While the cure for Vitiligo has yet to be found, there are certain measures one can take in order to try and slow the onset of the skin condition and possibly treat it as well. We must inform you, however, there is no recommended “Vitiligo diet” and you should always consult with your physician first.
The information that is found within this article is based on consensus.
Image: Susanne Nilsson
Antioxidants
Antioxidants have been raved about for quite some time now and can benefit everything from your eyes and skin to immune and cardiovascular systems. They are found in most fresh fruits and vegetables that we eat and aid in the fight against the damaging properties of free radicals. Antioxidants do this by aiding in the reduction and removal of free radicals from our bloodstream.
While antioxidants won’t cure Vitiligo, they have helped in treating symptoms of the skin disorder and can halt the progression of it. Research has shown that there is a link between oxidative stress levels and Vitiligo and antioxidants can help reduce oxidative stress.
Try Avoiding Processed Foods
Foods that are heavily processed can wreak havoc on the immune system. The reason for this is that the body has to work harder to digest these foods than it would for more natural foods. Some processed foods to try avoiding would be dairy, processed sugars, and gluten.
These foods can irritate the lining of the stomach and in turn, the white blood cells, which protect us from disease, start to attack us rather than defend us. Reducing the intake of these foods is a good place to start in regards to improving our overall healing, let alone trying to improve our experience with Vitiligo.
Reduce Your Alcohol Intake
We all love a good drink once in awhile, but too much alcohol can really create some confusion within the human body. It can definitely be taxing on the organs, brain, and cardiovascular system when too much alcohol is consumed.
Studies have shown that minor consumption of alcohol can have positive health benefits, such as a relaxed nervous and cardiovascular system, however, consuming too much alcohol can affect almost every part of the body. This includes the immune system.
Image: Hamza Butt
Diversify Your Proteins
Meat is the number one source of protein, but it’s a good idea to diversify the types of proteins you are consuming. Soybeans, tempeh, tofu, leafy greens, and sprouts are all excellent alternatives and can help you cut down on the amount of meat you are consuming.
Research has shown that there is a link between cutting back on consuming meat and slowing the onset of Vitiligo.
Increasing the amount of Omega-3 fatty acids you consume can also have incredible benefits for your skin, immune system, and circulation levels. They have also been known to aid in the prevention of inflammation within the body. Salmon, walnuts, and avocado are a few foods that are jam packed with Omega-3 fatty acids.
See What Works For You
Again, it’s important for us to state that there is not a “cure all” diet for Vitiligo and it is very possible that these dietary practices will not work, however, some of these dietary practices have been shown to work in reducing the symptoms of Vitiligo amongst those who have the skin condition.
We recommend consulting your physician and seeing what works best for you. If you find success or have had success with dietary changes please drop us a comment on social media and let us know!
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In addition, if you are looking for a concealer for Vitiligo while you test out some new dietary changes, please check out our Vitiligo Concealer Pen, it has worked wonders for people!
*Please note that Zanderm does not provide medical, nutritional, or dietary advice. Please seek consultation from a medical doctor before making any changes to your diet or nutrition.