Age-related hearing loss is tough to treat. There are not many treatments – conventional or alternative — that work. Some time back, I told you about a Korean drug called Mucosta that can help age-related hearing loss. But now there is a better way. Researchers have found two nutrients that can help.
Researchers recently conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. They found that folic acid supplementation (800 mcg a day) can slow age-related hearing loss. That is right. The same supplement that lowers homocysteine and also improves your memory can have a tremendous impact on your hearing.
This study was on 712 older men who had average homocysteine of 13mm/L (my target is less than 10). They also had vitamin B12 levels above 200 pm/L (I like to see a level of at least 800). Its possible that homocysteine is a factor in age-related hearing loss since both mentioned nutrients, folic acid and B12, lower homocysteine and improve hearing. When high, homocysteine is believed to accelerate aging and could contribute to hearing problems.
The second study was a pilot study on 20 subjects with tinnitus (ringing in the ears). The researchers provided CoQ10 (100 mg, three times daily) for 12 weeks. Seven of the participants started the study with low levels of CoQ10 and saw a significant rise with the supplementation. In these seven, their tinnitus dropped significantly.
CoQ10 is always a winner in my book. Try adding zinc (30 mg), gingko, and B12. Take a look at my website for information on Mucosta. Your local pharmacy or drugstore might be able to get it for you — but only with a prescription.
Ref: Khan M., J. Gross, et al. A pilot clinical trial of the effects of coenzyme Q10 on chronic tinnitus aurium, Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg, 2007; 136(1): 72-7.