from journal PLOS Biology
Age-related hearing loss is associated with a decrease of cholesterol in the inner ear. In saying that, Brazilian researchers showed that supplements containing plant-based phytosterols were able to act in place of the lost cholesterol in laboratory animals—and partially recover their hearing loss. Although more research is needed, the study in the journal PLOS Biology, suggests that in addition to hearing defects caused by cholesterol loss in sensory cells of the inner ear, that loss can be partially reversed by supplements of over-the-counter phytosterols. The authors say their finding is the first proof of the principle supporting phytosterols as a possible prevention or treatment of this type of hearing loss.