Metabolism and Meniere’s disease – How is it related?
This is the third article in a series related to the endocrine system and Meniere’s Disease.
The hormones responsible for regulating metabolism are mainly produced by the pancreas and thyroid gland. These glands are part of the endocrine system.
Both thyroid dysfunction and endocrine disorders have been linked to Meniere’s disease, so too has metabolic disorder. Metabolic disorders can stem from the endocrine system and the thyroid being out of sync.
Metabolism is the process your body uses to get or make energy from the food you eat. Food is made up of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. Natural chemicals in your digestive system break the food down into sugars and acids, your body’s fuel. Your body either uses this fuel straight away, or it stores the energy in your body tissues, such as your liver, muscles, and body fat.
A metabolic disorder occurs when abnormal chemical reactions in your body disrupt this process. When this happens, you might have too much of some substances or too little of others that you need to stay healthy. This can happen when the thyroid, adrenal glands or other organs and glands in the endocrine system are out of sync and sending out the wrong hormonal signals. Estrogen mimickers that make their way into our bodies mainly through toxins in foods and water are prime examples of endocrine disruptors that create abnormal chemical reactions.
There are numerous studies and medical papers suggesting that metabolic abnormalities may be a contributing causative factor in Meniere’s.
Metabolism and Meniere’s: Studies
In a study of Meniere’s patients at the Department of Otolaryngology and Communicative Disorders of the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in 1976,
it was found that there were Carbohydrate abnormalities in some and a significant number of patients were found to have lipid abnormalities. It was suggested that dietary management in these cases was believed to be helpful in the medical management of the patients .
Cambridge University Press published a paper in ‘The Journal of Laryngology & Otology’ in 1979 titled ‘Metabolic Investigations in Meniere’s Disease’.
It stated that both hyper and hypoglycaemia have been said to result in inner ear dysfunction. It was pointed out that diabetes can result in both progressive sensorineural hearing loss and Meniere’s Syndrome.
The authors referenced studies that found 42% of a series of 19 Meniere’s patients were suffering with reactive hypoglycaemia when tested. In this particular test it was suggested that insulin sensitivity, possibly a result of adrenal insufficiency could account for the hypoglycaemia.
It stated that hearing loss can be related to hypothyroidism, Finally it was noted that hearing loss and vertigo may be among the first signs of myxoedema (typical of patients with under active thyroid glands) and are “reversible with treatment.”
Tell that to the doctor ‘treating’ your Meniere’s, the next time you are told there is nothing more to be done and learn to live with it. Although we do not see dietary changes and supplementationas either a treatment nor a cure, the testimonials of multiple thousands who have greatly reduced or eliminated their symptoms this way suggests the body can balance itself out when given the correct fuel.
It is all about bringing balance to your body systems from micro DNA level to macro muscular skeletal level, through cellular nutrition to cervical spine realignments for example. When everything is in sync, disease states are starved and the immune system is functioning enough to deal with any inflammation, preventing dysfunctions, disorders and disease. Some might call this ‘preventative medicine’, I call it good old fashioned common sense.
A study presentation at a Symposium at the 75th Annual Meeting of the American Laryngological, Rhlnological and Otological Society in 1972 stated the following:
Metabolic dysfunction is one of many factors mentioned as a primary or contributing cause of Ménière’s disease.
The symptoms of Ménière’s disease often become manifest during periods of stress. The adrenal pituitary axis plays a vital role in man’s reaction to stress. For this reason, hypoadrenal function was suggested as an etiology in some patients with Ménière’s disease.
In this study two tests were used to measure adreno-cortical reserve: ACTH plasma cortisol stimulation test and insulin stimulation test.
After evaluation of 98 patients with Ménière’s disease, we concluded the following:
1. The five-hour glucose tolerance test is helpful in identifying hypoglycemia, which may be a contributing factor in Ménière’s disease.
2. Non-myxedematous hypothyroidism may play an important role in some patients with Ménière’s disease.
3. Further endocrine studies will be necessary to determine the significance of the lowered adrenocortical reserve as shown by the ACTH plasma cortisol stimulation test.
We have long preached the importance of blood flow at Meniere’s Help and know how managing this through either diet and supplementation and/or spinal manipulation (where necessary) can make a huge difference. The study below backs up the importance of blood flow:
Published in Sage Journals the study ‘Metabolic Management in Menière’s Disease’ stated the following:
Extract: Pollution in the bloodstream by abnormal amounts of metabolites (sugar, insulin, triglycerides and cholesterol) over an extended period of time will have an adverse effect upon the small blood vessels.
If the microcirculation of the inner ear becomes afflicted, it may produce endolymphatic hydrops. Control of blood pollution can usually be achieved by intelligent dietary management.
Fifty consecutive cases of Menière’s disease were studied for abnormal levels of metabolites. Thirty-eight (76 %) of these cases had either an abnormal glucose tolerance test or at least borderline insulin levels: a) abnormal insulin levels, 35 cases; b) borderline insulin values, 3 cases; c) abnormal glucose tolerance with normal insulin values, no cases; d) both normal glucose tolerance and normal insulin production, 12 cases.
