Complementary and alternative medicine treatments, including vitamin and mineral supplements and herbs, can be used to help treat medical conditions. Selenium is a mineral that helps the body function properly and may be beneficial in certain ailments. Tinnitus is a common problem, and treatment may involve traditional Western medicine as well as alternative treatments. If you have tinnitus, talk with your doctor about whether selenium or other supplements may help your situation.
Selenium
If you eat a varied and healthy diet, especially one that includes whole grains, fish and nuts and seeds, you probably get enough of the mineral known as selenium. Selenium is an antioxidant that can help protect cells against oxidative damage caused by free radicals, which can lead to disease and aging. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, this mineral also aids in thyroid function and healthy immune system function. More studies need to be performed, but selenium may also help in treating heart disease and cancer. Too much selenium can be toxic, so talk with your doctor before taking a selenium supplement, to see if it is necessary.
Tinnitus
Tinnitus is a condition that affects 1 in 5 people and is described as hearing sounds in the ears or head where there is no external source, states the American Tinnitus Association. It may also be described as ringing in the ears. The exact cause is not known, but there are some hypothesized causes that can also exacerbate symptoms, including head and neck trauma, exposure to loud noises, jaw misalignment and medications. Once an underlying cause or contributor has been found, treatment can address this issue to relieve your symptoms. Treatment can involve ear wax removal, changing medications, hearing aids or tinnitus retraining.
Effect of Selenium on Tinnitus
Vitamins and minerals are used in the treatment of a variety of disorders, and it is not yet known whether selenium may help tinnitus sufferers. A 2007 article in the journal "Progress in Brain Research" discussed the lack of evidence to prove vitamins and minerals helped treat tinnitus, and the potential risks of using these substances as treatments. More research needs to be done on alternative medicine for tinnitus, including vitamins and minerals, for any of these treatments to be recommended.
Considerations
Selenium and other mineral supplements are not meant to be a replacement for your tinnitus treatment. If you have tinnitus, see a doctor for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Before taking selenium, talk with your doctor about whether these supplements are safe and appropriate for your situation. It can interact with other medications and supplements, so tell your doctor about any other drugs you may be taking.
References
- American Tinnitus Association; About Tinnitus; 2011
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Selenium; Dr. Steven Ehrlich; May 2009
- MayoClinic.com; Tinnitus: Treatments and Drugs; July 2010
- "Progress in Brain Research"; Antioxidants, Minerals, Vitamins and Herbal Remedies in Tinnitus Therapy; P. Enrico et al.; 2007
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