Problem food for Vitiligo

Vitiligo is an illness that causes discolouration of skin tone in patches. The discoloured areas generally expand with time. The condition can occur on the skin on any portion of the body. Likewise, it can influence the colour of hair and mouth and lips also.

The shade of hair and skin is generally determined by melanin. Vitiligo develops when melanin-producing cells cannot work properly or stop working.

It influences individuals of all skin types, yet it can be noticed more in individuals with darker skin tones. Most importantly, the condition is not dangerous or infectious. But it may bring awful thoughts and stress about your own self.  

No treatment can bring back the colour of your affected skin. The only thing is possible is to slow down the skin discolouration process.

Symptoms of vitiligo:

The symptoms of vitiligo include the followings-

• Your skin will lose colour.
• Primarily this discolouration begins on hands, face and other open areas.
• There can be premature greying of hair on your scalp, beard, eyelash and eyebrows.

One can develop vitiligo at any age; however, it appears before thirty generally.

Vitiligo prevention diet:

Though there is no standardised diet which is widely accepted, yet Doctor Swetha, one of the best skin specialist in Indiranagar, Bangalore suggests having a healthy diet that contains enough nutritional value.

As a result, this healthy diet will increase the immunity system, which in return can fight the problem.

Certain foods are believed to be helpful in vitiligo condition. These foods are

• Vegetables: Spinach, beetroot, carrot, potato, cabbage, radish, cauliflower, red chilli, bitter gourd, green beans etc. are very beneficial.
• Fruits– Fruits like fig, ripe mango, apricot can provide you with the required nutrients.
• Protein: Consume light meat like chicken, turkey, eggs etc. If you are vegetarian, then consume chickpeas, mushrooms, kidney beans and lentils to have protein.
• Dairy: Dairy products need to be consumed in this situation regularly.
• Whole grain: Foods like oats, brown rice, white rice, couscous, corn, quinoa is very healthy for vitiligo patients.
• Herbs and spices: Consume rosemary, thyme, basil, clove, coriander leaves, black pepper, cinnamon, cardamom and nutmeg are very effective in treating vitiligo.
• Beverages: Try to consume vegetable, fruit juice and coconut water as beverages in your food.

Problem foods for vitiligo:

Though it is not clear that which of the foods should be restricted in vitiligo as there is no medical support behind this restriction. Yet some exceptional cases have shown the evidence in support of the restriction of the particular food.

It has been evident that most of these restricted foods contain the hydroquinone, depigmenting agents. So, it is better to stay away from the problem foods.

Let us check some of the problem foods for vitiligo:

Protein: Protein like beef, pork and fish are very bad for your health if you have them in large quantity.

Fruits: Certain fruits like gooseberry, nectarine, orange, peach, pineapple, prune, lemon, melon, papaya, grapes, guava, pear, tamarind etc. contain a high amount of vitamin C. This vitamin C prevents the formation of pigments.

Vegetables: If you are suffering from vitiligo problem you should stop consuming the vegetables like tomato, onion, garlic, eggplant, green chilli etc.

Dairy: Though dairy products are beneficial for health, yet they can worse vitiligo situation. Items like card, milk and buttermilk one should avoid.

Beverages: You should not continue with carbonated drinks, packaged fruit juice and alcohol.

Spices: Certain spices like turmeric needs to avoid in vitiligo.   

Treatment for vitiligo:

Specific vitamins and herbs can work in the treatment of vitiligo. These are as follows-

• Folic acid
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin D
• Ginkgo biloba
• Amino acids
• Enzymes

Along with these, certain minerals are also very helpful in treating vitiligo. These are-

• Copper
• Iron
• Zinc
• Calcium

All of these are necessary supplements to overcome the deficiencies.

Vitiligo is an issue arising out of less secretion of melanin in your skin. Though there is no treatment or medication available to treat vitiligo, yet few instances of effective therapies are available.

Contact us to avail the best quality cosmetic treatment for vitiligo at Cosmoderm Centre.