The number of studies and papers on this subject are numerous but how do you get metabolic disorders? As discussed in the articles on Thyroid dysfunctions and endocrine disorders at length, there are many toxic chemicals and pollutants found in the environment, water supplies and in foods that can accumulate in the body over a long period of time that can cause these problems.
For a healthy metabolism consider the following:
Use chili peppers in cooking, eat berries, eat more protein and less carbohydrates.
Help other Meniere’s Sufferers. Tell us all about your experiences with Meniere’s and Metabolism. Use the comments box below or email Mike at meniereshelp@gmail.com
What links endocrine disorders to vertigo, dizziness, hearing loss, tinnitus and Meniere’s disease?
The connection between endocrine disorders and Meniere’s Disease has been discussed and studied since late 1950’s and early 60’s. The thyroid is part of the endocrine system and as I pointed out in my recent lengthy article, Thyroid Dysfunction Connections to Meniere’s Disease , according to studies over one 3rd of Meniere’s sufferers have thyroid issues.
Add to this fact that there has been a 600% increase in Meniere’s cases in Fukushima following the disaster at the nuclear power plant in 2011, adrenal and metabolic issues have been linked to Meniere’s and we see a pattern through the endocrine-thyroid-immune system with many cases of Meniere’s.
In addition to this, we have long preached the importance of dietary considerations, nutrition and keeping the immune system strong and healthy in order to stay symptom free, regardless of the particular root cause(s) of the inflammation within the ear (there are several possibilities and every case is different).
By joining the dots, we can see that it is vital to keep everything in balance. For example, adrenal stressors such as stress, allergies, poor nutrition, toxins, lack of sleep, gut irritating foods, some prescription drugs and caffeine have been linked to Meniere’s either as triggers or root causes.
The adrenal glands are part of the endocrine system. Stressed adrenal glands can result in endocrine imbalances, thyroid dysfunction and can possibly ultimately result in the symptoms of Meniere’s Disease. As with all possible root causes of Meniere’s, it can lead to a domino effect and underscores the difficulty for the medical community in pinpointing a definitive cause. That is because there is no one definitive root cause. There are many, but as I point out in the book Managing Meniere’s Disease, that doesn’t mean you can not find yours and eliminate it from your life though.
Studies suggesting links between endocrine disorders and Meniere’s disease
In a 1977 German study published on Pub Med it concluded “This would result in reduced generation of the receptor potentials as well as in decreased activities of the first order afferent neurons as it was supposed earlier by other authors. This mechanism may be combined with a decompensation of active ion transport processes due to microcirculation disturbances. Finally it will be pointed out that true ruptures of the endolymphatic walls cannot be the usual mode of reversible lesions in Menières disease but a diffuse leakage of the perilymph-endolymph barrier.”
Blood flow is also an issue with Meniere’s Disease. Prescription drugs or supplements have been used to treat Meniere’s symptoms by promoting good blood flow. “Microcirculation disturbances” are an issue with Meniere’s.
A study was published in 2011 from The Department of Otolaryngology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan titled “The relevance of hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenocortical axis-related hormones to the cochlear symptoms in Ménière’s disease”.
The study was done to investigate the association of the HPA (hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenocortical) axis-related hormones with the progression of cochlear symptoms in patients with Ménière’s disease.
Their reported conclusion was: “Our results suggest that the cortisol levels influence the endolymphatic homeostasis resulting in a deterioration of hearing at high frequency with upstaging of Ménière’s disease.“
In layman’s terms, the balance of fluids within the endolymphatic system was affected by hormones produced by the adrenal gland and endocrine system.
Why would the endocrine system not function as it should and what can you do about this?
Something that disrupts the endocrine system can affect the adrenal gland, thyroid and metabolism causing all kinds of related health issues that doctors have difficulty finding the root cause of. All of the above have been linked Meniere’s Disease.
Endocrine disruptors are chemicals that throw the endocrine system out of balance and as this system is the main hormone regulator, as stated above this can cause all kinds of knock on effects, dysfunctions and disorders, including ultimately the symptoms of Meniere’s Disease.
Chemicals like BPA and phthalates are surprisingly used all around us in daily life and can infiltrate our body in many unsuspected ways. Most people are completely unaware of the toxins and health damaging chemicals that saturate our environment and directly enter our bodies everyday.
One of the reasons for this is the proliferation of plastics used today. Everything from food containers and drink bottles, to cosmetic and skin care product containers. Plastic is one of the main sources of endocrine disruptors. But it doesn’t stop there. Substances and materials used in paper receipts, tin cans, electronics and even money are common everyday items that contain endocrine disrupting chemicals.
Efforts by the European Union have been made to ban endocrine disruptors in all products but with the power of Billion dollar corporations whose only concern is profit the going is very slow. With the introduction of recent global “trade deals” such as TTP it may become increasingly difficult to control the use of such harmful toxins in our lives.
Endocrine disruptors are commonly found in personal items, medicines, and cleaning products. Things we use to protect ourselves from harm can actually be harming us in different unintended ways. Sunscreen is a classic example.
The reproductive organs are part of the endocrine system. A recent study found a chemical in sunblock has been linked to infertility in men, and another noted that phthalates in toys cause many of the same issues.
