Does An Antioxidant-Rich Diet Help Patients With Vitiligo?

Vitiligo is an autoimmune skin disorder that affects 1-2% of the global population. You might recognize it by its characteristic ‘light’ and ‘dark’ skin patches. The light patches represent the area where melanin in the skin has been destroyed. A common that is often asked in the vitiligo community is that ayurvedic diet for vitiligo?”

We will have a detailed discussion on this topic below.

Risk Factors for Vitiligo

Scientists don’t really know what exactly it is that causes vitiligo, but it’s generally believed to be an autoimmune process resulting from the body’s own destruction of its melanocytes.

There are many factors that can predispose an individual to vitiligo.

• Autoimmune Diseases: Studies show that vitiligo is associated with autoimmune disorders affecting other organs like the thyroid, adrenals, and other skin-associated diseases.
• Genetics: Some studies suggest that it shares a link with certain genes. This means that vitiligo can have a familial component.
• Emotional Stress: Research conducted has also shown that vitiligo also correlates with high-stress levels.
• Diet deficiencies: especially those of copper and zinc

What are Anti-Oxidants?

Antioxidants are compounds that help prevent the formation of free radicals. Free radicals are molecules formed by oxidation, and they contribute to inflammatory reactions in the body. Antioxidants bind to substrates and stop oxidation from occurring.

Free radicals can contribute to tissue destruction and play a role in developing systemic inflammatory response syndrome.

Role of Free Radicals In Vitiligo

Research conducted by scientists has suggested that an imbalance between antioxidants and free radicals can lead to the development of ayurvedic cure for vitiligo. This research showed that patients with vitiligo also had an increased concentration of erythrocyte superoxide dismutase and nitric oxide compared to healthy patients.

Another study carried out also shows that superoxide dismutase levels are significantly elevated in active cases of vitiligo compared to stable cases of vitiligo and healthy individuals. Thus by reducing the production of free radicals, antioxidants can help slow down the progression of vitiligo.

Does Antioxidant Diet Help Patients With Vitiligo?

A trial conducted by scientists on 25 vitiligo patients showed that consuming Vitix (an antioxidant-containing product) helped in the re-pigmentation of vitiligo-affected regions.

Oral Vitamin E supplementation has also demonstrated that it not only increases the efficacy of other treatments but also helps play a role in the re-pigmentation of the affected skin. The research also implicated that oral Vitamin E supplementation also played a role in stabilizing vitiligo.

Another study also supports the use of oral vitamin E as adjunct therapy as it causes a reduction in the levels of malondialdehyde (formed as a result of lipid peroxidation) when used in patients with stable vitiligo.

Similar results have also been shown when α-lipoic acid, an antioxidant, was added via oral supplements to the diet of vitiligo patients. It helped improve the clinical effectiveness of UVB therapy.

Polypodium leucotomos, is a plant-based antioxidant. Research has shown that using Polypodium leucotomos and standard therapy can supplement the re-pigmentation of lightened skin patches, especially in the head and neck region.

Other research has also implicated that the use of antioxidant supplementation and standard therapy in the treatment of vitiligo shows better results than the use of standard therapy alone. This encourages vitiligo-affected individuals to seek out a ‘vitiligo diet’ consisting of food rich in antioxidants for better progress of their illness.

The Best Food for Re-pigmentation of Vitiligo

Antioxidants can play an important role in the treatment of vitiligo, and hence it is vital that patients consume antioxidant-rich food.

These diets contain great amounts of vitamin C, vitamin E, carotenoids, and minerals like zinc, selenium, and phenol compounds. Thus the best options for a vitiligo diet are:

1. Fruits: Many fruits contain vitamins and other minerals that play important roles as antioxidants, so eat plenty of sweet fruit. This includes berries, oranges, peaches, mangoes, and papaya.
2. Vegetables:  Many vegetables, especially green ones like artichokes, spinach, broccoli, and carrots, also contain many antioxidants and are thus the best options for a vitiligo diet.
3. Beans: Beans have some of the highest antioxidant content, and they can be incorporated into a variety of dishes. Be sure to include red kidney beans, pinto beans, and black beans.
4. Nuts: Antioxidant-rich nuts are great for snacking, and they’re convenient to carry around, so make sure to add them to your diet. The best ones for full antioxidant potential in a vitiligo diet are macadamia nuts, almonds, hazelnuts, and pistachios.
5. Spices and Herbs: The use of herbs and spices not only adds layers of tastiness to cooking, but they are also great for adding antioxidants to your diet. Curry powder, cumin, parsley, basil, turmeric, and cinnamon all have great antioxidant properties.
6. Dark Chocolate: Not only does dark chocolate have antioxidant properties, but it also plays a role in lowering systolic blood pressure. Who said chocolate was all that bad for you?

Other measures to help with the re-pigmentation of the skin

An antioxidant diet is very beneficial in treating vitiligo as it has been shown to supplement UVB therapy. There are other measures that can help individuals with vitiligo better control their vitiligo and deal with its symptoms.

• Preventing sun damage: Using sun protection clothing and hats is very important as it can exacerbate vitiligo. Avoid the sun, and make sure always to wear your sunscreen.
• Vitiligo Organics: A vitiligo treatment cream, Vitiligo Organics has been used by 1000+ patients who attest that daily application has helped with the re-pigmentation of their skin.
• Stress control: Since vitiligo correlates to mental stress, it would make sense to find healthy outlets to deal with mental exacerbation. This could include therapy, yoga, walks, and meditation.
• Safety: Since skin damage is one of the factors implicated in vitiligo, make sure to use safety gear while handling chemicals. Also, be diligent while participating in activities that could expose you to burns, like cooking.

Conclusion

Standard therapy with topical applications and UVB therapy is the gold standard in vitiligo treatment. However, research supports that consuming a special vitiligo diet of food rich in antioxidants also shows promising results in the re-pigmentation and stabilization of vitiligo.

Remember, the best food for vitiligo is antioxidant-rich food!