Turmeric is well known for the many health benefits it can offer. From reducing cholesterol levels to regulating blood pressure to even preventing macular problems, it is what is called a super-spice. But, is there a Turmeric Tinnitus connection too? Can Turmeric help with your Tinnitus? Or, does Turmeric make Tinnitus worse? What dosage is best? Let’s explore.
How Turmeric Can Help With Your Tinnitus?
A note about Curcumin, the Active Ingredient in Turmeric
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Before we delve into the benefits that Turmeric can offer to help with your Tinnitus, it is important that you learn about Curcumin. Curcumin is the active ingredient in Turmeric. It is what provides all the health benefits discussed below.
Only 3% of the Turmeric spice is Curcumin. When you take a Turmeric extract or curcumin extract, you get up to 95% curcumin levels. So, please keep this in mind when potentially buying Turmeric supplements for your Tinnitus. More information on recommended dosage a little later in the post.
Anti-inflammatory properties
Tinnitus is an idiopathic condition. In other words, the cause is usually unknown. But, inflammation in the ear or brain is believed to be one of the leading causes of Tinnitus. And, the Curcumin in Turmeric can provide strong anti-inflammatory benefits that can reverse this inflammation.
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There have been no studies that have specifically explored the anti-inflammatory benefits of Turmeric on Tinnitus. But, this Harvard study on Turmeric’s anti-inflammatory properties concluded that Turmeric provided the same benefit as NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), when used for arthritis relief. The dosage used in the study was 500 mg (5 g) of Curcumin a day.
Some anecdotal evidence strongly suggests that Curcumin is particularly effective in relieving Tinnitus that was caused by infections like Meningitis.
Anti-oxidant benefits
Another leading cause of Tinnitus is stereocilia cell death caused by free radical damage. Stereocilia are hair like structures found in the inner ear. These cells dance and sway to convert sound waves into electrical signals. When they die, they do not regenerate. A lot of dead stereocilia cells can potentially cause not just Tinnitus, but also hearing loss.
Curcumin in Turmeric can protect these cells against oxidative stress. It does this by scavenging on oxidants like peroxyl. It is also believed that turmeric can stimulate the production and action of other antioxidants that can protect cells in the ear as well as other parts of the body.
Can potentially protect against loud noise damage
It’s not just free radicals that damage inner ear cells. Loud noise can do it as well. In fact, loud noise exposure, particularly the chronic kind, is believed to be the leading cause of Tinnitus. And, this study on brown rats shows that Turmeric prevents and even treats fibroblasts damage in the cochlea, caused by exposure to loud noise. The study concluded that Curcumin worked against apoptosis or cell death.
Unfortunately, there are no human studies to confirm this potential benefit that turmeric may be offering for your Tinnitus or your general hearing health.
May Improve Brain Function
This study, albeit an animal study, concluded that Curcumin increased BDNF or the Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor. An improvement of this factor is believed to help prevent cognitive diseases like Alzheimer’s. There is some speculation that this benefit can offer Tinnitus relief as well.
May Offset Drug Induced Ototoxicity
Many medications are ototoxic in nature. What this means is that they can harm the ears’ structures and hearing. For example, most antidepressants are ototoxic. This study shows how Curcumin offsets ototoxicity brought on by certain drugs.
Can Alleviate Depression, Stress and Anxiety
Most Tinnitus sufferers also suffer from stress and anxiety. Depression and Tinnitus is also a bad combination of symptoms to have. Turmeric is able to provide a anti-depressant and anti-anxiety benefit that can alleviate stress that can be a significant Tinnitus trigger or catalyst. This alleviation can then allow a person suffering from Tinnitus to better cope with their condition. This can then lead to habituation or even an improvement or resolution of Tinnitus.
This study divided 60 people with depression in 3 groups. One group received Prozac. Another group received Prozac and also 1 gram of Curcumin a day. The third group received only Curcumin. The study concluded that the group that received both Prozac and Curcumin experienced the most relief from depressive symptoms.
Can Turmeric Cause Tinnitus?
There is absolutely no evidence to suggest that Turmeric can cause Tinnitus. However, the Internet has many anecdotal pieces of evidence (Tinnitus Talk forum for example) that suggest that taking Curcumin or Turmeric caused a Tinnitus spike.
The only way to find out if Turmeric can cause a Tinnitus spike is to experiment for yourself. If it does cause a spike, it is best you stop taking the Turmeric or Curcumin supplement that you were taking. Such a spike should generally fade when the Turmeric you have consumed leaves your system. It is also recommended that you adjust your Turmeric dosage to the levels recommended below, if you were taking too high a dosage.
Turmeric Dosage for Tinnitus Relief
This study advises 8 grams a day (8,000 mg) as the maximum Curcumin dosage per day. It also recommends 6 grams a day (6,000 mg) as the recommended dosage.
The study also states that the bioavailability of Curcumin is increased by 2,000% when it is taken along with Piperine, an element found in black pepper. It is also believed that taking Curcumin or Turmeric supplements with mayonnaise, butter or animal fats may increase its bioavailability.
Should You Take Turmeric for Tinnitus Relief?
If you stick to the recommended dosage levels, Turmeric is definitely worth a try for Tinnitus relief. Even if it can’t provide Tinnitus relief, it can provide various other benefits like reduced muscle soreness, better blood pressure control and arthritic pain relief. It may even help you lose some weight.
But, if your Tinnitus spikes after taking Turmeric or Curcumin, it is best you discontinue use immediately.
