The Tinnitus Diet: 5 Do’s and Don’ts

Have you ever noticed how the ringing, buzzing, hissing, and crackling sounds in your ear seem to be worse some days and then not so bad on another day? Just take a moment to think about what you just ate. Did you have a burger and fries or a few cups of strong coffee? My T. used to get worse after a Chinese takeout! As you know, there’s a lot of salt in one of those. Having a good diet is essential to control the volume and frequency of the tinnitus noises you hear. As you read through this article, you will discover the 5 pros and cons of the tinnitus diet.

YES… give your body premium fuel. Your body needs it to function properly. Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, fish, and whole grains, beans, nuts, olive oil, cheese, yogurt, and eggs. Go organic if you can! These foods will be rich in vitamins and minerals and will boost your immune system.

Do not eat junk food. They are full of empty calories. They are also very high in salt. Salt worsens tinnitus symptoms by constricting blood vessels, increasing blood pressure, and reducing blood flow to the ears, eyes, and brain. When salt intake is reduced, people report that tinnitus sounds are reduced. Most processed foods are also high in flavor enhancers, such as glutamate. Glutamate floods the neuroreceptors in the auditory pathway and excites them to a point where they fire continuously.

YES… make sure your tinnitus diet includes vitamins A, B1,6 and 12, iron C and zinc. Zinc is known to be particularly effective in reducing tinnitus noises. It can be found in oysters, lamb squash seeds, eggs, and beans. Include between 2 and 5 mg. of manganese found in foods like bananas, celery, leafy green vegetables, beans, and nuts.

DO NOT… take any mineral such as manganese in excess as it can be dangerous!

DO…include gluten-free grains like millet, quinoa, and amaranth. Wheat can cause inflammation of the inner ear and worsen tinnitus symptoms. Soy and soy products are a great source of antioxidants and help the body make B vitamins.

DO NOT…choose dairy products from cows, although your tinnitus diet should include a moderate amount of dairy products such as yogurt, milk, and cheese. Try to choose organic products and opt for products from sheep or goats.

DO…eat unsaturated fats from vegetables, nuts and fish. These are the fats that are necessary for life and should be included in your tinnitus diet. They lower unwanted cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure, and reduce inflammation in the inner ear. Use olive oil as cooking oil!

DO NOT… eat fried or fatty foods that are high in saturated fat, as they raise blood pressure, a direct cause of tinnitus, and increase the level of fats in the blood. This restricts oxygen and nutrients to the inner ear and hearing loss.

DO….eat foods as close to their natural state as possible. The best diet for tinnitus is the Mediterranean diet which is made up of freshly prepared whole foods, fresh foods and vegetables, whole grain breads, pastas with unsaturated fats, beans and nuts. It is not surprising that incidents of heart disease are so low in Mediterranean countries.

DO NOT… drink caffeinated beverages such as coffee, tea, and cola. Avoid alcohol. They increase the noise of tinnitus by creating unnatural ups and downs, which can increase anxiety, stress, and depression in some people.