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Ménière’s Disease & Supplementation

Nutritional Supplements Can Significantly Reduce the Symptoms of Ménière’s Disease

by Ladd McNamara, M.D.

make it stop

Ménière’s Disease & Supplementation

Nutritional Supplements Can Significantly Reduce the Symptoms of Ménière’s Disease

by Ladd McNamara, M.D.

The article and protocol are for informational purposes only, and not intended as medical advice. Please read medical disclaimer below, and consult your personal health care provider prior to taking supplements or acting upon information provided in this article or protocol.

Discussion

Ménière’s disease is a disorder of the inner ear characterized by episodes of spontaneous or positional vertigo (feeling of spinning), as well as tinnitus (ringing in ears), pressure in the ear, and progressive hearing loss. The symptoms of Ménière’s disease are thought to be triggered by the buildup of fluid in the compartments of the inner ear. Ménière’s disease usually affects only one ear.

Episodes last for at least 20 minutes, and can recur within days, weeks, or years. Frequent episodes can be debilitating and disrupt social life and work, and lead to anxiety and depression.

Diagnosis is based upon your medical history and the presence of:

Two or more episodes of vertigo lasting at least 20 minutes each
Tinnitus
Progressive, temporary hearing loss
A feeling of fullness in the ear

The cause of Ménière’s disease is unknown, but it is thought that something affects the fluid of the inner ear. Some researchers think that Ménière’s disease is the result of constrictions in blood vessels similar to those that cause migraine headaches. Others think Ménière’s disease could be a consequence of viral infections, allergies, or an autoimmune reactions. In any case, it is clear that oxidative stress and inflammation is involved in the pathogenesis

Studies have revealed high concentrations of free radicals, which cause oxidative stress, or damage, and low concentrations of antioxidants in the plasma of those with Ménière’s disease. (1) Accordingly encouraging research has been done on the use of antioxidants and other micronutrients in managing the symptoms of this incurable disease.

Treatment for Ménière’s Disease

Traditional conservative treatment of Ménière’s disease includes diuretics, migraine medications, histamine analogs (betahistine), and oral steroids. Aggressive treatments are employed when conservative treatments fail. Those include surgical procedures, such as intratympanic steroid perfusion, shunts, and ablative procedures.

I have advised many people suffering with Ménière’s disease who had unsatisfactory results with conservative drug therapies, and several who failed to obtain full relief with surgical interventions. To all these people, I recommended a broad spectrum of quality nutritional supplements, including vitamins, minerals, fish oil, grape seed extract, co-enzyme Q10, and others. In each case a significant improvement resulted. Most people reported a complete resolution of their symptoms within less than two weeks!

Those who had persistent hearing loss continued to have hearing loss, however those with temporary, episodic hearing loss experienced improvements. The results with tinnitus were mixed. In some there was no improvement, but most had at least a partial improvement of tinnitus. However everyone I have worked with has reported a complete resolution of vertigo.

Micronutrients to Help with Ménière’s Disease

Although I have not found any research on the use of grape seed extract in those with Ménière’s disease, I have found this to provide consistent benefits, especially if taken at high dosages. However, there is research with the use of the near-identical compound, pycnogenol.

Pycnogenol is an extract from maritime pine bark. Both grape seed extract and pycnogenol are proanthocyanidins. However grape seed extract provides a higher percentage of proanthocyanidins milligram-per-milligram than pine bark extract. Nonetheless, what studies have revealed about pine bark extract, or pycnogenol, can be applied to grape seed extract.

