We examined how dietary intakes of vitamins and minerals, particularly zinc, could influence the onset and presence of tinnitus, a condition characterized by phantom sounds in the ears. In a study involving nearly 3,000 participants over the age of 50, we identified cases of tinnitus to determine if their dietary habits played a role in their experience of this condition.
The findings indicated that while there were no significant associations between overall vitamin and mineral intake and existing tinnitus prevalence, zinc intake stood out in relation to developing tinnitus over time. Specifically, we observed that lower zinc consumption was linked to a 44% increased risk of experiencing tinnitus over a ten-year period.
Furthermore, we noted that iron intake also showed a significant correlation, with lower iron levels raising incident tinnitus risk by approximately 35%. These results highlight the potential importance of maintaining adequate zinc and iron levels in our diets to help reduce the risk of developing tinnitus.
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