Special thank you to Jane, RHN for joining us this month to discuss Nutrition for Tinnitus. It is the hope that through this group, anyone with Tinnitus can join in to find support from others who have Tinnitus, learn about new therapies to try, test out some of them, and ultimately find hope in knowing they are not alone. Let’s dive into this month’s topic! 

This Month’s Group

This month we had 2 individuals with Tinnitus (one who has had it for years and another who is new) and 2 spouses join us, as well as Jane, our guest speaker. Jane is a Registered Holistic Nutritionist who has been practicing for 15 years in Toronto and Peterborough. As a nutritionist, she looks at everyone as an individual with unique circumstances and needs. She also specializes in hyperactive disorders and the Blood Type Diet.

 Foods that can Aggravate Tinnitus

If you’ve had Tinnitus for a while, I’m sure you’ve been told to say away from things like nicotine, caffeine, alcohol, sugar, and salt but did you know there are others?

• Sulfites – these are preservatives found in most dried fruit, wine, frozen foods, balsamic vinegar, MSG, etc.
• Phenols – a class of chemical compounds found naturally in a lot of foods including licorice, raisins, honey, raspberries, apricots, oranges, almonds, cashews, olives, peas, beans, and tomatoes. It’s not that these things are bad for you, but phenols do affect how you sleep. Jane noted that if you have these at dinner time (I.e. spaghetti with tomato sauce) expect to have a less restful sleep that night.
• Flavourings – wintergreen, raspberry, strawberry, peach, nutty, apricot, and pineapple
• Seasonings – salt, black pepper, paprika, dried thyme/sage, curry powder, oregano, cumin, cinnamon, cayenne, turmeric, rosemary, Worcestershire, dill, ginger, chives, cloves, etc. Again these herbs and spices contain Phenols that can disrupt your sleep and increase your Tinnitus.
• Other drinks – root beer, tonic water
• Avoid cow dairy – for some blood types, dairy causes inflammation in the body, specifically by creating more mucus in the sinuses. All of which are connected to the ears. Alternatives that don’t cause inflammation are goat dairy, rice milk, or oat milk. You can check out if dairy or any of these react with your blood type at https://www.dadamo.com/.

All of the above have to do with the inflammatory and circulatory systems. These foods increase Tinnitus by increasing blood pressure as blood vessels constrict and reduce circulation or cause inflammation in various parts of the body. Everyone will have a different reaction to these foods, some may not be severe, meaning you may be able to have a little bit every once in a while. For others, these could be something vital to how your Tinnitus presents. 

Foods that can Alleviate Tinnitus

Just as there is food that can increase your Tinnitus, there are others that can help bring it down. These foods include:

• CoQ10 – an antioxidant found in eggs, fatty fish, organ meat, nuts and poultry that increases circulation to the ears. 
• Apple Cider Vinegar (with the mother) – this vinegar is naturally antibacterial and antifungal. It’s also a fat emulsifier, so it helps breakdown buildup in your ears and bronchial system. Mix 1 tablespoon in a mug of water (hot or cold).
• Pumpkin – It’s packed with vitamin A and there have been links to A deficiency and Tinnitus. Try it in soups, stir-fries, or baking. 
• B Complex – make sure it contains B7 and B12. B12 works to rebuild myelin sheaths, the protective layer around the nerve cells in our inner ears. Jane suggested finding a slow-release formula, as with increased stress B leave the body quickly. 
• Onion – It’s a natural antibacterial that helps prevent infections
• Garlic – Reduces inflammation and improved blood circulation 
• Pineapple, Banana, Papayas, Mangos, and Pears – These are great for blood circulation as the high potassium lowers blood pressure. However, be careful not to have too much potassium as that can also lead to other problems. 
• Zinc – foods high in Zinc include seafood, beef, lamb and spinach. These have been linked to a reduction in Tinnitus.
• Celtic Sea Salt or Pink Himalayan Salt…

SALT that can reduce Tinnitus?

Wait, didn’t we just say salt can INCREASE Tinnitus? Yes, I know above we said salt was not great, but in that case, we were talking about normal Table Salt. Table Salt has been processed so much it loses its beneficial nutrients. Celtic and Himalayan salts are full of beneficial minerals that can help:

• Reduce excessive mucus
• Reduce water retention
• Boost the immune system
• Lower acidic levels 
• Speed healing
• Improve heart health
• Stabilize blood sugar
• Prevent muscle cramps and kidney stones

Amazing what foods naturally high in vitamins and minerals can do for our bodies! I don’t think we fully realize how much what we eat can affect our overall health, not just our weight. Matt remembers hearing a quote that said the stomach is like the first brain, everything goes through it and fuels the rest of the body, including our actual brain!

Food and Sleep

As mentioned above, foods with phenols may be hindering your sleep, but Jane suggested there are things you can do to improve it. 

1. If you’re having caffeine, don’t have any after 12-noon. Most caffeine products also contain some kind of phenol. 
2. Take Melatonin. This can be a supplement (Jane recommended 3mg) or natural ones sound in starchy vegetables and grains (I.e. potatoes and rice). 

Knowing about these foods and habits might fundamentally change how we eat dinner, but if it helps with sleep, I think that would be worth it for most.

Want to Try it Out?

If you think any of these foods might be affecting your Tinnitus or just want to find out if they are here are two suggestions for Jane. 

1. Only eat that food on the weekend. Cut that particular food out for the week and only have it on the weekends, see if it has any effect. 
2. If there is some effect, cut out the food for between a week to a month (it can take a bit of time to see any changes). After that add it back. You should be able to tell relatively quickly if it has been affecting your Tinnitus.

For more tailored advice on your situation and body, go see Jane! You can make an appointment through her website: nutritionistjane.com. She has both student and senior rates and can do in office or home visits. 

Conclusion

Thank you again to Jane for a very informative session. From all of us, I think we all learned something new.

Along with looking at our nutrition for Tinnitus and what we are putting into our bodies, check in with yourself regularly about your stress level and sleep, as we know the large impact these have on Tinnitus. Look at your overall health, body, mind, and spirit, as you continue to learn more on your Tinnitus journey. 

Next Month’s Group Topic

Coming into the spring weather, in April, we’ll be discussing allergies and other environmental triggers. Come with your questions and we’ll be discussing some therapies and strategies to help. 

If you missed a month, don’t fret, you can catch up on all the information with our recap blogs!

If you ever have questions or suggestions give us a call 705-749-0707