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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Drink papaya juice regularly to replenish the body of melanin cells lost due to vitiligo. Red clay is an affective treatment of vitiligo. Red clay is rich in copper content. Add a tablespoon of ginger juice to two tablespoons of red clay.
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.
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.
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.
Avoid inflammatory foods for vitiligo.
Sugary drinks. Trans fats, found in fried foods. White bread. White pasta.
Citrus fruits as oranges, items made of Citrus fruits , juices , lemon, curd, Raw Tomato, Raw garlic, Raw Onion, Tamarind, Brinjal, Pickles, Papaya, Grapes, Green chili, Pomegranate are strictly restricted. Fish, Red Meat is also restricted.
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.
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.
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. Processed foods should be avoided as much as possible.
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.
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.
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.
Conclusions: Addition of topical olive oil to NB-UVB for segmental vitiligo patients showed earlier occurrence of repigmentation and better pigmentation pattern.
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.
Foods to Include in a Diet for Vitiligo
Some of the best fruits and vegetables for people with vitiligo include dark leafy greens, berries, citrus fruits, and sweet potatoes.
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.