The recent discovery of a strong inverse link between levels of the omega-3 fatty acid DHA in the blood and age-related hearing problems in adults underscores the accumulating evidence that emphasizes the role of omega-3 fatty acids, especially DHA, in promoting health and warding off health issues associated with aging.
This new research correlates elevated blood levels of DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid, with a decreased risk of experiencing hearing issues as one ages, thus reinforcing the growing recognition of the role of omega-3 in preserving health and preventing age-related conditions.
The study conducted a population-based cross-sectional research and found an inverse relationship between blood levels of the omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and hearing problems. According to the findings, middle-aged and older adults with high DHA levels were 8-20% less likely to report age-related hearing issues than those with lower DHA levels.
Michael I. McBurney, PhD, a senior scientist with the Fatty Acid Research Institute and an adjunct professor in the Department of Human Health & Nutritional Sciences at the University of Guelph and the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University said, “Previous findings have linked higher DHA levels with a lower risk of heart disease, cognitive impairment, and death. Our study extends these findings to suggest a role for DHA in maintaining auditory function and helping reduce the risk of age-related hearing loss.”
McBurney, who is a Fellow of the American Society for Nutrition and the Canadian Nutrition Society, will share the findings at NUTRITION 2023, the flagship annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition to be held July 22–25 in Boston.
Data collected from the UK Biobank were used by the researchers, wherein they examined self-reported hearing status and blood DHA levels of over 100,000 individuals aged 40-69 years in the United Kingdom. After adjusting for potential confounding factors, the results revealed that people with the highest blood DHA levels (one-fifth of the participants) were 16% less likely to acknowledge hearing difficulties and 11% less likely to report difficulty following conversations in noisy environments compared to those with the lowest blood DHA levels.
However, McBurney cautioned that a cross-sectional population study alone cannot definitively establish that DHA preserves auditory function or that deficient DHA levels lead to hearing loss. Nevertheless, these findings contribute to the growing evidence highlighting the significance of omega-3 fatty acids, particularly DHA, in preserving health and preventing age-related declines in various bodily functions.
Omega-3s may potentially safeguard the cells in the inner ear or lessen inflammatory responses to loud noises, chemicals, or infections. Prior studies in older adults and animals also suggest that high omega-3 levels inversely correlate with, and may help guard against, age-related hearing loss.
Our body’s ability to produce DHA is limited, and thus, the amount of DHA present in our blood and tissues is largely dependent on our intake of omega-3. Regular seafood consumption or taking dietary supplements can increase DHA levels.
McBurney asserts that higher blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids are beneficial. “Fatty fish and omega-3 supplements are both effective dietary sources. If opting for a dietary supplement, it’s important to compare products by reviewing the Supplement Facts panel for eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)+DHA content,” he said.
It’s estimated that about 20% of the global population—over 1.5 billion people—suffer from hearing loss. This figure is projected to rise with the aging of the population in the coming years. Hearing loss, which can range from mild to profound, can affect communication, social interaction, educational and job opportunities, among other aspects of daily life.
Hearing loss can be attributed to environmental factors, genetic predispositions, and certain medications. Proven strategies to lower the risk of hearing loss include protecting the ears from loud noises using protective equipment and seeking appropriate medical care for infections.
McBurney will present his research at 8:09 a.m. EDT on Monday, July 24, during the Nutrition-related Factors in Aging and Chronic Disease Poster Theater Flash Session in the Sheraton Boston, Fairfax.
In the UK Biobank, an association between Plasma Omega-3 Blood Levels and Prevalent Hearing Loss was examined. It’s noted that approximately 1.57 billion people worldwide suffer from hearing loss (~20% of the population). Higher fish intakes have been correlated with age-related hearing loss in humans and omega-3 fatty acid supplementation has shown to prevent hearing loss in mice.
The objective of this research was to evaluate cross-sectional associations between plasma omega-3 fatty acids, specifically docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and self-reported hearing loss in the UK Biobank. Among individuals with plasma DHA data (n=117,938), data for hearing were available for between 71,368 and 115,303 individuals. The findings showed that individuals with the highest DHA levels were 8 to 20% less likely to report hearing issues.
Future research is needed to confirm the inverse relationship of plasma DHA with incident hearing loss, and randomized trials are necessary to test the effects of increased DHA intakes on hearing metrics to determine potential causal mechanisms.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Omega-3 Intake and Age-Related Hearing Loss
What is the key finding of the recent research on omega-3 fatty acid DHA?
The research found a significant inverse correlation between blood levels of the omega-3 fatty acid DHA and age-related hearing difficulties in adults. Higher DHA levels in the blood were linked to a reduced likelihood of reporting age-related hearing issues.
What is the role of omega-3 fatty acids, specifically DHA, in health?
Omega-3 fatty acids, especially DHA, have been linked to maintaining health and preventing age-related health issues. They might help protect the cells in the inner ear or reduce inflammatory responses to loud noises, chemicals, or infections.
What were the results of the study using data from the UK Biobank?
The study showed that people in the highest quintile of blood DHA levels were 16% less likely to acknowledge hearing difficulties and 11% less likely to report difficulty following conversations in noisy environments compared to those with the lowest blood DHA levels.
How can we increase our DHA levels?
Since our bodies have a limited ability to produce DHA, our intake of omega-3 primarily determines the DHA levels in our blood and tissues. DHA levels can be increased by regularly consuming seafood or taking dietary supplements.
What is the impact of hearing loss on daily life?
Hearing loss can range from mild to profound. It affects communication and social interactions, educational and job opportunities, and many other aspects of daily life.
What are some proven strategies to lower the risk of hearing loss?
Proven ways to reduce the risk of hearing loss include protecting the ears from loud noises by using protective equipment and seeking appropriate medical care for infections.
What are good dietary sources of omega-3 fatty acids?
Fatty fish and omega-3 supplements are both effective dietary sources of omega-3 fatty acids. If opting for a dietary supplement, it’s important to compare products by reviewing the Supplement Facts panel for eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)+DHA content.
More about Omega-3 Intake and Age-Related Hearing Loss
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids: An Essential Contribution
- UK Biobank
- Omega-3 Supplements: In Depth
- Age-Related Hearing Loss
- Dietary Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation and Naproxen Treatment in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Fatty Acid Research Institute
- NUTRITION 2023
6 comments
Finally, another reason to indulge in my love for seafood! DHA for the win!
love to see more research into age-related health issues. every little bit of prevention can go a long way!
These studies always say ‘correlation doesn’t mean causation’. so how do we know for sure that its the omega-3s and not some other factor? We need more data!
Wow, this is interesting stuff! I had no idea that omega-3s could help with hearing. I’ll start having more fish, I guess.
Well thats fascinating.. I’ve always struggled with hearing a bit and I guess it wouldn’t hurt to try and up my omega-3 intake. Anything that might help right?
Great to see how diet can impact different areas of health. its amazing how much omega-3 fatty acids can do. Time to stock up on salmon and supplements I suppose!