The Power of Omega-3 Promoting Healthy Hearing for Life
A new population-based cross-sectional study has revealed an interesting link between blood levels of the omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and hearing problems. According to the study, higher DHA levels in middle-aged and older individuals were associated with a reduced likelihood (8-20%) of reporting age-related hearing impairments compared to those with lower DHA levels.
Michael I. McBurney, PhD, a senior scientist with the Fatty Acid Research Institute, emphasized that higher DHA levels have previously been linked to a lower risk of heart disease, cognitive impairment, and mortality. The study further suggests that DHA plays a role in maintaining auditory function and may help decrease the risk of age-related hearing loss.
The research, presented at NUTRITION 2023, used data from the UK Biobank to analyze the hearing status and blood DHA levels of over 100,000 individuals aged 40-69 in the United Kingdom. The results showed that individuals in the highest quintile of blood DHA levels were 16% less likely to experience difficulty hearing and 11% less likely to have difficulty following conversations with background noise compared to those in the lowest quintile of DHA levels.
Although the study highlights a significant association between DHA levels and hearing, McBurney cautions that it is a cross-sectional population study and doesn’t provide enough evidence to definitively conclude that DHA directly maintains auditory function or that low DHA levels lead to hearing loss. However, the findings contribute to the growing body of evidence emphasizing the importance of omega-3 fatty acids, particularly DHA, in maintaining overall health and safeguarding against age-related declines in various bodily functions.
Omega-3s, found in fatty fish and supplements, may protect the health of inner ear cells and mitigate inflammatory responses to loud noises, chemicals, or infections. As an estimated 20% of the global population (over 1.5 billion people) are living with hearing loss, the study’s insights are particularly significant, especially with the aging population contributing to an anticipated increase in hearing loss cases.
McBurney encourages individuals to consider their omega-3 intake, as the body’s ability to produce DHA is limited, and its levels in the blood and tissues depend on dietary consumption. Regularly including seafood in the diet or taking omega-3 supplements can increase DHA levels.
To reduce the risk of hearing loss, it is vital to protect ears from loud noises using protective equipment and seek appropriate medical care for infections.
