Vitiligo is an autoimmune condition in which melanocytes are attacked and destroyed causing irregular white patches of the skin.
Many people who suffer from this condition wonder if the choices they make about their diet and lifestyle can prevent vitiligo or its worsening.
Vitiligo prevention in a natural way
According to Vitiligo Support International, people with Vitiligo may not have healthy levels of certain nutrients.
However, there is no scientific evidence that eating certain foods can improve or worsen Vitiligo.
Despite this lack of evidence, some people claim to be successful with a variety of home treatments.
The most popular home remedies include:
- a blend of lemon extract and sweet basil
- ginkgo biloba paste
- a mixture of turmeric and mustard oil
Diet to prevent vitiligo
While there is no Vitiligo Diet, officially prescribed by a specialist, the best nutritional steps you can take include a healthy diet full of good nutrients and drinking plenty of water.
Also, as with any autoimmune disease, you can benefit from foods that stimulate the immune system and contain phytochemicals, beta-carotene, and antioxidants.
Some people with Vitiligo have found these foods helpful for their condition:
- bananas
- apples
- green leafy vegetables, such as kale or romaine lettuce
- chickpeas
- root vegetables such as beets, carrots and radishes
- figs and dates
Dietary restrictions against vitiligo
As previously mentioned, there is no prescribed diet for Vitiligo, as a result, there are also no medically recognized foods that make the condition worse.
However, studies have shown that some people experience a negative reaction when they eat certain foods, especially those that contain the depigmenting agents hydroquinones.
Each person has a different body and can react differently to certain foods.
Here are some of the top problem foods that some people with vitiligo cite:
- alcohol
- fruit juice
- coffee
- grain products
- blueberries
- citrus fruits
- pomegranate
- pears
- curd
- grape
- pickles
- tomatoes
- red meats
- fish
Vitamins for the prevention and treatment of vitiligo
Some vitiligo patients reported that certain substances, such as vitamins and herbs, appeared to reduce the white patches on the skin.
These substances have not been deemed medically effective as treatments for vitiligo.
These vitamins are:
- folic acid or vitamin B-12
- C vitamin
- vitamin D
- beta carotene
- Ginkgo biloba
- amino acids
- enzymes
