Hearing loss: omega-3s reduce the risk by 14%.
Omega 3 supplements: 14% lower risk of hearing loss
Increasing intake of omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of experiencing the hearing loss associated with aging. Specifically, according to researchers at the University of Sydney (Australia) over the age of 50, consuming fish rich in Omega-3 at least twice a week reduces this risk by 42 percent compared with those who eat less than one serving of fish per week. A similar effect was found in the case of Omega-3 fatty acid intake, corresponding to a 14 percent reduction in the risk of age-associated hearing loss. Reporting the Australian researchers' findings is the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
The importance of nutrition for ear health
Previous studies had already emphasized the importance of proper nutrition in reducing the risk of losing some of your hearing as you age. In 2007, for example, the Annals of Internal Medicine published research by experts at Wageningen University (Netherlands) involving 728 men and women aged 50 to 70 years. Their results showed that taking folic acid supplements delayed the onset of hearing disorders associated with the perception of low-frequency sound waves. In contrast, another research, presented in February 2009 at the annual conference of the Association for Research in Otolaryngology in Baltimore, U.S., showed that beta carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, and magnesium prevented hearing loss-both temporary and permanent-in mice and guinea pigs.
Fish for healthy hearing
In the new research, scientists from the University of Sydney, led by Paul Mitchell, analyzed data concerning 2,956 individuals involved in the Blue Mountains Hearing Study. The latter is a study conducted on the Australian population concerning precisely the hearing loss associated with aging. Fish consumption-and, consequently, the intake of the Omega-3s it contains-was determined by analyzing an eating habits questionnaire completed by each study participant. The results of the analysis showed that there was a correlation between the total amount of dietary Omega-3 intake and hearing loss. Specifically, an increase in fish consumption corresponds to a decrease in the risk of being affected by a decline in hearing ability. According to the researchers, the results of this study show that Omega-3 intake could prevent or delay hearing loss associated with aging. Further research, including clinical trials, will allow this hypothesis to be tested.
Source
1. Gopinath B, Flood VM, Rochtchina E, McMahon CM, Mitchell P, "Consumption of omega-3 fatty acids and fish and risk of age-related hearing loss," Am J Clin Nutr. 2010 Aug;92(2):416-21. Epub 2010 Jun 9 2. Durga J, Verhoef P, Anteunis LJ, Schouten E, Kok FJ, "Effects of folic acid supplementation on hearing in older adults: a randomized, controlled trial," Ann Intern Med. 2007 Jan 2;146(1):1-9
