Choose This Protein, Hear Better

Reconsider that chicken on top of your pasta. This protein choice is music to your mouth and your ears: salmon.

Yep, in a large study, people who ate finned food at least twice a week were significantly less likely to develop age-related hearing loss over the 5-year study period.

Now Hear This
In fact, the fish lovers were as much as 42 percent less likely to develop age-related hearing loss half a decade after the study started compared with the people who ate less than a serving a week. Researchers speculate that the protection may come from the omega-3 fats that our friends from the sea contain. Higher intakes of omega-3s, including DHA, EPA, and DPA, were associated with not only less risk of hearing loss but also less hearing loss in those who did develop it. Interestingly, taking fish oil supplements didn't offer the same advantage to ears. (How's your hearing? Do this quick self-check to find out.)

Heart of Hearing
Seems those all-important blood vessels that connect to the cochlea -- ground zero for our sense of hearing -- benefit from omega-3 fats the same way blood vessels in the heart do. And still other studies suggest there may be a link between high blood pressure and hearing loss -- yet another reason why cardioprotective fats may have some influence on how often you need to ask people to speak up. (Find out what other important nutrients may help protect your hearing.)

Make one of these fun EatingWell fish dinners tonight for the sake of your ears:

• Try this fresh take on a Southern California specialty: Grilled Salmon Soft Tacos.
• Get a lighter taste of London: Oven-Fried Fish and Chips.
• Enjoy guilt-free pasta with tasty treasures from the sea: Seafood Linguine.

RealAge Benefit

Eating nonfried fish three times a week can make your RealAge up to 3 years younger. Take the RealAge Test!

References

Actively patrolling your health can make your RealAge as much as 12 years younger. Take the RealAge Test  Copyright 2010 RealAge