Dr Edward Group of the Global Healing Center in Texas explains how endocrine distruptors are such a huge health problem:
“Constant exposure to endocrine disruptors is like putting a drop of water in the gas tank of a car. One drop may not have a major impact, but drip by drip, the car soon breaks down.
Endocrine disruptors do the same thing to the human body. Unlike the car, before the body breaks down its main systems go haywire and present symptoms such as infertility, weight gain, cardiac disease, dementia, and so much more. That’s because hormones from endocrine organs, such as the thyroid, pituitary gland, testes, ovaries, pancreas, adrenal glands, and even the gastrointestinal tract, control every function in the body.”
Endocrine disruptors to avoid:
Organophosphate Pesticides
The overuse of pesticides in modern forced food production is discussed elsewhere on this website. It doesn’t take a genius to put 2 and 2 together to realize that the explosion of degenerative diseases over the past half century or so coincides with the introduction and proliferation of forced farming techniques that have robbed the soils of their mineral content and consequently resulted in the over use of chemical fertilizers and more and more pesticides.
Pesticide residue on vegetables and fruits are one of the most common ways we consume dangerous chemicals. Organophosphate pesticides have been shown to cause infertility in men, slow brain development in children, and have even been shown to affect thyroid function.
The only way to avoid these toxins is to eat organic. If that is impossible then regular detoxing and/or using quality, clean, safe dietary supplementation would seem very wise.
17a-Ethynylestradiol
Estrogen mimickers abound in consumer products these days, causing all kinds of problems but 17a-Ethynylestradiol is a synthetic form of estrogen and the only one that remains active when taken orally. Currently, this synthetic hormone can be found in all forms of oral birth control.
Perhaps its most dangerous side effect is increasing the chances of breast cancer. Even the US government ( not known for over protecting its consumer public much in recent times) has had to acknowledge the dangers of this chemical.
PBDEs
PBDEs are fire retardants used in mattresses and other furniture and household goods. Normally exposure is associated with dust but according to a study published in the USA in 2009 one of the major sources of exposure to PBDEs was red meat and poultry! The study analyzed data from 2004 as part of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)
The study found serum levels of 5 different PBDEs were associated with eating poultry. People who ate more poultry had higher levels of the PBDEs. Poultry fat was the greatest contributor to the body’s burden of PBDEs.
Red meat intake was associated with two of the measured PBDE levels. Seafood and dairy were not associated with any changes in the PBDE levels in serum.
Vegetarians had 23-27 percent less PBDEs circulating in their serum as compared to meat-eaters.
The highest levels of PBDEs were found in males, the youngest age group examined (12-19 yrs old), the poor and the underweight (subjects with lowest BMI).
This study indicates that food is a more important route than previously thought. A number of scientific studies have suggested that PBDE levels in food supplies are rising.
The toxic garbage that ends up on our plate in the form of meat is the subject of a whole book but why is this all significant to the Meniere’s sufferer?
PBDEs, or polybrominated diethyl ethers, disrupt thyroid function by blocking the uptake of iodine, eventually taking its place in the thyroid. Because of this action, they also mimic and disrupt thyroid hormones.
As already stated above, over a 3rd of Meniere’s sufferers have thyroid issues and this may contribute to the root cause. Read about the importance of iodine and thyroid dysfunction connections to Meniere’s Disease here.
Phthalates
Phthalates are chemicals used as plastic additives for durability and flexibility. The negative health effects of these chemicals have been constantly reported in various studies all across the world. They can easily leach into water so people drinking water from pet-bottles are the most susceptible to chronic exposure. Again the proliferation of pet-bottle use for water over the past 30 years can be correlated to the rise in so many serious diseases and health conditions.
These chemicals have been linked to infertility in men, obesity, diabetes, and thyroid conditions. Returning to the old ways of storing foods and liquids in glass whenever possible would seem wise, or choose phthalate-free varieties if possible.
BPA
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a well known health hazard yet they still manage to permeate their way into our food and environment. Its use has continued in plastic bottles, dental sealants, cell phone protectors, water pipes and it even coats store receipts.
This toxin easily leaches from containers and can absorb through the skin on contact; studies have found people who handle receipts have this chemical in their urine just a few hours later. According to government research, 93% of Americans have detectable levels of BPA in their bodies.
Exposure to BPA is a concern because of possible health effects on the brain, behavior and prostate gland of fetuses, infants and children.
First synthesized in 1891, bisphenol A came into use as a synthetic estrogen in the 1930s. Later, chemists discovered that, combined with phosgene (used during World War I as a toxic gas) and other compounds, BPA yielded the clear, polycarbonate plastic of shatter-resistant headlights, eyeglass lenses, DVDs and baby bottles.
BPA is another estrogen mimicer. When it enters the body the endocrine system thinks it is estrogen and this throws hormonal balance out of sync.
Geneticist Patricia Hunt wrote in ‘Scientific America’ in 2008 of her studies into BPA, that with one dose of exposure in lab mice, “We’re actually affecting three generations simultaneously.” She explained, “With hormones (and estrogen mimicers like BPA), she says, high doses can sometimes “shut down” the body’s response, and low doses are enough to exert effects.”
