral balance to make sure your body is soaking up the right amount of nutrients to keep your ears healthy.
A healthy diet will not only maintain your ear health, but will also improve your health overall. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Cassandra Fynes to evaluate the health of your ears, contact Fynes Audiology today at (480) 456-0176.