Thursday Dec 12, 2013 (foodconsumer.org) -- A new study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests that taking antioxidant vitamins and magnesium supplements may reduce the risk of hearing loss.

Yoon-Hyeong Choi from Seoul National University College of Medicine in Seoul, Korea and colleagues conducted the study and found men and women having high intake of beta-carotene, vitamin C, and magnesium was associated with lower hearing thresholds at high frequencies, compared with those with low intake.  Low hearing thresholds mean better hearing.

The authors mentioned in their report that antioxidant vitamins have been known for some time to protect against hearing loss, at least in animals although prior studies on this subject were few.  Also magnesium taken along with antioxidants may boost the protection.

For the study, researchers surveyed 2592 U.S. adults aged 20 to 69 enrolled in NHANES in 2001 to 2004 for their daily intake of antioxidant vitamins (β-carotene and vitamins C and E) and magnesium and their hearing thresholds.

The study concluded "Dietary intakes of antioxidants and magnesium are associated with lower risks of hearing loss."

Antioxidant vitamins particularly vitamin C are extremely important.  This vitamin has been associated with health benefits including protection against oxidative stress induced by radiation, fluoride, or normal metabolism of carbohydrates and lipids.  Oxidative stress is believed to be associated with a myriad of chronic disease such as heart disease, cancer and neurologic disorders. (David Liu)