What foods should I avoid if I have vitiligo? If you know you have vitiligo, there is some anecdotal evidence that supports cutting out certain foods in order to avoid vitiligo spreading. While everyone's skin is unique and different, some of the reported foods to avoid include: Blueberries.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Certain components of hair dye, bleaching agents, and skin-care products can set off a vitiligo flare. Marmon advises choosing products labeled hypoallergenic that are free of harsh chemicals, fragrances, and irritants.
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.
Some food items like juicy fruits rich in vitamin C or ascorbic acid such as oranges and lemon, other fermented food items as curd, alcohol, Fish, red meat are to be avoided as they have harmful effect on vitiligo and can give rise to spreading of patches.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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].
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].
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.
The positive effect of fish oil on skin diseases such as vitiligo was indicated in another study in India (48). One reason that fish oil affects the skin diseases is the presence of omega-3 fatty acids that can prevent drying and scaling of skin in eczema, acne, and other skin diseases.
This imbalance can worsen your symptoms. There are certain vegetables, called Nightshades, that cause inflammation, and have been known to cause Vitiligo. Some of these nightshades that you should avoid is: tomatoes, white eggplant, paprika, potatoes and tobacco.
Vitiligo is a common pigmentary disorder caused by the destruction of functional melanocytes. Vitamin D is an essential hormone synthesized in the skin and is responsible for skin pigmentation. Low levels of vitamin D have been observed in vitiligo patients and in patients with other autoimmune diseases.
Diet Plan to Prevent Vitiligo
Few foods that are helpful to people with vitiligo are: Leafy greens like kale or romaine lettuce.
Vitamin B12 and Folic Acid
This is why it is always recommended to take these two vitamins together in order to treat vitiligo. According to some scientific studies, a combination of vitamin B12 and folic acid supplementation and sun exposure is a good strategy to regain natural skin color.