If you are concerned with your hearing health, it’s good to know that your lifestyle can have a huge influence on your future ability. We know, for instance, that smoking and heavy drinking are both tied to hearing loss, so cessation programs will not only benefit your cardiovascular and lung health but also your hearing. Similarly, you can integrate hearing protection into situations that you might have neglected in the past, including concerts or sporting events.
One of the lifestyle factors that seems to influence all parts of life is your nutrition. The adage, “You are what you eat,” turns out to be more relevant than we realized. Your diet influences your internal health as well as your appearance, and eating the right foods in the right quantities can give you energy and longevity. Did you know that your nutrition can protect your hearing, as well? Let’s take a look at some of the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that have been tied to hearing health, including what foods you can incorporate into your diet to make sure you are getting what you need for hearing health.
Vitamin C
Well-known for protecting against the common cold, Vitamin C has even begun to appear in beauty products as a topical remedy. A recent study with animals showed that it can prevent noise-induced hearing loss. Though we don’t have clinical trials with humans, it is not a bad idea to integrate Vitamin C into your diet through citrus fruits, strawberries, bell peppers, broccoli, brussels sprouts, and dark leafy greens. Vitamin C supplements come in many doses, some of which offer more than our bodies can process. However, it’s difficult to “overdose” on Vitamin C, so you can feel safe getting what you need in the recommended daily allowance.
Folate
Otherwise known as Vitamin B-9, folate has been connected with hearing health, as well. A study of elderly women found that those who had a hearing loss also had 43 percent lower levels of folate in their system, and at least two other findings have backed up this result. If you recall your statistics class, you know that these low folate levels detected after hearing loss has already occurred don’t necessarily mean that they caused hearing loss in the first place! However, folate is connected to many other health conditions, so it’s wise to get what you need from spinach, asparagus, beans, broccoli, eggs, and nuts. Once again you see some green foods on the list!
Vitamin A and Carotenoids
The things that make foods such as carrots orange can help your hearing health, as well. These carotenoids are a precursor to Vitamin A, and they have been linked to hearing health in a number of studies. Those who had the highest intake also had the lowest risk of hearing loss, according to one study, as much as 47 percent. Vitamin A is best known to come from carrots, but it can also come from sweet potato, kale, spinach, broccoli, and eggs. Some foods are repeat offenders here, and you might guess that broccoli, spinach, and other leafy greens are wise choices for regular consumption.
Minerals
In addition to these vitamins, some minerals have been connected with hearing health. Potassium, magnesium, and zinc are well-known fighters against infection, but they also have been linked to protecting your hearing in several studies. Potassium can be found in spinach, lima beans, tomatoes, raisins, apricots, bananas, melons, and oranges. Magnesium comes from bananas, artichokes, spinach, tomatoes and broccoli. Zinc can be found in nuts, beans, split peas, lentils, and oysters. Why not incorporate these foods into your diet, making sure that trace mineral elements are naturally incorporated.
If you find it difficult to conceive of bringing all these foods into your diet, you can get much of what you need from a daily multivitamin. If you check the label on that multivitamin, however, some of the percentages of the daily recommended value are very low. You can bump up your consumption of foods, like broccoli, that are so nutrient-rich they almost work like a multivitamin on their own. Supplements are also available that are particularly targeted toward your hearing health, a sure way to get what you need.
Nutrients can support your hearing – but the best thing you can do for your hearing health is to schedule an annual hearing test! If you are ready to experience optimal hearing health, we’re here to help. Contact us today to schedule an appointment for a hearing test and consultation.
