Vitiligo & Diet

Diet plays an important role in the treatment of Vitiligo. Cold and phlegm producing foods are harmful in this disease. Not only the response of the treatment is delayed but also the lesions can spread if such foods are used frequently. Food items which are restricted, and those recommended, are those given below:

TO BE USED: Cereal: Whole grain food, millet/barley porridge, oats, rice, pasta (processed grains not recommended) Breads: only whole grain breads, bran wheat chapatti, Fruits: Blue berries (people have different opinions), rasp berries, pears, cherries, banana, pineapple, apple, mangos, apricots, grapes, papaya, amaranth Vegetables: potatoes, Beet, Carrots, tomatoes, Cucumbers, Courgettes, Tykva, Cauliflowers, spinach, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage (vegetables of different colors), garlic, celery root, peas, beans, portabellas, crimini and button mushrooms, onions, French beans, chillies, red pepper, fenugreek, drumsticks, turnips, green and red raddish, parsley, plumes, bitter gourd, ridge gourd, caraway, anisi soy products, lentils or pulses especially bengal gram or chick peas Drink: Tea without sugar in the morning, 6-7 glasses of water every day, juices, honey, green tea with mint (people are confused about it) Nuts (vitamin E and special fats): Figs (excellent), Apricots, brain, walnuts, almonds (very good), pistachiounut, black dates Oil: Olive/vegetable, pure ghee obtained from butter (the best),mustard oil, Other things: beans and pumpkin seeds, only boiled meat, jaggery ***USE a lot of ginger and turmeric in the food ***Early morning sunlight to get light ultra violet rays ***Better if the diet is salt free Breakfast: Prridge, Berries, Dried fruits (figs the best) Lunch/dinner -1medium sized vegetable or fruit -½ cup (125 ml) juice - ½ cup (125 ml) raw, cooked, fresh, frozen or canned, vegetables or fruits - 1 cup (250 ml) raw, leafy vegetables - ¼ cup dried fruit Vitamin supplements: With the diet above mentioned Scientists now know that many people with vitiligo are deficient in folic acid, vitamin B12, vitamin C, pantothenic acid , copper, and zinc. Vitamin B-12 and Folic acid be taken together. i) Recouleur vitamins (one vitamin per day with food), Recouleur® is a synergistic combination of vitamins and minerals that may help fill in the color in gray hair and depigmented skin. Vegetarian, Price: $89.95, Bottles contain 180 tablets. That is a six month supply if you take one per day. For optimum results: Take one tablet daily with a meal. Or, as directed by a physician You must have some of your original skin or hair color. Exposure to sun or artificial sunlamp can accelerate skin effects. A well balanced diet is the best foundation for starting supplementation. ii) calcium plus vitamin D tablet every day. DO NOT USE: Fats, spices, salty, SOUR FOOD: acidic/citric (lemon, lime oranges and mandarins, grapefruits, amla )m Vitamin C prohibits production of melanin. Beef, Red meat and chicken, egg horseradish, brinjal, mustard, pepper, melons of all kinds, gooseberry, tomatoes if possible, sour strawberries. White bread, flour, fried and smoked foods, bilberry, quince, chocolate, , strong tea, butter and margarine, alcohol, coffee, NO milk or milk products, buttermilk, ice cream, flavored drinks, alcohol. tamarind, cashew nuts, Fish and sea food Pickles References: http://www.dermabest.com/vitiligo_diet.htm http://www.wholisticresearch.com/info/artshow.php3?artid=270 http://vitilem.bravehost.com/ http://www.leucoderma.com/app/diet.asp http://www.recouleur.com/ http://www.antivitiligo.com/vitiligo-treatment/vitiligo-diet.html

Vitiligo & Vitamins

Vitamins, Minerals and More Are vitamins and minerals important in the treatment of vitiligo? The answer to this question is: yes, they are. Given the fact that a significant number of people with vitiligo show low levels of vitamin C, vitamin B12, and Folic Acid, and considering the importance of these and other vitamins, a supplement that includes the main vitamins and minerals is recommend. This is a helpful complement for Vitiligo treatment. In general a nutritious, well-balance diet is helpful and offers many long-term benefits. Please read the following information to better understand the importance of vitamins and minerals in the treatment of vitiligo. Vitamin A keeps epithelial tissues (the skin and lining of various organs) healthy, and is necessary for the development of cells into their specialised forms (ex. melanocytes). Vitamin A also plays a role in maintaining the immune system. Vitamin C helps strengthen the body's defence system. It plays a vital role in the formation of collagen (connective tissue) which is necessary to keep your bones, teeth and skin healthy. It is part of the antioxidant trio (which includes vitamin E and beta-carotene) which helps to neutralise highly reactive substances called free radicals, which are known to cause damage to melanocytes. Vitamin E is an antioxidant and protects molecules and cell membranes in the human body against the destructive effects of oxygen-containing free radicals. It plays a key role in the functioning of the immune system. Vit B12 is known as the vitamin that prevents pernicious anaemia. This deficiency is associated to Vitiligo in some cases. The same can be said about Folic Acid. Zinc is a component of many enzymes some of them related to the normal function of the immune system; and is involved in the metabolism of certain vitamins. Copper is involved in the synthesis of connective tissue in the skeleton and blood vessels, it plays a role in the functioning of the immune system. It's important for the pigmentation of skin, hair and eyes. It takes part in the process of repigmentation. It is also an antioxidant. Individuals with certain metabolic diseases, like Wilson's disease, should not take supplements that contain cooper.