In the fight to keep your body healthy and functioning properly, vitamins and minerals play an important role. Calcium builds strong bones and zinc is an important mineral for boosting the immune system. Some minerals, like the ones listed below, are also critical elements in protecting our hearing health.
1. Potassium:
Potassium regulates the fluid in your inner ear which is important because as we age these levels tend to drop which can contribute to hearing loss or presbycusis.
Foods rich in potassium: potatoes, spinach, lima beans, tomatoes, raisins, apricots, bananas, melons, oranges, yogurt and low-fat milk.
2. Folic Acid:
Folic acid helps your body generate new cell growth and helps increase circulation in the body, contributing to the overall health of the hair cells in your inner ear.
Foods rich in folic acid: fortified breakfast cereal, liver, spinach, broccoli and asparagus.
3. Magnesium:
Research shows that peoples treated with magnesium in conjunction with Vitamins A, C, and E were protected when exposed to high levels of noise. It’s believed that the magnesium acted as a protective barrier to hair cells in the inner ear when loud noises were emitted. And lack of magnesium has been shown to shrink blood vessels in the inner ear, causing oxygen deprivation. So make sure you are getting enough of this superhero mineral.
Foods rich in magnesium: bananas, artichokes, potatoes, spinach and broccoli.
4. Zinc:
Known to increase cell growth and heal wounds, Zinc boosts the body’s immune system and helps ward against infections that can affect the ear. However check with your physician before consuming this mineral, as it may interact with antibiotics and diuretics.
Foods rich in zinc: beef, pork and dark-meat chicken, cashews, almonds, peanuts, beans, split peas, lentils, oysters – and dark chocolate!
5. Omega 3 Fats & Vitamin D:
We’ve all heard about the anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties of Omega 3s, but did you know it’s been show to prevent hearing loss? A recent study found that servings of this mineral can reduce the risk of age related hearing loss by over 40 per cent. Omega 3s can also help brain function, sending signals between your brain and ears more effectively.
Foods rich in Omega 3s- flaxseed oil, krill oil, salmon, soybean oil, sardines.
If you eat a healthy, balance diet, your body should produce enough of these essential minerals to keep it functioning normally, but always check with your physician before consuming these in the form of supplements.
Eat well, and hear well!
