From the Guidelines
A low-salt diet is a crucial component in managing Meniere's disease, and patients should limit their sodium intake to 1,500-2,300 mg per day, as recommended by the American Heart Association 1. This approach helps reduce fluid retention in the inner ear, which is essential in alleviating symptoms such as vertigo, hearing loss, tinnitus, and fullness in the ear. The mechanism behind this dietary change is that excess sodium causes the body to retain fluid, increasing endolymph fluid in the inner ear, which disrupts balance and hearing functions in Meniere's disease. To implement a low-salt diet, patients should:
- Avoid processed foods, canned soups, fast food, and salty snacks
- Read nutrition labels carefully
- Use herbs and spices instead of salt for flavoring
- Drink plenty of water to maintain proper hydration This dietary approach is often combined with diuretic medications like hydrochlorothiazide or triamterene to further reduce fluid retention. Most patients notice improvement in vertigo episodes and other symptoms within several weeks of consistent sodium restriction, though hearing fluctuations may take longer to stabilize 1. It is essential for patients to work with their healthcare provider to develop a personalized plan that incorporates dietary changes, lifestyle modifications, and medical treatments to manage their Meniere's disease effectively. Additionally, patients can benefit from keeping a food and activity diary to identify triggers, managing stress, getting adequate sleep and exercise, and joining a support group to cope with the condition 1.
From the Research
Mechanism of Low Salt Diet in Meniere's Disease
- A low-salt diet is thought to increase plasma aldosterone concentration, which may increase endolymph absorption in the endolymphatic sac 2
- The increase in aldosterone concentration may activate ion transport and absorbing endolymph in the endolymphatic sac, leading to an improvement in symptoms 2
- A low-sodium diet with adequate water intake has been shown to improve clinical efficacy in Meniere's disease, with better improvements in hearing, vertigo, and tinnitus compared to routine medication therapy alone 3
Effects of Low Salt Diet on Meniere's Disease Symptoms
- A low-salt diet has been shown to be effective in controlling vertiginous states, with complete control achieved in patients with a mean urinary sodium excretion amount lower than 3g/day 2
- Hearing improvements have also been observed in patients following a low-salt diet, with significant improvements in hearing after 2 years 2
- Tinnitus and vertigo symptoms have also been shown to improve with a low-sodium diet and adequate water intake 3
Comparison with Other Studies
- While some studies have suggested a positive effect of dietary restrictions, including low salt diet, on Meniere's disease symptoms, there is currently no uniform consensus on their usefulness 4, 5
- A systematic review of dietary restriction of salt, caffeine, and alcohol intake in patients with Meniere's disease or syndrome found no evidence from randomized controlled trials to support or refute this intervention 5
- However, recent studies have provided evidence for the effectiveness of a low-sodium diet with adequate water intake in improving clinical efficacy in Meniere's disease 3