Lipo-Flavonoid Plus

MEDWATCH

_ Product: Lipo-Flavonoid Plus, 100 caplets, $29.95 at CVS and Walgreens.

_ Key ingredients: eriodictyol glycoside, bioflavonoids, vitamin B6 and B12 (B complex), vitamin C, niacin, riboflavin, thiamine, choline, inositol and panthothenic acid.

_ The pitch: Relieves symptoms of Meniere’s disease, which includes ringing in the ears (tinnitus), dizziness and loss of hearing.

_ How it works: One theory is that eriodictyol glycoside acts as an antihistamine, improving circulation in the inner ear.

_ Pros: A 1963 study in Otology, Rhinology and Laryngology found that eriodictyol glycoside improved hearing and relief of vertigo in some patients with Meniere’s disease. A 1993 study in the American Journal of Otolaryngology reported that tinnitus patients improved when given vitamin B12.

_ Cons: There are no studies published in scientific journals specifically on Lipo-Flavonoid. It’s a supplement so the Food and Drug Administration hasn’t approved it for treating symptoms of Meniere’s disease. A 1966 study at the Audiology Center of Walter Reed Hospital concluded that lemon bioflavonoid does not help people with hearing loss due to aging and noise. There is no known proven method for curing or treating tinnitus, according to the nonprofit American Tinnitus Association. The product warns it may take months to work.

_Bottom Line: While unproven, this may be helpful for those who suffer tinnitus due to fluid build-up, but people should consult a doctor for an accurate diagnosis, ruling out other causes. Alternative, cheaper treatments include salt restrictions and diuretics.

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