Vitamins and Minerals For Ear Infection Cure

Ear Infection Cure - Vitamins and Minerals

One of the fastest ear infection cures is to add some supplementary nutrients into your diet. Vitamins and minerals can help boost your immunity, relieve your symptoms and stop an infection from recurring. I give all my patients with ear problems vitamins and minerals with good results.

Here's a summary of the nutrients that I use with my patients:

Ear Infection Cure 1: Vitamin C

I recommend my adult patients start on at least 3000 - 5000 mg of vitamin C a day to fight off infection. In young children (less than 2 years old) 1000 mg a day will suffice. For older children about 2000 mg works well.

Everyones requirements for vitamin C are unique so I suggest you start taking 500 mg of vitamin C every hour until your stools become a little watery or loose. When your stools become loose it means that your body is saturated with vitamin C. Any excess is excreted in the urine and stools. This point is called "Bowel tolerance" and is when vitamin C is helping your immune system most efficiently.

Going to just below your bowel tolerance every day should be adhered to until the infection is cleared from your body. Depending on the severity of the infection, this can take anywhere from a couple of days to a week or more. If your vitamin C intake is too low, you may not see improvements in your symptoms.

Ear Infection Cure 2: Zinc

Zinc stimulates your white blood cells and antibody production to fight off infections. This mineral is also a powerful anti-inflammatory that helps relieve the pain of sore ears, inflamed throat and swollen glands that are often present with ear problems.

For adults I suggest you start with 60 - 90 mg of elemental zinc a day. For young children I use 30 mg a day, for older kids 60 mg a day. If you also have a sore throat then dissolve a zinc lozenge in your mouth. A sore throat clears up faster when it has direct contact with zinc

Ear Infection Cure 3: Vitamin A

Vitamin A and its precursor beta-carotene enhance immunity. Vitamin A has been shown to lower the rate of infections.

For immune support, I recommend 10,000 IU of vitamin A or 15 mg of beta-carotene a day. For young children about 2500 IU a day, and for older children 5000 IU a day of vitamin A is sufficient.

Vitamin A should not be taken in large amounts by pregnant women as higher amounts are linked to an increased risk of birth defects.

Other nutrients 

Optional but recommended nutrients I also dispense to my patients are vitamin E, selenium and the B complex.

Ear Infection Cure 4: Vitamin E

Vitamin E helps immune function and is a powerful antioxidant. It is beneficial against both bacteria and viruses. I suggest at least 200 mg a day. If you have high blood pressure, check with your doctor first.

Ear Infection Cure 5: Selenium

Selenium is great to take alongside vitamin E, as they enhance each others absorption. It is a good immune booster. For adults take at 100 mg a day.

Ear Infection Cure 6: B complex

To help repair nerves in the ears a balanced B complex is advisable. The B vitamins also help you cope with stress and fatigue. A 25 - 50 mg B complex daily is a good start.

Vitamins and minerals are a natural ear infection cure which can help boost your immunity and fight off infection. The right amounts of nutrients for you will vary according to your age, the severity of your illness and how much food you're eating. It is advisable to consult with a holistic doctor or naturopath to ascertain the correct dosages or refer to the e-book Nature's Amazing Ear Infection Cures by qualified naturopath Elizabeth Noble