Effect of diet on vitiligo

Although there is no official vitiligo diet, there are still things you can do to prevent your condition from getting worse. One such measure is eating a healthy diet full of nutrients. Such a diet is always suitable, not only for vitiligo, but from the point of view of overall health.

We have prepared recommendations for suitable and unsuitable foods based on the experiences of patients with vitiligo. We deliberately write about foods that are recommended or not recommended by the patients themselves. So far, there is no scientifically based evidence that would confirm a direct connection between diet and vitiligo. However, some studies suggest that changing the diet or adding some nutritional supplements could have a positive effect on the course of the disease. In addition, the patients themselves report that a healthy diet helped them to alleviate vitiligo [1, 2]

Special diets for vitiligo

It turns out that a plant-based diet rich in antioxidants and possibly a gluten-free diet can have a beneficial effect on vitiligo.

A plant-based diet rich in antioxidants

One of the possible causes of vitiligo is the effect of stress on the cells that produce melanin. Less melanin means more skin depigmentation. You can protect yourself against this stress by eating foods high in antioxidants, such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and spices.

Interesting tip: To receive a sufficient amount of antioxidants, eat as many fruits and vegetables of different colors as possible. Or else - eat the rainbow :-). We have prepared an Ebook for you with recipes for suitable fruit and vegetable smoothies that you can easily prepare at home.

Foods with a high content of omega-3 fatty acids, but with a lower content of omega-6 fatty acids, can also help improve the symptoms of vitiligo. They are mainly oily fish, algae, nuts and seeds. Plant food in particular has a very high content of antioxidants. This does not mean that you should switch to a vegan diet, as you can still eat some animal products. However, most of the diet consists of the plant component.

Gluten-free diet

Several sources mention a gluten-free diet as a suitable diet for vitiligo. One of the reasons may be the fact that gluten is an inflammatory food. Each person's organism is different and can react differently to food. To see if it works for you, try eliminating gluten from your diet for a while. [2]

Appropriate and inappropriate foods for vitiligo

The patients themselves draw attention to several suitable or unsuitable foods that had an impact on the change in their health status.

Vitiligo - recommended foods

As with any autoimmune disorder, vitiligo patients can benefit from immune-boosting foods.

These are the ones that contain antioxidants, phytochemicals and beta-carotene, especially:

● fruit: bananas, apples, dates, figs,
● vegetables: leafy vegetables (kale, romaine lettuce) and root vegetables (beetroot, carrot, radish),
● legumes: chickpeas.

Fiber, probiotic and prebiotic foods, such as sauerkraut, can also help gut health. In addition to eating healthy foods, don't forget to follow your drinking regime.[2, 3]

Vitiligo - unsuitable foods

Just as there are no scientifically recognized foods to improve vitiligo, there are also no foods that are medically recognized as making the condition worse. However, several vitiligo patients experience negative reactions after eating certain foods.

In particular, avoid foods that cause inflammatory reactions in the body. Such foods worsen the intestinal microflora. Only if you have a healthy gut will they help you reduce mild inflammation in the body.

Such unsuitable foods include in particular:

● processed meat (meat preserved by smoking, drying or salting) - e.g. ham, bacon, salami, etc.,

● fried foods, french fries,
● sweetened drinks,
● sweet foods such as cookies, sweets or ice cream,
● gluten, white bread, white pasta,
● soy and vegetable oil,
● excess of alcohol and carbohydrates. [2]

Among the problematic foods mentioned by vitiligo patients are mainly:

● alcohol, coffee,
● fruit: citrus, pears, blueberries, grapes, pomegranate, gooseberries, but also fruit juice,
● vegetables: tomatoes,
● dairy products: cottage cheese,
● meat: red meat, fish,
● other foods: wheat products, pickles. [3]

Vitiligo and nutritional supplements

Also anecdotal are the recommendations regarding vitamins and minerals, after which patients noted a reduction in skin discoloration. Again, it should be noted that even these substances have not been scientifically confirmed as effective.

They are mainly:
● vitamins B12, C, D and E, beta-carotene,
● minerals copper, iron and zinc,
● ginkgo biloba, enzymes and amino acids. [3]

Our tip: Read more details in the article Vitamins for vitiligo.

In our online store, we offer you Vitistop tablets, which contain the patented herbal active ingredient EXTRAMEL® in combination with vitamins (C, D3, E, B1, B5, B9, B12) and minerals (selenium, copper, zinc). Vitamin C, vitamin E, copper, selenium and zinc help protect cells from oxidative stress. Vitisop tablets are an essential element in the fight against vitiligo. They slow down the spread of vitiligo and support the process of restoring lost pigment.

One last piece of advice: It is important to realize that there is no one-size-fits-all vitiligo diet. However, a conscious and balanced approach to food is a great way to incorporate healthy eating into your life. A properly chosen diet can only affect your treatment in a positive way.

Sources:
[1] Vitiligosociety.org: Living with Vitiligo
[2] Healthline.com: How to Prevent Vitiligo