Vitiligo is a genetic, autoimmune skin disorder in which a loss of skin
pigmentation results in white patches on various parts of the body. Current
treatments are aimed at stopping or slowing the progression of lost pigment.
Manipulating one's diet may be helpful in managing certain skin conditions, such
as vitiligo.
Many vitiligo patients ask is whether their diet makes any difference to their skin condition.
Current research suggests that changing the food you eat is not going to cure your vitiligo. However, this may well help if you are not eating a healthy, varied, balanced diet at the moment. You need to eat plenty of fruit and vegetables (at least five servings per day), as well as a variety of starchy foods and proteins. Try to cut down on fatty, rich foods and processed foods, which have fewer nutrients. A healthy diet, including drinking plenty of water, is good for you generally, not just your skin!
Such a diet is needed to give you a good supply of the nutrients which promote healthy skin and are involved in the pigmentation process:
Vitamin B12 and Folic Acid
Vitamin C
Vitamin D
Beta carotene
Minerals (copper, iron and zinc)
Unfortunately there are no known particular foods which will cure vitiligo and there are none which will make it worse either. It will not help to avoid particular food groups. It is not true (as has been suggested in some cultures) that avoiding white foods can lead to an improvement in vitiligo. White foods include dairy products, which are a good source of calcium, particularly important for young children to develop strong bones and teeth. The body is complex, requiring a wide, balanced range of nutrients to maintain it in a healthy state. These nutrients need each other to function effectively. This is why picking out one type of food, vitamin or mineral to take as a supplement is not usually helpful.
Individuals with malfunctioning stomachs do not absorb vitamin B12 and folic acid very well. This may be part of the reason why these nutrients, along with vitamin C, are often successfully used as part of a vitiligo repigmentation program. I usually recommend folic acid, 5 milligrams along with vitamin C, 1000 milligrams, twice daily. For the best chance of success, the vitamin B12 should be given by injection, 1000 micrograms weekly. Since vitamin B12'S usually safe, I recommend learning self-injection both for convenience and to control costs. Several months are usually required before early repigmentation is seen. If you need to locate a physician who can help you with necessary prescriptions, you might call the American College of Advancement in Medicine, I'll give you their number later in this brief.
Melanin, the normal body pigment, is synthesized from the essential amino acid L-phenylalanine by an enzyme system dependent on copper, vitamin B6, vitamin C. That's why these nutrients are all part of vitiligo repigmentation programs, also.
Many vitiligo patients ask is whether their diet makes any difference to their skin condition.
Current research suggests that changing the food you eat is not going to cure your vitiligo. However, this may well help if you are not eating a healthy, varied, balanced diet at the moment. You need to eat plenty of fruit and vegetables (at least five servings per day), as well as a variety of starchy foods and proteins. Try to cut down on fatty, rich foods and processed foods, which have fewer nutrients. A healthy diet, including drinking plenty of water, is good for you generally, not just your skin!
Such a diet is needed to give you a good supply of the nutrients which promote healthy skin and are involved in the pigmentation process:
Vitamin B12 and Folic Acid
Vitamin C
Vitamin D
Beta carotene
Minerals (copper, iron and zinc)
Unfortunately there are no known particular foods which will cure vitiligo and there are none which will make it worse either. It will not help to avoid particular food groups. It is not true (as has been suggested in some cultures) that avoiding white foods can lead to an improvement in vitiligo. White foods include dairy products, which are a good source of calcium, particularly important for young children to develop strong bones and teeth. The body is complex, requiring a wide, balanced range of nutrients to maintain it in a healthy state. These nutrients need each other to function effectively. This is why picking out one type of food, vitamin or mineral to take as a supplement is not usually helpful.
Individuals with malfunctioning stomachs do not absorb vitamin B12 and folic acid very well. This may be part of the reason why these nutrients, along with vitamin C, are often successfully used as part of a vitiligo repigmentation program. I usually recommend folic acid, 5 milligrams along with vitamin C, 1000 milligrams, twice daily. For the best chance of success, the vitamin B12 should be given by injection, 1000 micrograms weekly. Since vitamin B12'S usually safe, I recommend learning self-injection both for convenience and to control costs. Several months are usually required before early repigmentation is seen. If you need to locate a physician who can help you with necessary prescriptions, you might call the American College of Advancement in Medicine, I'll give you their number later in this brief.
Melanin, the normal body pigment, is synthesized from the essential amino acid L-phenylalanine by an enzyme system dependent on copper, vitamin B6, vitamin C. That's why these nutrients are all part of vitiligo repigmentation programs, also.
