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ZINC
Zinc is a component of over 100 enzymes. Among these are DNA polymerase, RNA polymerase, and tRNA synthetase. Mild deficiency causes growth retardation in children. More severe deficiency is associated with growth arrest, hypogonadism, infertility, poor wound healing, diarrhea, dermatitis, alopecia, behavioral changes, taste and smell disorders, and tinnitus. Zinc seems to function in certain areas to influence neurotransmission and to inhibit binding of peptides and other ligands to their neuroreceptors.
The RDI of zinc in adults is 15 mg. The majority of the zinc content in humans is bound to proteins in the tissues. In plasma, zinc is primarily bound to albumin; less than 2% of zinc is found free. The zinc level in serum is not the best parameter, but is the most reliable one for assessing zinc balance in the body. Nearly 99% of total-body zinc is inside the cells. The remainder is in plasma and extracellular fluids.25
Studies on rodents have shown a high content of zinc in the inner ear. Other studies have found that the human cochlea has the body's greatest concentration of zinc. These findings have given rise to speculation of the role of zinc in inner ear function. A correlation between hypozincemia and tinnitus has been reported.22 In an uncontrolled trial by Gersdorff et al., zinc was found to reduce tinnitus.9 Zinc given in doses ranging from 10 to 25mg has delivered good results in some patients shown to be hypozincemic based on blood tests. In a double-blind, randomized study, Paaske showed little correlation between hypozincemia and tinnitus; and no significant improvement in subjective tinnitus using zinc supplements.25
Ochi, et al. demonstrated a significant decrease in zinc levels in patients suffering from tinnitus, and that supplementation with doses of 34-68 mg of zinc over two weeks significantly decreased tinnitus. Excellent results have been found with the combination of niacin and 25 mg zinc gluconate twice a day.22 If tinnitus is of recent onset, complete resolution is possible. With longer duration, the tinnitus can be diminished with these nutrients in some people.
Supplementation of 90-150 mg per day has been shown to be beneficial in some cases. Zinc therapy when prescribed is often accompanied by frequent blood tests to monitor copper levels. Copper and zinc compete for intestinal absorption, so chronic ingestion of zinc may result in copper deficiency. Acute zinc toxicity can usually be induced by ingestion of greater than 200 mg of zinc in a single day and is manifested by epigastric pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Editors Note: A more recent clinical study conducted in Ankara, Turkey by Arda, et. al. showed that 50 mg of zinc daily reduced subjective tinnitus in 82% of patients. See complete clinical study on zinc. - Barry Keate
MAGNESIUM
Magnesium is the fourth most abundant cation in the body after sodium, potassium, and calcium, and the second most prevalent intracellular cation. The normal body content is around 1000 mmol, 50-60% of which is in bone. Extracellular magnesium accounts for only 1% of total body magnesium. The normal serum concentration ranges between 0.75 and 0.95 mmol/L.40
Magnesium is essential for the function of important enzymes, including those related to the transfer of phosphate groups and every step related to the replication and transcription of DNA and the translation of mRNA. This cation is also required for cellular energy metabolism and has an important role in membrane stabilization, nerve conduction, ion transport. Deficiency can thus result in a variety of metabolic abnormalities and clinical consequences, including tinnitus.1
Magnesium has been shown to prevent hearing loss in a study by Attias et al. Three hundred healthy, young male military recruits undergoing two months of basic training were studied. The trainees were repeatedly exposed to high levels of impulse noise. Each recruit received daily either 167 mg of magnesium (as magnesium aspartate) or a placebo (sodium aspartate). Permanent hearing loss was significantly more frequent and more severe in the placebo group. It can be inferred, therefore, that magnesium may have a positive role on tinnitus.1
Magnesium is a potent glutamate antagonist. There is evidence in the literature that antagonism of glutamate receptors has an effect on auditory sensitivity and on tinnitus.37 Furthermore, a highly motivated patient elected to have magnesium sulfate delivered to the inner ear for her severe unilateral cochlear tinnitus. While the MgSO4 was being delivered, her tinnitus ceased. Unfortunately, it recurred shortly after cessation of the perfusion.16
Animal studies have shown that noise exposure causes magnesium to be excreted from the body.40 Supplementation with magnesium might reduce the ototoxicity from this noise and thus reduce the likelihood of new onset tinnitus. Few studies have documented that magnesium supplementation improves tinnitus, but many patients have had relief with this method.
Editors Note: View a more complete look at Magnesium and its relation to health and tinnitus
for more
www.tinnitusformula.com/qtimes/2007/08/alt_treat2_up.aspx
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Okan
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15 Aug 2007 10:44
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