It would seem wise to choose BPA-free storage containers and use glass whenever possible.
Perchlorate
Primarily used in rocket fuel, explosives, fireworks and fertilizers, yet water contains the highest concentrations. According to the Water Research Foundation perchlorate contamination was found in ground water, surface water and drinking water in at least 26 US states as well as Canada. Although at very low levels it can be found naturally occurring, for a number of mainly industrial reasons high levels of contamination have been found everywhere from India to the UK.
Similarly to PBDEs, perchlorate replaces iodine in the thyroid and leads to decreased thyroid activity. Symptoms of decreased thyroid activity include weight gain, poor energy, depression and of course most importantly for readers of this website, decrease thyroid activity is linked to Meniere’s Disease.
The best solution to prevent damage from this endocrine disruptor is to ensure you are getting enough quality iodine on a daily basis and to use a high-quality water filter may also help filter out perchlorate and other contaminants.
Arsenic
This highly toxic element naturally occurs in trace amounts deep within the earth’s crust, but can enter water supplies through mining, industrial practices and agriculture.
The World Health Organization (WHO) clearly states that it is hazardous to human health. Scientific American published an article in 2011 with headlines, ‘Many U.S. Drinking Water Wells Contaminated with Arsenic, Other Elements‘ stating it is a national problem, scattered in every region.
Exposure to arsenic can result in insulin resistance, immune system suppression, slowed cognitive development, cardiovascular damage, and weight gain/loss. The best way to protect against arsenic is to install a water filter, one that specifically contains the ability to remove arsenic.
Perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs)
It’s estimated that 99% of Americans have PFC accumulation in their bodies. PFCs are commonly used to make non-stick pans. During cooking, some of these chemicals escape into your food and have the power to accumulate in your body. Once it’s there, it can be very difficult to remove.
PFCs disrupt hormone function and have been tied to infertility, ineffective sperm, heart disease, thyroid disease, high cholesterol, and low birth-weight in babies. In a study for the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007-2010 it was confirmed PFCs, especially PFOA and PFHxS, negatively affect thyroid hormone levels.
According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry at the CDC, PFCs can among many other things, alter thyroid functions and the immune system. They state that completely preventing exposure to PFCs is unlikely, however, if you live near known sources of PFC contamination, you can take steps to reduce your risk of exposure to PFCs. Minnesota, Michigan, and Alabama have issued advisories cautioning consumers to either stop or limit eating fish from waters contaminated with PFOS or other PFCs.
Avoiding non-stick cookware, checking packaging and clothing labels may help you to avoid PFCs, and a deep and thorough cleansing may be helpful for removing built up levels of PFCs in the body.
Mercury
Mercury toxicity is a well known possible root cause of Meniere’s Disease, usually from leakages in amalgam fillings.
Mercury also attacks the pancreas in the endocrine system, thereby affecting insulin production. It can also result in headaches. Many people with Meniere’s symptoms also suffer from Migraines. High mercury counts have been found in fish in recent years and the type of new CFL light bulbs contain dangerous levels of mercury. In fact, if one of these light bulbs break, it’s recommended you evacuate the area to prevent exposure.
A whole host of health problems can occur from mercury exposure depending on the source, if it is organic mercury, inorganic mercury or elemental and vaporized mercury. Mercury exposure at high levels can harm the brain, heart, kidneys, lungs, the immune system and cause hearing loss.
Mercury is known to be the most poisonous, non-radioactive, naturally occurring substance on our planet and The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that there is no safe level of mercury. Mercury toxicity from amalgam can take a long time to accumulate. It’s a scientific fact that toxic mercury vapor can continually be released from amalgam fillings. 80% of it enters the body and accumulates in it.
Many people have stopped all Meniere’s symptoms after removing amalgam fillings and detoxing. Exposure to mercury in general is known to cause nausea/vomiting, dizziness, ringing in ears, sinusitis, lack of concentration/brain fog, allergies and water retention (edema). All of these are knownMeniere’s symptoms or triggers.
It is also connected to these diseases related to the endocrine system: Hormonal dysfunction, Immune system disorders, Metabolic encephalopathy, Thyroid disease.
Dr Tom McGuire, a “Mercury free’ dentist has campaigned for years for the banning of the practice of using amalgam fillings and written several acclaimed books on the subject, including how to detoxify naturally.
Dioxin
Dioxin is recognized by the US government as an endocrine disruptor, yet the environment continues to be polluted. Research connects dioxin, a by product of many industrial processes, with heart disease, diabetes, reduced fertility, poor sperm activity and low sperm counts.
Meats and other food products which contain animal products provide the majority of exposure to Americans. It accumulates in fat and can remain for years, slowly poisoning us and slowly resulting in disease states.
Alcohol
Even if you never drink, alcohol can still be a relevant endocrine disruptor for you to consider. Alcohol has the power to negatively affect glands associated with the secretion and regulation of hormones, like the pituitary gland, possibly leading to complications with the body’s ability to maintain normal hormonal balance.
The pituitary gland, for example, synthesizes and secretes essential healing and repair hormones, such as human growth hormone (HGH). This gland has been shown to experience noticeable impairment from alcohol exposure.
