Consumption of omega 3 fatty acids and fish and risk of age related hearing loss
Consumption of omega 3 fatty acids and fish and risk of age related hearing loss
Year: 2010
Authors: Gopinath, B. Flood, V.M. Rochtchina, E. McMahon, C.M. Mitchell, P.
Publication Name: Am J Clin Nutr.
Publication Details: Volume 92: Pages 416 – 421
Abstract:
Identification of modifiable risk factors that could prevent or slow the development of age related hearing loss (presbycusis) would be valuable. Dietary polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) intake may be related to age related hearing loss. We aimed to determine the association between dietary intakes of omega 3 (n3) PUFAs and fish and the risk of presbycusis. The Blue Mountains Hearing Study is a population based survey of age related hearing loss (1997 to 1999 to 2002 to 2004). We collected dietary data by using a semi quantitative food frequency questionnaire and calculated PUFA and fish intakes. In 2956 participants (aged above 50 y), we measured presbycusis, which we defined as the pure tone average of frequencies 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 4.0 kHz .25 decibels of hearing loss. There was an inverse association between total n3 PUFA intake and prevalent hearing loss. There was an inverse association between long chain n3 PUFAs and incident hearing loss. Participants who had greater than 2 servings of fish per wk compared with participants who had less than1 serving of fish per wk had a significantly reduced risk (42 per cent) of developing presbycusis at followup. There was an association between consumption of 1 to 2 servings per wk of fish and a reduced risk of a progression of hearing loss. There was an inverse association between higher intakes of long chain n3 PUFAs and regular weekly consumption of fish and hearing loss. Dietary intervention with n3 PUFAs could prevent or delay the development of age related hearing loss. (Authors abstract)
Age related hearing loss (HL) (presbycusis) is a common and under recognized health problem in the older subpopulation. The cochlea of the inner ear is the site at which most of the HL in older adults is believed to arise. The cochlea is highly vascularized and is supported by a single artery. Apart from biological degeneration that results from the aging process itself, genetic risk factors, exposure to noise, and the occurrence of certain diseases may predispose individuals to presbycusis. Although many of these factors cause disruption to the hair cells of the cochlea, per se, it is assumed that disruptions to cochlear blood flow can also cause significant permanent HL. A large, representative, community based cohort of older adults was used to investigate the following aims: 1) to establish whether cross sectional and longitudinal associations exist between dietary intakes of PUFAs and presbycusis, and 2) to determine whether consumption of a diet high in fish protects against the development of HL. This cohort study indicated that dietary total n3 PUFAs was significantly and inversely associated with the prevalence of HL. A higher dietary intake of long chain n3 PUFAs was associated with a 24 per cent decreased risk of developing incident HL. Regular consumption of fish in the diet was negatively associated with the 5 y incidence and progression of HL in older adults. These data suggest that n3 fatty acids and fish have a role in maintaining healthy auditory function in addition to their roles in the prevention and modulation of certain diseases (eg, ischemic heart disease, stroke, and autoimmune disorders). Data from previous studies may help explain the significant inverse association between regular fish consumption and the 5y incidence of age related HL observed in the older cohort in this study. This is relevant because vascular risk factors such as high blood pressure and serum lipids were shown to be associated with HL. Given that cochlear microvascular disease may contribute to age related HL and n3 PUFA supplements may be of benefit in preventing diabetic retinopathy (an example of a microvascular disease), dietary intakes of long chain n23 PUFAs and fish may also have direct beneficial effects on hearing function by preserving the cochlear microcirculatory flow or by other mechanisms not yet defined. In conclusion, with the aging population in most westernized countries, it is expected that an increasing number of older adults will experience HL in their later years. Increasing intake of n3 PUFAs in the diet could be beneficial to beneficial effects on hearing function by preserving the cochlear microcirculatory flow or by other mechanisms not yet defined. In conclusion, with the aging population in most westernized countries, it is expected that an increasing number of older adults will experience HL in their later years. Increasing intake of n3 PUFAs in the diet could be beneficial tobeneficial effects on hearing function by preserving the cochlear microcirculatory flow or by other mechanisms not yet defined. In conclusion, with the aging population in most westernized countries, it is expected that an increasing number of older adults will experience HL in their later years. Increasing intake of n3 PUFAs in the diet could be beneficial to preserve cochlear function and reduce the HL associated with increasing age. However, to fully determine the effects of n3 dietary fats on hearing health, there is a need for high quality randomized controlled trials of long duration. Future large prospective studies that explore the links between dietary fatty acids and hearing health may also contribute to the development of public health recommendations and strategies that concern nutrients and foods that were shown to be protective for a healthy auditory system in data from multiple studies (Editors comments)
Age related hearing loss (HL) (presbycusis) is a common and under recognized health problem in the older subpopulation. The cochlea of the inner ear is the site at which most of the HL in older adults is believed to arise. The cochlea is highly vascularized and is supported by a single artery. Apart from biological degeneration that results from the aging process itself, genetic risk factors, exposure to noise, and the occurrence of certain diseases may predispose individuals to presbycusis. Although many of these factors cause disruption to the hair cells of the cochlea, per se, it is assumed that disruptions to cochlear blood flow can also cause significant permanent HL. A large, representative, community based cohort of older adults was used to investigate the following aims: 1) to establish whether cross sectional and longitudinal associations exist between dietary intakes of PUFAs and presbycusis, and 2) to determine whether consumption of a diet high in fish protects against the development of HL. This cohort study indicated that dietary total n3 PUFAs was significantly and inversely associated with the prevalence of HL. A higher dietary intake of long chain n3 PUFAs was associated with a 24 per cent decreased risk of developing incident HL. Regular consumption of fish in the diet was negatively associated with the 5 y incidence and progression of HL in older adults. These data suggest that n3 fatty acids and fish have a role in maintaining healthy auditory function in addition to their roles in the prevention and modulation of certain diseases (eg, ischemic heart disease, stroke, and autoimmune disorders). Data from previous studies may help explain the significant inverse association between regular fish consumption and the 5y incidence of age related HL observed in the older cohort in this study. This is relevant because vascular risk factors such as high blood pressure and serum lipids were shown to be associated with HL. Given that cochlear microvascular disease may contribute to age related HL and n3 PUFA supplements may be of benefit in preventing diabetic retinopathy (an example of a microvascular disease), dietary intakes of long chain n23 PUFAs and fish may also have direct beneficial effects on hearing function by preserving the cochlear microcirculatory flow or by other mechanisms not yet defined. In conclusion, with the aging population in most westernized countries, it is expected that an increasing number of older adults will experience HL in their later years. Increasing intake of n3 PUFAs in the diet could be beneficial to beneficial effects on hearing function by preserving the cochlear microcirculatory flow or by other mechanisms not yet defined. In conclusion, with the aging population in most westernized countries, it is expected that an increasing number of older adults will experience HL in their later years. Increasing intake of n3 PUFAs in the diet could be beneficial tobeneficial effects on hearing function by preserving the cochlear microcirculatory flow or by other mechanisms not yet defined. In conclusion, with the aging population in most westernized countries, it is expected that an increasing number of older adults will experience HL in their later years. Increasing intake of n3 PUFAs in the diet could be beneficial to preserve cochlear function and reduce the HL associated with increasing age. However, to fully determine the effects of n3 dietary fats on hearing health, there is a need for high quality randomized controlled trials of long duration. Future large prospective studies that explore the links between dietary fatty acids and hearing health may also contribute to the development of public health recommendations and strategies that concern nutrients and foods that were shown to be protective for a healthy auditory system in data from multiple studies (Editors comments)
