How To Prevent Hearing Loss

Posted by Matt on August 6th, 2009 at 08:00am

Inevitably, as we all get older, we all start to lose our hearing. Whether by choice from listening to loud music and going to concerts, or by necessity at the workplace, many of us are exposed to loud sounds that can cause permanent hearing damage. Unlike other cells in the body, inner ear cells do not regenerate. Once we lose those critical cells, they are gone. There is no way as of yet to improve hearing, but you can eat foods containing certain vitamins and nutrients that might help you prevent hearing loss.

Alpha Lipoic Acid is an antioxidant naturally found in the body that helps remove waste products in our system. ALA is able to move easily throughout the body because it is both fat and water soluble. In particular, the antioxidant can pass easily into the brain and is thought to protect nerve tissue. Alpha Lipoic Acid is produced naturally in the body, but in small doses. Red meats, especially internal organs like liver, are the primary food source for ALA. Yeast, broccoli and spinach also contain small amounts of Alpha Lipoic Acid.

Additionally, according to some new research, a combination of magnesium with vitamins A, C and E, when ingested before exposure to high decibels, may help prevent inner ear damage. Loud sounds can trigger the production of ear cell-damaging molecules in the ear, and the magnesium combination is thought to prevent that. Many different foods have the four nutrients, but one of the easiest ways to get all four is to eat broccoli with spinach. Spinach contains magnesium, vitamin A and vitamin E, and broccoli contains vitamin C and vitamin A.

To help prevent hearing loss, eat broccoli and spinach. That way, you can get all the Alpha Lipoic Acid, magnesium, vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin E you need. Make this Vegetable Salad in 24 Hours to get all the nutrients you need for clear hearing into the future.

Vegetable Salad in 24 Hours

Ingredients

4 cup torn iceberg lettuce, romaine, spinach, leaf lettuce, and/or Bibb lettuce
1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms, broccoli flowerets, and/or frozen peas
1 cup shredded carrots
2 hard-cooked eggs, sliced
6 slices turkey bacon, cooked and crumbled
3/4 cup shredded low-fat Swiss or low-fat Cheddar cheese
1/4 cup thinly sliced green onions
3/4 cup light mayonnaise or salad dressing
1 1/2 lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon dried dillweed, optional

Instructions

1. Place lettuce in a 3-quart salad bowl.

2. If desired, sprinkle with salt and pepper.

3. Layer atop lettuce in the following order: mushrooms, broccoli, and/or peas, carrots, eggs, bacon, 1/2 cup of the cheese, and green onions.

4. For dressing: In small bowl, combine the mayonnaise or salad dressing, lemon juice, and if desired, dillweed.

5. Spread dressing over top of salad.

6. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 cup cheese.

7. Cover and chill for 2 to 24 hours.

8. Before serving, toss to coat vegetables.

Tags: Diet Studies, Health, healthy foods, nutrition, what to eat

Under nutrition Tags: Diet Studies, Health, healthy foods, nutrition, what to eat