Insulin, an important hormone that regulates blood sugar, can be severely impacted from prolonged alcohol consumption. Alcohol can also potentially impede the body’s ability to regulate and absorb calcium.
Even if you do not drink, topically applied alcohol can enter your bloodstream. The proliferation of alcohol (ethanol) hand cleansers means that more and more people are exposed to this endocrine disruptor. Consider the rubbing alcohol in your medicine cabinet as another example.
Other common sources include body lotions, cosmetic oils (even baby oils), aftershave, air fresheners, eye makeup, shampoos, insect repellants, hair dyes, dishwasher and laundry detergents, paint, perfumes, deodorants, and cooking oils.
In the case of hand sanitizers, one study that focused on hospital employees found that over 30% exhaled low levels of ethanol just one minute after using hand sanitizer. In one case, a one-month old baby suffering from lethargy was found to be intoxicated from an alcohol-soaked gauze used to treat the umbilical cord.
We already know that alcohol is a massive trigger for Meniere’s attacks so it would be prudent to avoid it completely, at least until you have recovered from Meniere’s.
The best way to minimize exposure is to avoid alcoholic beverages and check the ingredient lists of other products for alcohol, ethanol, ethyl alcohol, ethyl hydrate, ethyl hydroxide, and methylcarbinol. There are plenty of other non-alcoholic options available.
What can you do with so many toxins attacking your endocrine system?
While difficult, it is possible to take steps to avoid endocrine disruptors. If you eat meat or fish, choose organic, free-range, or wild sources. Buy fresh, organic produce as much as possible, and choose glass for food storage. Supplementing with the correct iodine to protect the thyroid can have dramatic results. Regular cleansing to help the liver remove toxin accumulation would also seem prudent given the information above.
Help other Meniere’s sufferers. What are your experiences with Meniere’s and endocrine/thyroid issues? What made it worse and what helped? Tell us all about it in the comments box below or email Mike at meniereshelp@gmail.com
What caused the Massive increase in Meniere’s Disease in Fukushima?
According to a report published in April 2015 by Soma General Hospital and Tohoku University, there was up to a 600% increase in cases of Meniere’s Disease in and around Fukushima, Japan since the nuclear disaster in 2011.
Exposure to radiation causes thyroid gland and bone marrow issues, and therefore a weakened immune system. In addition to this radiation affects the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland is a very important part of the endocrine system and therefore the thyroid. This must be of particular significance to the pathology of Meniere’s in many sufferers around the world.
Why?
Evidence that Meniere’s symptoms can result from thyroid and endocrine dysfunctions?
Studies show that at least 34% of Meniere’s sufferers show signs of Thyroid dysfunction and with the success of dietary improvements and supplementation in reducing or eliminating Meniere’s symptoms by strengthening the immune system, the report from Japan underscores the message Meniere’s Help has been stating for over 12 years. Focusing on the importance of supporting the immune system. Both the immune system and the endocrine system are two vital aspects to human health. Imbalances and disorders can possibly lead to Meniere’s symptoms manifesting.
Similar studies in Chernobyl, following the nuclear disaster there found some equally staggering statistics.
Read why this is a big deal and why it matters to you the suffererhere. A summary of the report:
Soma City is 44 km north of Fukushima Daiichi… almost all patients who require hospitalization for ear, nose, and throat (ENT) care were referred to our department… We thus investigated the influence of the disaster on internal ear diseases.
Regarding the evacuation area, the total number of patients [in the ENT department] increased 4.64 times [364% in 1st year], 4.24 times [324% in 2nd year], and 4.54 times [354% in 3rd year] compared with the number before the disaster.
New patients [with vertigo, Meniere’s disease, and acute low-tone sensorineural hearing loss] in Shinchi Town… increased by 64.3%, 114.3%, and 46.4% [in years 1, 2, and 3] respectively… In the case of Minami-Soma City, except the evacuation area… increased by 84.2%, 152.6%, and 142.1%, respectively… Regarding the evacuation area… the numbers of patients with vertigo, MD, or ALHL became 7 times [600% increase in 1st year], 5 times [400% increase in 2nd year], and 7 times [600% increase in 3rd year].
Although the causes for MD and ALHL are still unknown [the rise] might be due to increased tension and stress… As for the cases [of vertigo] we were unable to establish the neuro-otologic pathogeneses in… 72% [and] there may have been cases of psychogenic dizziness… administration of an anti-vertigenous drug or advice to keep calm and to have a sound mind did not help… There were some difficult cases where ENT treatment alone did not work, presumably because these cases were complicated with some mental diseases… In some serious cases, we… referred the patients to psychiatric care or prescribed psychosomatic medicine. Some patients refused our advice… or to admit that they had a mental problem.
The number of reported cases of heart disease and brain infarction have increased in the devastated area… Diabetes, osteoporosis, and psychiatric illnesses were feared to have worsened… There is a great concern that there will be additional health hazards, and we strongly feel the need for administrative support.
ENT doctors in Japan suggest the massive increase “might” be due to stress. They also suggested the increase in Meniere’s in some case might be due to “mental diseases“.
