Vitiligo is an auto-immune disorder where the melanocytes, the cells producing skin pigments, are attacked and damaged, leading to white patches forming on the skin. Modern medical science has improved several advanced treatments and therapies to control and cure the condition. However, as it is an auto-immune condition, you must make particular lifestyle and dietary changes to fix it more effectively. Your dermatologist will prescribe you drugs, and along with it, following a wholesome vitiligo diet instruction can help you fight this disease faster than you think. Hence, we have made a list of foods that you must add and avoid from your diet to manage the condition:
Diet to control the effects of Vitiligo
There has been no medically proven diet that is absolutely beneficial in treating vitiligo but as it is an auto-immune condition, experts suggest certain foods to consume that are great for strengthening your immune system along with calming and anti-inflammatory effects on the skin.
Here are certain foods that you must add to your diet that can positively impact the cure vitiligo in 30 days at home
- Food rich in vitamin B-12
Many types of research have shown that patients suffering from vitiligo have a deficiency of essential nutrients like vitamin B-12. This tends to boost the production of homocysteine, which can be responsible for causing damage to skin pigmentation cells in different parts of the body.
Add breakfast cereals, which are fortified with vitamin B12, fish, meat, eggs, and dairy products are essential sources of this nutrient.
- Food rich in Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Nuts like almonds, walnuts, fish, including sardines, anchovies, and tuna, and greens like avocado and spinach are great sources of Omega-3 Fatty Acids.
These foods are particularly beneficial in curing inflammation and boosting the immune system, which is a great way to counter the effects of vitiligo.
- Food with high protein content
Proteins are a great compound to trigger the immune response, which is found helpful in accelerating tissue repair.
Add meat, fish, and eggs to your diet to power up your meals with high protein content. For vegetarian options, beans, chickpeas, legumes, and mushrooms are the best alternatives for their non-vegetarian options.
- Vegetable
Having a plant-based diet can be highly beneficial to reverse the effects of vitiligo. Leafy vegetables, beetroots, carrots, potatoes, radish, red chilli, and bitter gourd are some of the many veggies loaded with a host of bioactive compounds and phytonutrients. Make sure the major part of your meal consists of these, as they nourish and promote skin health from within.
- Supplements
There are many micro and macronutrients that are essential to combat the effects of vitiligo and promote good skin health. So, to incorporate all the required vitamins and minerals, health supplements are highly recommended. Minerals like copper, zinc, and iron can be easily derived from supplements.
Foods you must avoid
- Acidic foods
Citrus fruits like lemons, gooseberry, oranges, and grapes are abundant in vitamin C. It is found to inhibit the production of melanin, which promotes pigmentation in the skin and, if not produced adequately, can cause uneven skin tone, the major effects of vitiligo.
- Food items containing artificial food color
Many studies have found that patients have reported worsening of the condition by taking foods that contain artificial food coloring compounds.
- Carbonated beverages
Sweetened and carbonated drinks hamper the recovery of the condition. They are highly notorious for hampering the metabolism and thus adversely affecting the nourishment and regeneration of healthy skin cells. So, avoid consuming such beverages and go for healthier alternatives like tender coconut water to promote good skin.
- Processed foods and meat
The preservative used to process and store meats and other food items is found to hamper the immune system. As vitiligo is an auto-immune disease, you must avoid foods that negatively affect the immunity of your body.
- Foods containing hydroquinone
Hydroquinone is a compound that contributes to de-pigmentation. It is even found in various beauty products like bleaching creams. Hence, it is advised to avoid foods that contain this bleaching agent while combating vitiligo. Fruits like pears, blueberries, broccoli, and even red wine contain hydroquinone, and they can make the uneven skin complexion more prominent, worsening the condition more.
- Red meat
Red and organ meats, such as animal liver, are advised to be avoided in your vitiligo diet. They can worsen the condition by spreading the white patches all over your body.
Conclusion
Vitiligo is a widespread concern among people now. There are more people who suffer from this condition than you can assume. The causes and treatments are still being studied, and much research is being done to counter this disease effectively. It can be a long-term condition, but there are measures that you can incorporate to check and control the symptoms and prevent the signs from worsening. Although many treatments and therapies are widely popular, making certain changes in your diet plan is considered a worthwhile solution.