In a controlled study, 55 patients suffering with Ménière’s disease were asked to take 150 mg of pycnogenol daily for 6 months, and the results were compared to 52 control patients. At 3 months, 45.4% of patients using pycnogenol were completely asymptomatic in comparison with 23.07% of controls. At 6 months 87.3% of the patients using pycnogenol were asymptomatic compared with 34.6% of controls. The subjective severity of tinnitus decreased in both groups at 3 and 6 months, however the decrease was more significant among those taking pycnogenol. (2)

Studies involving the use of other antioxidants, including vitamin C, glutathione, and alpha lipoic acid have demonstrated improvement in vertigo, tinnitus, hearing disorders, and disability among those suffering with Ménière’s disease. (3, 4)

Co-enzyme Q10 (coQ10) is a powerful vitamin antioxidant utilized by the mitochondria within cells to convert glucose or fatty acids into the energy molecules, ATP. CoQ10 has been found to help reduce the incidence of, and possibly even reverse cardiomyopathy, coronary artery disease, atherosclerosis, hypertension, and so much more. It has also been found to help reduce the symptoms of Ménière’s disease. (5)

Fish oil contains the important long chain omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA. Omega-3 fatty acids help maintain the balance of ion exchange, acting on systemic hemodynamics, cell membranes, and on cellular organelles. It is this effect that may explain the benefits that fish oil may have on the inner ear, helping to reduce the symptoms of Ménière’s disease. (6)

In a double-blind controlled study involving 160 patients, the herb gingko biloba was found to significantly improve the symptoms of vertigo in 79% of patients. This was better than the standard drug, betahistine, normally used to treat this disorder. In addition, gingko biloba had less side effects. (7)

Bacopa monnieri is an antioxidant and nootropic. A nootropic is any substance that can affect neurotransmission (signaling between neurons) and bioenergetics (the use of energy by the brain). This means bacopa extract both protects neurons from damage and dysfunction (including aging), and positively influences cognitive functions such as memory, alertness, focus, attention. Bacopa has been extensively studied and found to be beneficial among those suffering from dementia, but it also improves memory and focus in the young without memory deficits.

Bacopa extract can be used in conjunction with gingko biloba, or can replace it, as it has been found to enhance memory and cognition more effectively than gingko biloba, especially when combined with coffee cherry extract and American ginseng. It also has the added benefit of inducing a calming effect, helping to reduce the feeling of being overwhelmed and stressed out.

Bacopa extract induces neuron neuroplasticity, allowing new pathways for neurotransmission for memory retrieval. It has beneficial effects on neurons and nerves in general, reducing inflammation and damage, which is beneficial for Ménière’s disease, especially when combined with grape seed extract, co-enzyme Q10, resveratrol, N-acetyl-L-cysteine, quercetin, curcumin, melatonin, and many other micronutrients (as in the protocol below).

In addition to the use of antioxidants for the treatment of symptoms, it is often recommended to reduce stress, as well as salt and caffeine intake, as all can trigger vertigo episodes in those with Ménière’s disease. (8)

Conclusion

Although the cause of Ménière’s disease is unknown, it is known that free radical oxidative damage plays a significant role in causing the symptoms of this potentially debilitating disorder. Considering this fact, the use of micronutrient supplementation with vitamins, minerals, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants appear to be the best way to treat symptoms of Ménière’s disease, especially as there are no concerning side effects, and numerous other benefits to be obtained.

Protocol For Ménière’s disease

Minimal Protocol for Ménière’s Disease

Basic Protocol for Ménière’s Disease

Average Protocol for Ménière’s Disease

Advanced Protocol for Ménière’s Disease

- - AM: With, or after breakfast
  - Noon: At lunchtime with food, or shortly thereafter
  - PM: Late afternoon with food, or at, or after dinner
  - Bacopa extract (150 mg per tablet), combined with Coffee Cherry Extract and American Ginseng Extract. American Ginseng Extract, as opposed to Korean Ginseng, is not stimulating. Coffee Cherry Extract has negligible amount of caffeine (Less 0.3 mg of caffeine per two tablets, which is about 1/10th the amount of that in a cup of decaffeinated coffee).
  - Beta Glucans are derived from Reishi and Shiitake Mushrooms, as well as Baker’s Yeast Extract. They boost the immune system, to help fight viruses, bacteria, fungi, and cancer cells. They also help reduce heart disease, diabetes, and support nerve function.
  - Probiotics, at least take 12 billion colony-forming bacteria, providing Lactobacillus rhamnosus LGG® and Bifidobacterium BB12 every other day or daily.
  - Liver health supplement that provides numerous ingredients, including N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine (NAC), turmeric extract (curcumin), green tea extract, olive extract, broccoli extract, alpha lipoic acid, milk thistle extract, and biotin. Although this product may be marketed as a liver support supplement, it also supports heart health, eye health, brain and nerve health, as well as supports the immune system.
  - Melatonin helps with sleep-wake cycles, and getting into deeper stages of sleep, but does not necessarily help you get to sleep. It should not be considered a sleeping pill. It is also a powerful antioxidant, which works everywhere in the body. It reduces inflammation in the brain and nerves, and also supports the immune system.

