A new study suggests that regular fish consumption may help reduce the risk of persistent tinnitus in women. This connection between diet and hearing health is an important finding that could have significant implications for managing this common and often debilitating condition. According to the research, higher intakes of tuna, light-meat fish, and shellfish were all associated with a lower risk of tinnitus. Explore the potential mechanisms behind this link and learn how adopting a diet rich in seafood may help silence the ringing in your ears.
How Fish Makes Tinnitus Worse
The findings, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, provide new insight into what role diet may play in causing tinnitus. Tinnitus is when you can hear ringing, buzzing or other noises in your ear and it is often a chronic condition that can lead to quality of life influencing suffering.
Those women who ate fish less than once a week actually had a higher risk of getting tinnitus, however: There was a 21 percent increased risk among that group, compared to the one-fish-per-week crowd. The risk was even lower — 21% reduced — for those who ate five or more servings a week. It was interesting that the type of fish made a difference, and increased intakes of tuna, light-meat fish and shellfish were all associated with a lower tinnitus risk.
The Likely Fish-Tinnitus Connection…the Theory
Omega-3 fatty acids and other nutrients in the seafood that have powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects might be behind the protective work, the researchers said. The function of these nutrients is tied to their potential benefits on the auditory system and might work to mitigate the downstream consequences resulting from inflammation and oxidative stress (a common pathway that leads to tinnitus formation).
The researchers also saw increased tinnitus risk with dark-meat fish consumption and fish oil supplement use. This could mean it matters how the fish is cooked or the particular nutrients in different types of seafood that affects tinnitus risk, and not just simply eating more fish.
Enjoy More Seafood to Keep Your Tinnitus Away
Our results suggest that diet may be the best option for more than 1 in 10 women to reduce heightened risk of persistent tinnitus, which the only modifiable risk factor identified here. If you want to realize the possible benefits, she advises eating at least one serving of fish a week, focusing on tuna, light-meat fish and shellfish.
If you already have tinnitus, rest assured. The results of this study are in reference to prevention, however eating “fatty fish” may help manage the disease and/or improve symptoms for those already diagnosed. But, consult with a healthcare professional to find a definitive plan that can treat root causes of your tinnitus as well.
