Vertigo Diet

Vertigo is a sensation of spinning, dizziness and unsteadiness that occurs when the bodys equilibrium is disturbed. According to HearingCentral.com, the cause of all vertigo stems from dysfunction in the semicircular canals of the ears. This dysfunction may be caused by a variety of conditions, including ear infection, trauma, motion sickness, diabetes, anemia and various other disorders. Vertigo has also been associated with high cholesterol and high blood sugar, so dietary changes may be necessary to treat and prevent vertigo.

Low Cholesterol DIet

Cholesterol is a soft, waxy substance that travels through the bloodstream and all the body's cells. Although cholesterol serves a variety of important functions in the body, excessive amounts of cholesterol can be extremely dangerous. Fortunately, a few specific dietary changes can help keep cholesterol levels low. The Mayo Clinic published a list of the top five foods that can help lower cholesterol levels in the body. These foods include: foods high in soluble fiber, such as oatmeal, apples, pears, prunes and kidney beans; walnuts and almonds; foods high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as albacore tuna, salmon, sardines and canola oil; olive oil; and foods fortified with plant sterols or stanols, which help block cholesterol absorption. In addition to adding these foods to your daily diet, it is also important to reduce the amount of saturated fats and trans fats you consume. These types of fats are commonly found in meats, oils, fast foods and processed foods.

Limited Sugar Diet

To lower the level of blood sugar in your body, it is important to cut out as many simple carbohydrates and simple sugars as possible from your diet. The following foods should be significantly reduced or eliminated from your diet: fruit juice, candy, pasta or bread made with white flour, soda, candy, sugary cereals and table sugar. Instead, opt for complex carbohydrates, which stabilize the bodys blood sugar levels. Complex carbohydrates include: barley, brown and wild rice, whole-grain bread, soy beans, vegetables and fruits.

Migraine-Associated Vertigo

Another type of vertigo sometimes occurs in association with migraine headaches; this symptom is called migraine-associated vertigo. Unlike normal forms of vertigo, this type always occurs in conjunction with a severe migraine. Unfortunately, as of 2010, the cause of migraine-associated vertigo is still unknown. However, certain dietary changes can be used to treat this form of vertigo. In most cases, patients are asked to abstain from chocolate, cheese, foods with MSG and alcohol.