It is true that stress is a trigger and true that stress is considered by some in Japan as an underlying root cause but the total lack of willingness to look at the clinically proven links of thyroid dysfunction to the onset of Meniere’s and the connections between the immune system and thyroid I find slightly puzzling.
With all that said, we have to accept that there be something lost in translation. Mental diseases, may simply referring stress and anxiety, known triggers and as mentioned above an accepted part of Meniere’s pathoetiology in Japan.
Naturally there were several studies in the psychological effects of the great east Japan earthquake in 2011. I was living in Japan at the time and the anxiety in the air nationwide following the initial quake was palpable.
Constant horrific images playing out on every TV screen, several aftershocks everyday for weeks and the threat of nuclear catastrophe evidently took its toll.
In north eastern Japan where the quake took place, medical studies called the psychological effect on the population there a “mental health crisis”.
So was it stress alone that cause such a huge increase in new Meniere’s cases or a combination of stress and thyroid dysfunction as a result of radiation contamination? As nearly all the studies focused on the psychological aspect, I guess we will never know.
As a side note, the microwave radiation from cell phones has been shown to affect the central nervous system and endocrine system as well as creating oxidative stress; all relative to Meniere’s disease. So excessive use of cell phones and carrying them in pockets next to the body may be unwise.
Help other Meniere’s Sufferers. What are you experiences with Meniere’s and Thyroid. Leave your comments below or email Mike at: meniereshelp@gmail.com
Allergy season both in spring and autumn/fall always means we get a surge in people contacting us for help at this time of year.
Allergy and the symptoms of Meniere’s disease
The sinuses are an important part of the immune system, filtering and draining away unwanted allergens and anything potentially harmful being inhaled. Drugs and chemical sprays, stop the runny noses but dry out the sinus therefore stopping it from functioning as it should. The result being, you feel relief but harmful allergens are allowed past your first line of defense and can potentially accumulate elsewhere, in the lymphatic system for example, causing health problems at a later date.
The endolymphatic sac, the area within the ear that produces all the problems in a Meniere’s sufferer is part of the lymphatic system. The Lymphatic system is like a drainage system for the body.
Prevalence of allergy in Meniere’s disease
The results of a 2000 study states: “Of 734 respondents with Meniere’s disease, 59.2% reported possible airborne allergy, 40.3% had or suspected food allergies, and 37% had had confirmatory skin or in vitro tests for allergy”
How to prevent increases in Meniere’s symptoms during allergy season?
Wearing a dust mask is an obvious answer but even then it might not be enough or not practical for you.
Below you will find some of the best natural solutions to stay symptom free during this very testing time:
1. Steaming
The tried and tested old fashioned way to relieve sinuses while still keeping them moist and functioning as they should. Use hot water in a bowl. Cover your head with a towel and bend over the hot water inhaling the steam or if easier to keep the steam constant, use a steam inhaler. Do at least once a day during the allergy season. We have had many emails from Meniere’s sufferers telling us that this helps a great deal.
2. Look at your diet
Studies show that essential fatty acids coming from organic flax seed or hemp seed oil can help reduce seasonal allergies. Try avoiding mucous and congestion-causing foods such as dairy products, milk, processed wheat and sugar.
A healthy diet will boost your overall immunity to allergies. In fact, a scientific study done on the island of Crete found that nasal allergies were almost non-existent in this region. The reason for this is the islanders’ food intake was composed mainly of cold-pressed olive oil, nuts, fish, fruits and vegetables. This anti-oxidant packed diet was exceptionally high in grapes, tomatoes, oranges, nuts and apples, all foods known to support normal upper respiratory tract health.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention in the US, 29.8 million people were diagnosed with sinusitis in 2010. For a Meniere’s sufferer sinus allergies mean a whole lot more trouble. Try this natural remedy for sinusitis.
3. Try non-toxic, organic bedding
Dr. James R. Haltom from the Mississippi Allergy and Asthma Clinic has stated that the best thing you can do for allergies is to purchase a high-quality, allergy-free cover for the mattress, box springs and pillows. Washing your bedding once a week in very hot water can prevent build-up and help kill off dust mites.
4. Use non-toxic, natural cleaning products
Chemicals and fumes from most cleaning products from the stores have been shown to trigger allergic reactions, especially in the spring when the body’s allergic response is already heightened. Instead, opt for organic cleaning products. They are a safe alternative to cleansers that contain many chemicals that can be toxic to your health.
Studies have shown that 40% of household cleansers sold in stores have been found to be ineffective against germs.
Some ideas:
1. Simmering cloves and cinnamon as an air freshener 2. Baking soda mixed with apple cider is perfect for toilets and tubs 3. Vinegar is safe and effective on counters, floors & windows 4. Baking soda added to your rinse cycle is an effective softener 5. Lavender, thyme and tea tree oils are antiseptic and naturally antibacterial
5. Clean your living space.
If you are a constant sufferer of allergies and they increase your Meniere’s symptoms (as we know they most often do) to eliminate allergy-causing pollen and mites from the air inside your house it might be very wise to invest in a quality air purification system that has UV & negative ion filters. Carpet harbors pet dander, dust and pollen from the outdoors, which can exacerbate allergy symptoms. Surprisingly, studies show that there are actually moreallergy causing dusts and allergens indoors than out. Studies also show that we spend a lot more time indoors than out.
