Tinnitus. Are there foods and supplements that can help?

I suffer from Tinnitus. Probably due to working in a noisy environment when I worked in a foundry as a laboratory/foundry technician back in the 1970s.

At present, there are no drug therapies available, but there are some foods and supplements that are pointed to as being of help to alleviate at least the symptoms of the condition.

One organisation claiming to offer support for people with tinnitus alleges that no foods, vitamins or supplements can help alleviate the symptoms of tinnitus saying "No research has been done to prove that this particular supplement, food or vitamin has any affect on tinnitus." 

Whilst that might be true, I think it's rather strange that the organisation hasn't actually decided to fund any research into these foods, vitamins or supplements by medical research teams. I'm sure hospitals with expertise on tinnitus and supplement or vitamin manufacturers would be more than willing to undertake such research.

Interestingly some qualified Medical Doctors do refer patients with tinnitus to a number of foods, vitamins and supplements which they say can help deal with tinnitus. They don't claim they will act as a cure, but they do point out that they can help alleviate the symptoms at least to an extent and in some people who suffer from tinnitus.

In his highly interesting and very readable blog Neil Sperling MD (who is a specialist in surgery for hearing restoration procedures) points to a number of foods, vitamins and supplements that can offer some relief for tinnitus sufferers:-

Vitamin B12

Bromelain

Potassium

Zinc

Folate

He also points out some foods that you should consider avoiding if you have tinnitus.

You can read his full and very interesting blog post on this subject here:- https://rb.gy/c0lac

There is more evidence on what foods you should consider avoiding here https://www.healthyhearing.com/report/52444-Tinnitus-you-hear-what-you-eat

If you search Amazon you will find a variety of vitamins and supplements and patches that are claimed to be able to treat tinnitus. I am not providing any links to these as I haven't tried them yet so have no idea if they are effective. After I have my appointment with my tinnitus consultant I may well try some of those treatments in the future. 

Some vitamin and supplement providers do sell products that could help tinnitus sufferers so just Google them and see what comes up.

(Image used courtesy of Gerd Altmann from Pixabay)