Make sure a major bulk of your diet consists of these vegetables, as long as you do not find it difficult to digest them. Protein – In case you yearn for animal products, opt for chicken breast, lean cuts of turkey, wild fish, and organic eggs. It is good to cook them lightly.
Vitiliogo: Foods to Avoid
Certain meats can act as a foreign body for the pigment producing melanocyte cells and disturb their re-pigmentation process as well. Avoid over consumption of meats and milk as milk protein disrupts the re-pigmentation cycle which is important for vitiligo prevention.
Lactoferrin, an iron-binding glycoprotein found in whey, is a non-enzymatic antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. A mouse study revealed the ability of lactoferrin to downregulate levels of TNF-α and IL-6, which are supposed to be involved in the pathogenesis of vitiligo.
Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease, in which the immune system goes into overdrive and kills pigment cells, which give skin its color. Previous studies have found that a protein called HSP70i plays a vital role in the autoimmune response that causes vitiligo.
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.
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.
Make sure a major bulk of your diet consists of these vegetables, as long as you do not find it difficult to digest them. Protein – In case you yearn for animal products, opt for chicken breast, lean cuts of turkey, wild fish, and organic eggs. It is good to cook them lightly.
As a result, this healthy diet will increase the immunity system, which in return can fight the problem. Vegetables: Spinach, beetroot, carrot, potato, cabbage, radish, cauliflower, red chilli, bitter gourd, green beans etc. are very beneficial.
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.
However, some tried diets that contain nutrient-dense foods can help prevent vitiligo symptoms. Bananas, apples, leafy greens like kale or lettuce, chickpeas, root vegetables like beetroot, carrot and radish, figs, and dates are all good options.
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.
Black/Red gram or Desi-chana (Chickpeas), Black dates, Red Radish, Beetroot and Carrot are helpful in Vitiligo and considered as Vitiligo diet. These are seen helpful in pigmentation process and helpful in coverage of white patches.
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.
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.
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.
Consume grains and foods like brown rice, whole-wheat pasta, oats, and quinoa. Protein: The best protein sources are lean cuts of meat, including skinless chicken and turkey, eggs, and legumes such as lentils, peas, and beans.
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.
Have food high In Zinc. Increase your intake of foods, which are rich in zinc, when you are suffering from vitiligo. An increase in the levels of zinc in your body can help cure vitiligo to a great extent. Also, you can add nuts, beans, and dairy foods to your regular diet to boost the levels of zinc in your body.
Present findings proved that purified tyrosinase possesses a skin darkening potential and could be used as a safe melanogenic agent for the treatment of hypopigmentation disorders or vitiligo.
Based on the theory that the formation of free radicals could be related to skin depigmentation, the antioxidant property of coffee can be considered a factor that justifies its effect in the treatment of vitiligo.
A diet for vitiligo should also include foods high in Omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish, nuts, and seeds, as these have anti-inflammatory properties which can reduce the inflammation that contributes to the development of vitiligo.
To the best of our knowledge, vitamin D significantly affects melanocytes and keratinocytes. Studies suggest that vitamin D3 increases tyrosinase activity and melanogenesis in vitro [12], which may lead to repigmentation in vitiligo skin lesions.
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.
Light therapy.
Phototherapy with narrow band ultraviolet B (UVB) has been shown to stop or slow the progression of active vitiligo. It might be more effective when used with corticosteroids or calcineurin inhibitors. You'll need therapy two to three times a week.