Have you ever noticed how the buzzing, ringing, hissing, and cracking in your ear seem to be worse on some days and then not as bad on another day? Just take a moment now to think about what you just ate. Did you have a burger and fries or a few cups of strong coffee? My tinnitus used to be worse after a Chinese take away! As you know, there’s a lot of salt in one of those. Having a good diet is essential for managing the volume and frequency of the tinnitus noises you hear. As you read this article, you’re going to discover the 5 do’s and don’ts of the tinnitus diet.
DO…give your body premium fuel. Your body needs it to function properly. Eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, fish, whole grains, beans, nuts, olive oil, cheese, yogurt, and eggs. Go organic if you can! These foods will be rich in vitamins and minerals and will boost your immune system.
DO NOT…eat junk foods. They are filled with empty calories and are also very high in salt. Salt makes tinnitus symptoms worse by restricting blood vessels, increasing blood pressure, and reducing blood flow to the ears, eyes, and brain. When salt intake is reduced, people report that tinnitus sounds are lessened. Most processed foods are also high in flavor enhancers such as glutamate. Glutamate floods the neuroreceptors in the auditory pathway and excites them to a point where they fire continuously.
DO…make sure your tinnitus diet includes vitamin A, B1, B6, and B12, vitamin C, iron, and zinc. Zinc is known to be particularly effective in reducing tinnitus noises. It can be found in oysters, lamb, pumpkin seeds, eggs, and beans. Include between 2 and 5 mg of manganese found in foods like bananas, celery, green leafy vegetables, beans, and nuts.
DO NOT…take any mineral such as manganese in excess as this can be dangerous!
DO…include non-gluten grains such as millet, quinoa, and amaranth. Wheat can cause inflammation of the inner ear and worsen tinnitus symptoms. Soy and soy products are a great source of antioxidants and help the body to produce vitamin B.
DO NOT…choose cow’s milk products, although your tinnitus diet should include a moderate amount of dairy products such as yogurt, milk, and cheese. Try to choose organic produce and opt for sheep or goat’s products.
DO…eat unsaturated fats from vegetables, nuts, and fish. These are the fats that are necessary for life and should be included in your tinnitus diet. They lower undesirable cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure, and reduce inflammation in the inner ear. Use olive oil as a cooking oil!
DO NOT…eat fried or fatty foods high in saturated fats as they raise blood pressure, a direct cause of tinnitus, and increase blood fat levels. This restricts oxygen and nutrients to the inner ear and hearing loss.
DO…eat food as close to its natural state as possible. The best tinnitus diet is the Mediterranean diet that is made up of whole, freshly prepared foods, fresh fruits and vegetables, whole-grain bread, pasta, unsaturated fats, beans, and nuts. It’s no wonder that incidents of heart disease are so low in Mediterranean countries.
DO NOT…drink caffeinated drinks such as coffee, tea, and cola. Avoid alcohol. They increase tinnitus noise by creating unnatural highs and lows, which can increase anxiety, stress, and depression in some people.
