Hearing is a sense that many people lose as they age. The National Institutes of Health estimate that 50 percent of Americans older than age 75 suffer from loss of hearing. Loud sounds and heredity are the two primary causes for hearing problems, according to website MayoClinic.com. Unfortunately, hearing that has been lost cannot be restored. However, nutritional supplement support can help prevent further deterioration of your auditory range. A qualified health practitioner can help you determine the best supplements to add to your health care regimen.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is a nutrient that nourishes the ear's tissues. As a baby develops in the womb, vitamin A is responsible for the formation of the ears. Throughout your lifetime, a deficiency of this vitamin can result in ear problems such as hearing loss. Food sources of vitamin A include fish, leafy green vegetables, carrots, blueberries, yams and apricots. The recommended dose of vitamin A to support ear health is 5,000 to 10,000 IU per day, according to website Holistic Online.
Vitamin B
Vitamin B12 and B6 deficiencies often result in hearing problems, including tinnitus, according to Holistic Online. Food sources of vitamin B12 include oysters, yeast, eggs, milk, fish and poultry. Food sources of vitamin B6 include whole grains, bananas, eggs and dairy products. The recommended dose of vitamin B12 is 1,000 to 2,000mcg per day, according to nutritionist Phyllis A. Balch, author of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing." The recommended dose of vitamin B6 is 50mg three times per day to nourish inner ear fluids.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a nutrient that improves circulation and delivers oxygen to the cells of the ears, which can help support hearing. This vitamin contains high levels of antioxidants that are also helpful for preventing decline of the ear tissues. Food sources of vitamin E include whole grains, leafy green vegetables, eggs and fish. If you take a vitamin E supplement, use the d-alpha-tocopherol form. The recommended dose is 200 IU per day, according to nutritionist Phyllis A. Balch, author of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing."
References
- Holistic Online: Alternative Medicine for Tinnitus
- Linus Pauling Institute: Micronutrient Information Center
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing"; Phyllis A. Balch; 2010
- MayoClinic.com: Hearing Loss
