Lipoflavonoid®, also written as Lipo-Flavonoid®, is a supplement that can treat tinnitus, a condition that causes a constant ringing in the ear. It is a cocktail of various vitamins that can boost circulation in the inner ear. In the United States, the supplement is not endorsed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of tinnitus, because too few clinical studies have investigated the supplement’s effectiveness. It is an over-the-counter product and thus does not require a prescription.
The medical cause of tinnitus is unknown, but researchers believe it is because of damage to or loss of hair cells within the spiral-shaped cochlea that is the auditory part of the inner ear. The hair cells react to sounds and transmit them to the brain to be processed. If the hair cells are damaged, one can lose all hearing, or, in the case of tinnitus, can be plagued by constant sounds. As of 2010, there was no truly effective treatment of the condition.
Tinnitus, which affects more than 50 million people, can be brought on by several factors. The most common is direct damage to delicate cells in the inner ear because of loud noises, such as gunfire or explosions. Many of those cells are not able to heal fully, leaving the person who has noise-induced injury permanently damaged, even with treatment. One also can develop tinnitus as a natural byproduct of aging.
Another way someone may develop tinnitus is as a complication of Ménière’s disease. It is a disorder of the inner ear that causes vertigo, progressive hearing loss and tinnitus. It is thought that Ménière’s is caused by a lack of fluid flow in the inner ear. Lipoflavonoid® has been shown to reduce the effects of tinnitus because it can increase the flow of liquid in the ear.
Ménière’s causes a buildup of excess fluid. The fluid can get into regions of the ear where it is not supposed to be, causing damage. By using Lipoflavonoid®, it is thought that the fluid can be directed and circulated along the correct path, easing the symptoms of Ménière’s, including tinnitus.
Lipoflavonoid® contains many vitamins, including vitamin C and a range of vitamin B, all of which have recommended daily intake values by the FDA. For example, the vitamin C content of a dose of Lipoflavonoid® is 300 milligrams, which is five times the recommended daily intake value. Lipoflavonoid® was developed in 1961 by DSE Healthcare Solutions LLC.