Although nearly all adults experience the sensation of ringing in the ear at some time in their lives, approximately 10 percent of people experience this sensation on a chronic basis, according to the University of Texas at Dallas. Frequent ringing in the ears is known as tinnitus. Certain nutritional factors -- including intake of two B-vitamins -- play important roles in the treatment and development of tinnitus.
Tinnitus
Tinnitus is not a disease itself, but a symptom of an underlying medical condition, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association notes. Tinnitus may be a sign of a serious medical problem, such as a tumor. Common risk factors for ringing in the ear include regular exposure to loud noises, high blood pressure, alcohol abuse, excess caffeine intake and use of tobacco. In addition to medical treatments, there are two good vitamins that can help certain people reduce their tinnitus symptoms.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is an essential B-vitamin important for the production of new DNA, synthesis of red blood cells and for your body's natural metabolism. Those who are exposed to loud noises on a regular basis -- such as factor workers -- may be at heightened risk of tinnitus due to vitamin B12 deficiency, according to a research study published in the March 2003 edition of the "American Journal of Otolaryngology." Loud noise depletes vitamin B12 from your ears, which can cause dysfunction, the authors note. They also found that supplemental vitamin B12 helped reduce tinnitus symptoms in some subjects.
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 is needed by your body to help enzymes work and to promote a healthy nervous system. In a research review published in the May 2003 issue of "Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America," physician Michael D. Seidman, MD, of the Henry Ford Health System, notes that a deficiency of vitamin B6 can bring on tinnitus symptoms by negatively impacting the health of the central nervous system. Healthy sources of vitamin B6 include fatty fish, ready-to-eat cereal and green leafy vegetables.
Considerations
Tinnitus is a medical condition that should be treated by a physician. As with any dietary supplement, don't take vitamin B12 or vitamin B6 until you receive the approval from your doctor. In addition, you can reduce the impact of tinnitus on your life by cleaning your ears of excess ear wax, limiting alcohol intake and avoiding tobacco.
References
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association: Tinnitus
- ""American Journal of Otolaryngology"; Vitamin B12 deficiency in patients with chronic-tinnitus and noise-induced hearing loss; Z Shemesh et al.; March 1993
- "Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America"; Alternative medications and other treatments for tinnitus: facts from ?ction; M Seidman et al.; May 2003
- University of Texas at Dallas: Findings Show Promise in Battle Against Tinnitus
