Can Omega-3 Improve Age-Related Hearing Loss?
Learn how you can prevent age-related hearing loss with omega-3
Is loss of hearing a normal part of aging or is it really an omega-3 deficiency? Researchers now have reason to believe that increasing omega-3 or taking omega-3 supplements can give relief for hearing problems.
According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), thirty-six million Americans suffer from hearing loss and 30% of senior citizens over the age of 65 have some sort of hearing impairment. If researchers are right, this could spell big relief for millions of people.
The Research is In
Researcher Paul Mitchell reported the results from his study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition after studying hearing loss in people older than 50 years of age. Researchers working with Mitchell state, 'Dietary intervention with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids could prevent or delay the development of age-related hearing loss.'
What does this mean? It means the researchers noted participants in the study had a 42% reduction of hearing loss risk. These participants had an average of two servings of fish per week. Participants who didn't show any improvement averaged less than one serving of fish.
How Can Omega-3 Reduce Age-Related Hearing Loss?
Some hearing loss is due to physical reasons but many times faulty signaling in the brain causes hearing loss. In other words, your brain isn't processing the information correctly. Your hearing hasn't gotten worse, it's your brain's ability to filter and process information that makes it difficult for you to hear. Omega-3 improves brain function and as a result improves your hearing. (1)
If you're interested in improving your hearing and preventing any further damage, first talk to your doctor about this study. After getting approval from your physician, increase your omega-3 intake by eating salmon, herring, or tuna two times per week. If you prefer not eating fish, take a krill oil supplement to get the amount of essential fatty acids you need.
(1) Yehyda S, Rabinovitz S, Mostofsky DI. Essential fatty acids are mediators of brain biochemistry and cognitive functions. J Neurosci Res 1999; 56: 565-70.
