Hearing health and diet
Vitamins and minerals are crucial in the fight to maintain your body healthy and operating properly. Zinc is an important nutrient for improving the immune system, and calcium helps to create strong bones. Some minerals, such as those listed below, are essential for maintaining the health of our
hearing.
- Potassium: Potassium regulates the fluid in your inner ear, which is vital because as we get older, these levels tend to decline and can cause hearing loss or presbycusis. Potatoes, spinach, lima beans, tomatoes, raisins, apricots, bananas, melons, oranges, yogurt, and low- fat milk are examples of foods high in potassium.
- Folic acid: Folic acid promotes the production of new cells in the body and improves circulation, which improves the health of the hair cells in your inner ear. Fortified breakfast cereal, liver, spinach, broccoli, and asparagus are among the foods high in folic acid.
- Magnesium: Studies have shown that those who received magnesium along with the vitamins A, C, and E were protected from hearing damage when exposed to loud noises. Magnesium is thought to have served as a barrier that shielded the hair cells in the inner ear from loud noises. Furthermore, a deficiency of magnesium has been found to cause the inner ear and blood arteries to constrict, depriving the tissue of oxygen. Bananas, artichokes,
potatoes, spinach, and broccoli are foods high in magnesium. - Zinc: Known to speed up wound healing and promote cell growth, zinc also strengthens the immune system and protects against ear infections. However, before ingesting this mineral, consult your doctor because it could interact with medicines and diuretics. Dark chocolate, cashews, almonds, peanuts, beans, split peas, lentils, beef, pork, and chicken with dark meat are all foods high in zinc.
5. Omega-3 Fats and Vitamin D: We’ve all heard about how Omega-3s fight inflammation and ageing, but did you know they’ve also been shown to prevent hearing loss? Servings of this mineral can lower the risk of age-related hearing loss by more than 40%, according to a recent study. Omega 3 fatty acids can improve the efficiency with which your brain and hearing communicate. Flaxseed oil, krill oil, salmon, soybean oil, and sardines are foods high in omega-3 fatty acids.
Your body should be able to manufacture enough of these necessary minerals if you consume a healthy, balanced diet, but always see your doctor before taking these as supplements.
Eat well and hear well!