Menieres Disease

The right diet is the key to managing many diseases and to improving general quality of life. For this condition, scientific research has found benefit in the following healthy eating tips.

• Elimination Diet

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  Work with a knowledgeable healthcare provider to see if detecting and treating allergies to airborne or food allergens might improve your symptoms.

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  Elimination Diet

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  MD is associated with allergies to airborne particles, mold, and food in some individuals, according to many preliminary reports.^{30,31,32,33,34} In one preliminary study, 50% of participants with MD reported known food or inhalant allergies.³⁵ In a controlled study, participants with MD who underwent allergy treatment, including avoiding foods suspected of provoking allergic reactions, reported statistically significant improvement in tinnitus, vertigo, and hearing.³⁶ In this study, the most common food allergies were to wheat and soy. Most participants also had allergies to milk, corn, egg, and yeast.

• Low-Glycemic Index Diet

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  In one study, a low-glycemic-index diet with moderate to high protein intake, moderate to low fat, and restricted complex carbohydrates was found to reduce symptoms in patients with blood sugar abnormalities.

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  Low-Glycemic Index Diet

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  Some cases of MD are associated with high blood triglycerides and cholesterol, and abnormalities in blood sugar regulation, such as diabetes and hypoglycemia.^{37,38,39,40,41} In one preliminary study,⁴² a modified hypoglycemia diet with moderate to high intake of protein, moderate to low intake of fat, and restricted intake of complex carbohydrates was found to reduce MD symptoms in a large number of patients with blood sugar abnormalities. Participants with high cholesterol were put on low cholesterol diets, and those that were overweight were put on calorie-restricted diets. In addition, refined carbohydrates, alcohol, and caffeine were prohibited, and small frequent meals with between meal snacks were recommended. A majority of participants were also given supplements of calcium, fluoride, and vitamin D as described below, so the importance of these dietary changes to the overall effectiveness of the program cannot be determined. This intriguing report needs confirmation from controlled trials.

• Low-Salt Diet

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  Follow a low-salt diet to help reduce or stabilize symptoms.

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  Low-Salt Diet

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  A low-salt diet (no more than 800–1,000 mg sodium per day) combined with diuretic medication, is believed to reduce endolymphatic hydrops,⁴³ and is often recommended in MD.^44,45,46 While the benefits of a low salt diet and diuretics have not been scientifically proven for this condition,⁴⁷ clinics specializing in MD report a significant reduction or stabilization of symptoms with this regimen.⁴⁸ Preliminary human trials suggest a low-salt diet may reduce the progression of hearing loss associated with MD.⁴⁵