If possible, replace carpet with non-toxic wool, non-toxic hardwood or cork flooring. Also, get rid of the clutter which collects allergens!
Use plants around the house that purify your air naturally. NASA studies recommend that you use one good-sized houseplant in a 6 to 8-inch diameter container for every 100 square feet of your home. (See video below for 8 plants to have in your house that purify the air)
Air purification house plants: video
6. Use a quality organic oregano oil
Although technically not a cure or treatment for allergies, many people do report that the oil of oregano helps them feel better when they’re dealing with the typical symptoms of allergies. Taking this supplement will also reduce the amounts of histamines found in the blood (this is the chemical that causes swelling and allergic reaction, hence anti-histamine drugs used).
7. Check your living space for mold and pollen.
Mold is a huge cause of seasonal allergies and is a known trigger for Meniere’s attacks if not an actual cause in some people. As the rains come down and the heat increases, mold begins to form in the unseen corners of our homes and offices. While there are many ways to get rid of mold, purchasing a high-quality dehumidifier will help prevent mold from forming and will help lessen allergy symptoms.
8. Brush off and/or thoroughly wash clothes after being outside.
After being outside, you are bringing pollen and other allergens into your house all over your clothes. Removing and washing them as soon as you get home will help prevent outdoor pollen from establishing itself in your furniture and bedding. Also, taking a shower as soon as get home will keep pollen from your hair out of your pillow at night
9. Cleanse your Sinuses, lungs and respiratory tract
According to the American College of Allergies, 50% of all illness, is caused or aggravated by indoor air pollution.
Most people actually spend over 90% of their time indoors. Indoor air may have toxic chemical concentrations of up to 100 times higher than outdoor air in addition to mold. All compounding the effects of allergens in pollen season. For the Meniere’s sufferer, the probability of an attack being triggered increases significantly.
Allergen levels in super-insulated homes are 200% higher than in ordinary homes. Over 1,000 types of mold and mildew have been identified in homes located in the United States. According to the EPA, SIX out of TEN homes and buildings are “sick” and hazardous to your health due to airborne pollutants.
A lung cleanse is a natural procedure designed to detoxify, cleanse and refresh the delicate respiratory linings of the bronchial passages and lungs by purging them of built up environmental toxins, harmful organisms and accumulated irritants.
10. Try using a Himalayan Crystal Salt Inhaler
The use of salt as a therapy for respiratory ailments, is nothing new. Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, recommended salt inhalation. He inhaled steam from boiling saltwater. Unlike processed table salt, which can be the root of so many health problems, pure sea salts are rich in minerals. Pure sea salt was once so prized for its health benefits that it was used as a form of money. The term “Salt of the earth” meaning “pure and good” was first used in the Christian bible.
Himalayan crystal salt contains 84 ional minerals and trace elements needed for optimum health.
The salt crystals rest in a chamber inside the inhaler. Breathing through the inhaler draws air across mineral-rich granules of Original Himalayan Crystal Salt. The effects can help to resolve sinus problems, sore throat, or cough. The sinuses are kept moist while allergens are extracted naturally.
Unlike steroid inhalers and pharmaceutical drugs, there are no negative effects from using a Himalayan Salt Inhaler.
Why some supplements may help you reduce your symptoms, while others may harm you
If you have ever searched for supplements to help reduce your Meniere’s symptoms, or for any other reason, you may have read the term ” Not all supplements are created equal”.
In recent years the focus of Menieres-Help.Com has been very much on identifying the root causes of Meniere’s symptoms and eliminating those causes and hopefully the symptoms from the sufferers life
We have always concentrated on triggers but in the formative years of this site being active we spread the word as much as we could about the concept of the right nutrition enabling sufferers to live free from symptoms and live a healthy normal life. This involves possible changes in diet, lifestyle and supplementing with quality nutriceuticals.
We have always put large emphasis on the word “quality” for good reason. Over a decade ago when we first started spreading the word about the supplements we use there was a lot substandard supplement products on the shelves of so called health food stores, supermarkets, high street pharmacies and spread all over the internet. You have to say it has gotten worse these days.
The US market is being flooded with supplements made in China that may have, shall we say, some ‘dubious’ ingredients.
That is not say China is any worse than the US, UK or other western countries. In fact there has always been a proliferation of these products that belong in the garbage can rather than in our stomachs. It is just now its even worse.
Moreover there are now reports of illegal copies of quality brands being shipped in from China and being sold online.
There are some fantastic products and brands out there but there are a whole lot more that are, ‘questionable’ to say the very least.
Way back in 2004 I checked the index chart results of independent quality testing for over a thousand products in the US, UK and Canada. In an index score of 300, most high street brands scores were pitifully low. One of the most popular brands in the UK at the time scored just 15 (out of 300!!) Another brand that most people would trust from the name alone scored a pitiful 5!!
The supplements we have been using with such success for over a decade scored the maximum 300. If you think about this, it make perfect sense why the results people get when using supplementation is so varied. In terms of controlling Meniere’s symptoms, some see no improvement at all, some see partial improvement while others live completely free of their symptoms. It simply depends on what you use and the quality of what you use. Indeed, all supplements are NOT created equal.
