Certain fruits, such as blueberries and pears, contain hydroquinone which minimizes melanin production. So, make sure you do not add fruits, such as blueberries and pears, to your vitiligo diet as they may make your white skin patches whiter and aggravate the condition.
Skin specialists suggested recommend a healthy diet for boosting the immune system. It is believed that vitiligo is an autoimmune disease, and a strong immune system can prevent the spread of the depigmentation. Fruits – Fig, apricot, and ripe mango.
Antioxidant-rich foods may help prevent cellular damage and limit inflammation. Fruits, such as raspberries and strawberries, and vegetables, such as kale and spinach, are particularly rich sources of antioxidants.
Mango, cashew, pistaschio, oak, cassava, areca nut, red chillies, cherry, raspberry, cranberry, blackberry and tea contain naturally occurring plant phenol and polyphenolic compounds (tannins), which may aggravate vitiligo by the mechanism outlined above.
Foods rich in omega 3 fatty acids such as almond, walnuts, avocado and fatty fish forms a vital part of the vitiligo diet as it is known to improve blood circulation, prevent inflammation and trigger the immune system.
Foods high in Vitamin C
Along with zinc, Vitamin C too is important for the treatment of vitiligo. Vitamin C deficiency is common with many patients suffering with vitiligo. Citrus fruits like orange, lemons and grapefruits contain Vitamin C. Vitamin C is also found in strawberries, kiwi, bell peppers and broccoli.
Avoid sour food
The sourness of the food may potentially inhibit the production of melanin due to its acidic nature. Patients with vitiligo are suggested to refrain from eating citrus fruits, sour yogurt, sour pickles, and other sour foods. However, ripe fruits that are rich in vitamin C may be consumed.
According to Healthline, foods like bananas, apples, radish, carrots, chickpeas, figs and dates can be helpful in preventing vitiligo. People with celiac disease who eat gluten-free diet can benefit from it and reduce the symptoms of vitiligo.
Nuts and seeds are rich in antioxidants, healthy fats, and other nutrients. Some of the best nuts and seeds for people with vitiligo include almonds, walnuts, chia seeds, and flaxseeds.
It is also advised to avoid milk and milk products to some extent as milk protein may reduce the re-pigmentation cycle. Black/Red gram or Desi-chana (Chickpeas), Black dates, Red Radish, Beetroot and Carrot are helpful in Vitiligo and considered as Vitiligo diet.
Natural sources of foods rich in carotenes which give apricots, melon, pumpkin, butternut squash, carrots tomatoes sweet potatoes, papaya, red and yellow peppers and mango their orange pigment, have been especially beneficial in vitiligo.
If you are vegetarian, then consume chickpeas, mushrooms, kidney beans and lentils to have protein. Dairy: Dairy products need to be consumed in this situation regularly. Whole grain: Foods like oats, brown rice, white rice, couscous, corn, quinoa is very healthy for vitiligo patients.
A non-vegetarian diet, including meat, eggs, and dairy products, is a good source of Vitamin B12. The normal B12 consumption is 2.4 μg per day. Only fifty to sixty percent is absorbed [16,17]. Vitamin B12 has been shown to be useful for repigmentation in patients suffering from vitiligo.
Which Vitiligo Diet can help in Control & Spread of Vitiligo ? There are several food items which helps in vitiligo spreading control. Beetroot & carrot are some of them. These helps in melanin binding & helps in stoppage of vitiligo.
We analyzed the mechanism of this folk prescription for vitiligo, concluding that the success of the self-treatment may be mainly associated with hydrogen sulfide (H2S). The antibacterial activity of pentathionic acid (H2S5O6) and the antioxidant activity of cucumber might also play a role in the treatment.
Avoid junk foods: Studies have shown that children who have a habit of eating a lot of junk are at a high risk of developing vitiligo. Also a lot of intake of chocolates, cheese, and coffee is also not good for patients with vitiligo.
Green tea is the go-to beverage when it comes to detoxifying the body and enhancing immunity. Surprisingly, it is used by Vitiligo patients too for treating their symptoms. This is based on facts and studies have confirmed that green tea is indeed beneficial for treatment of Vitiligo.
Protect your skin from the sun.
A bad sunburn can worsen vitiligo. If you have a lighter skin tone, there's another advantage to protecting your skin from the sun. Without a tan, the lighter spots and patches are often less noticeable.
Diet Plan to Prevent Vitiligo
Few foods that are helpful to people with vitiligo are: Leafy greens like kale or romaine lettuce.
Supplements that aid in re-pigmentation in vitiligo patients are also available. These supplements include Vitamin C and E, polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-3), ginkgo bilbo, and alpha-lipoic acid.
Vitamin D is probably the most common, because many of us are deficient in this vitamin, and vitiligo patients may be more so because of their need to avoid the sun to prevent burning of their sensitive white spots.
Studies suggest that vitamin D3 increases tyrosinase activity and melanogenesis in vitro [12], which may lead to repigmentation in vitiligo skin lesions. Calcipotriol and tacalcitol, which are vitamin D analogs, are also known to induce repigmentation in patients with vitiligo [13,14].
Topical steroids. Topical steroids come as a cream or ointment you apply to your skin. They can sometimes stop the spread of the white patches and may restore some of your original skin colour.
A study by Irshad et al. showed that depigmented skin in vitiligo showed partial repigmentation after 4 months of natural herbal treatment using honey [26]. Honey contains molecules such as proteins, fats, carbohydrates, polyphenols, and vitamin C. Contents of honey have been shown to accelerate pigmentation [27].