Ingredients that I like to see provided collectively by vitamin-antioxidant & chelated mineral tablets

Vitamin A, mostly as Beta Carotene
Vitamin C
Vitamin D3
Vitamin E
Vitamin K (K1 & K2)
B-Complex Vitamins
Curcumin (turmeric extract)
Quercetin
Green Tea Extract
Olive Extract
Rutin
Resveratrol
Choline
Lutein
Lycopene
N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine (NAC)
Calcium
Magnesium
Iodine (as potassium iodide)
Zinc
Selenium
Copper
Manganese
Chromium
Molybdenum
Including Ultra Trace Minerals

Medical Disclaimer

Information on this website, written, spoken, or in any other communication by Dr. Ladd McNamara or any other information or reference is for informational purposes only. The information provided on this website is a result of years of practice, experience, and study by the author. This information is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by someone’s personal licensed physician or other healthcare professional, or any information contained on or in any product label or packaging. Do not use the information on this website, or any other form of communication from Dr. Ladd McNamara or the Dr. Ladd VIP Program, for diagnosing or treatment of a health issue or disease, or for the prescribing of medication or the use of supplementation without a discussion with your licensed health professional first. At best, the information provided on this website is only meant to supplement information provided by your own doctor or health professional, not to replace medical advice. The information from this website is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or possible adverse effects of nutritional supplements with or without medications, or in conjunction with specific medical conditions. The information from this website may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay seeking medical care or disregard advice from your health care professional because of information you have received directly or indirectly from this website, from the Dr. Ladd VIP Program, or from Dr. Ladd McNamara himself. Always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before making any changes to your medication or embarking on a nutritional, herbal or homeopathic supplement program, or before using any treatment for a health concern. If you have, or suspect that you have, a medical problem, contact your health care provider promptly. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking professional advice because of something you have read or heard on this website, or due to any other information from Dr. Ladd McNamara or his representatives. Information provided on this website or the V.I.P. Program, and the use of any products or services mentioned on this website (or as a result of information provided this program, article, or website) by you DOES NOT create a doctor-patient relationship between you and Ladd McNamara, M.D. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

References

Raponi G, et al. The role of free radicals and plasmatic antioxidant in Ménière’s syndrome. Int Tinnitus J. 2003;9(2):104-8.2.
Luzzi R, et al. Improvement in symptoms and cochlear flow with pycnogenol in patients with Meniere’s disease and tinnitus. Minerva Med. 2014 Jun;105(3):245-54.3.
Takumida M, et al. Radical scavengers for Ménière’s disease after failure of conventional therapy: a pilot study. Acta Otolaryngol 2003 Aug;123(6):697-703.4.
Raponi G, et al. The role of free radicals and plasmatic antioxidant in Ménière’s syndrome. Int Tinnitus J. 2003;9(2):104-8.5.
Kumar A, et al. Role of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) in cardiac disease, hypertension and Meniere-like syndrome. Pharmacol Ther. 2009 Dec;124(3):259-68.6.
Borghi C1, Pirodda A. Omega-3 fatty acids: a promising possible treatment for Meniere’s disease and other inner ear disorders of unknown origin? Med Hypotheses. 2012 Oct;79(4):468-70.7.
Larysa Sokolova, et al. Treatment of Vertigo: A Randomized, Double-Blind Trial Comparing Efficacy and Safety of Ginkgo biloba Extract EGb 761 and Betahistine. Int J Otolaryngol. 2014; 2014: 682439.8.
Sánchez-Sellero I, et al. Caffeine intake and Menière’s disease: Is there relationship? Nutr Neurosci. 2017 May 19:1-8.

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