The tests mentioned above were done by ‘Nutrisearch’ and published in their Comparative Guide Nutritional Supplements. The most recent edition was published in 2017: NutriSearch Comparative Guide to Nutritional Supplements for the Americas (English). Not only do they publish their results but also give a thorough explanation of the importance of diet and nutrition to health and explain the relationship of oxidative stress and inflammation with the onset of disease and how what you eat and supplement with can prevent this.
For the 2015 edition their summary is as follows:
“The central roles of oxidative stress and inflammation in the onset of chronic degenerative disease are explained. The preventive roles of dietary antioxidants are discussed. The fundamental question of why we need to supplement is answered. The importance of supplementation with two ancient antioxidants, vitamin D and iodine, is highlighted.”
Why not all supplements are created equal
According to Dr Edward Group of the Global Healing Center in Texas,
“What people are not aware of is all vitamins are not created equal, and most are actually synthetic.“
He goes on to say,
“A healthy, organic diet should provide a good amount of nutrients that the body needs, but supplements can help ensure that we are getting a healthy serving of specific vitamins.
The problem is that many vitamin and mineral supplements are manufactured synthetically with chemicals and do not come straight from their natural sources. They are made to mimic the way natural vitamins act in our bodies. Natural vitamins are derived directly from plant material containing the vitamin, not produced in a test tube.
Many synthetic vitamins lack the transporters and co-factors associated with naturally occurring vitamins because they have been “isolated.” The Organic Consumers Association emphasizes that isolated vitamins cannot be used or recognized by the body in the same way as the natural version.
The natural form come in packages with other vitamins, enzymes and minerals that control the way the body recognizes, metabolizes and uses them to make what it needs.
Isolated vitamins can’t always be used by the body, and are either stored until you obtain or create the nutrients required to use them effectively or are excreted. Synthetic vitamins are also devoid of necessary trace minerals and must use the body’s own mineral reserves which may lead to dangerous mineral deficiencies.”
It is believed that today more than 95% of all the vitamin supplements sold are synthetic. When genuine quality supplements can do so much good, this proliferation both gives the concept of supplementation a bad name and puts many people off the idea due to poor results and bad press.
Synthetic vitamins contain chemical compounds that were not meant for human consumption and do not occur in nature.
Dr Group says,
“Fat soluble vitamins in their synthetic form are especially dangerous because they can build up in your fatty tissues and cause toxicity. The reason that the synthetic form is more dangerous is because you get a high, concentrated serving of the vitamin rather than the amount that you would get from a food-based form.”
Vitamins A, D, E and K are all fat soluble
Fat soluble vitamins are found naturally in butter, fish oils, nuts, and green leafy vegetables
Excesses of fat soluble vitamins are stored in the liver and fatty tissues
Most people do not get sufficient amounts of fat soluble vitamins from their diet
Supplement manufacturing does not come under the same strict regulations as pharmaceuticals so there is a lot of room to fool the consumer with misleading labels and ingredient lists.
The label may state “natural” but in fact this is often not the case. The vitamins only have to be 10% natural for the manufacturer to able to label their product “natural”, meaning 90% of what you are consuming may be actually synthetic!
Dr Group insists that most Vitamin C and B Vitamin supplements are synthetic.
Organic Consumers Association – Natural Vs Synthetic vitamins
The Organic Consumers Association published an ingredient chart to help consumers identify natural vs. synthetic vitamins. Check the labels when you buy and avoid these synthetic versions.
Vitamin E: dl-alpha tocopherol, dl-alpha tocopherol acetate or succinate
Note that the “dl” form of any vitamin is synthetic.
When you wonder about the huge disparity in the prices of some supplements. Supplements with all natural ingredients are produced by manufacturers who take great care in the process in which they extract nutrients and put the the supplements together. A few of the best companies choose to be regulated to pharmaceutical standards to ensure consumer confidence in the safety, potency and quality of their supplements.
Cheaper brands often have either useless or harmful fillers and binders in them. The consumer believes they are supporting or boosting their immune system and general health but in fact may be consuming toxic materials instead.
Avoid supplements with these toxic ingredients:
Magnesium stearate (or stearic acid)
Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) disguised as “natural flavors”
Carnauba wax is used in car wax and shoe polish
Titanium dioxide is a carcinogen
On the one hand this information makes you realize why some people do not trust supplements and on the other makes me wonder how many people have tried cheap substandard brands and either gotten more sick or had no benefit whatsoever.
In both cases people have lost the opportunity to truly support their immune system adequately to enable it to deal with the inflammation causing their symptoms. They will have wasted time and money and ended up dismissing the very notion that nutrition actually matters so much. More importantly they will have continued to suffer needlessly.
I find this very frustrating and sad.
At the end of the day, although there are other important aspect to reducing your symptoms, the quality of supplements you might use, not only matters but can be vital in managing your Meniere’s symptoms and your general health.
What is your experience with supplementation and Meniere’s – good or bad? Tell us all about it in the comments box below or email Mike at meniereshelp@gmail.com
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