Vitamins and diet: what foods should you eat when you have vitiligo?

Vitamins and diet can play a role in vitiligo. Foods rich in vitamins and folic acid help maintain and strengthen the immune system.

Vitamin B12 and folic acid

Vitamin B12 is essential for cell renewal. It therefore contributes to the overall good condition of the skin. Vitamin B12 also effectively fights free radicals, which are responsible for the destruction of melanin.

It is recommended to consume vitamin B12 combined with folic acid (B9) to best treat vitiligo. Scientific studies have shown the benefits of a combination of vitamin B12, folic acid and sun exposure in order to regain the natural color of the skin.

Vitamin B12 is essential for proper cell renewal and the production of red blood cells. It therefore plays a key role in pregnant women for the proper development of the fetus. However, be careful not to overdose; it is recommended, especially if vitiligo has been triggered, to consult your doctor to obtain a prescription for the correct dosage.

Good to know : Vitamin B12 is sensitive to heat and light, and it does not withstand cooking. Therefore, care must be taken to keep food or supplements away from heat and light, and to monitor cooking times. Do not exceed the indicated time in order to preserve nutrients and vitamins. It is not recommended to reheat repeatedly.

Where are vitamin B12 and folic acid found?

And for folic acid, here are some examples of rich foods:

• Poultry offal
• Brussels sprouts
• Boiled broccoli
• Romaine lettuce
• Sunflower seeds
• Flax seeds
• Nut
• Pig liver
• Beet
• Asparagus
• Spinach

Vitamins A, C and E, what is their role and their benefits?

Vitamin E helps protect cell membranes, especially those of the skin. It also helps slow down skin aging. Finally, it protects red blood cells against oxidizing substances. Many cosmetic products are currently rich in vitamin E, as it has proven beneficial for skin quality. This vitamin acts as an antioxidant to combat the destruction and premature degradation of melanocytes, which are responsible for skin pigment. Vitamin E can be consumed both in foods and in dietary supplements. Consult your doctor for the correct dosage.

Foods Rich in Vitamin E:

• Papaya
• Fatty foods
• Nuts, walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts
• Sunflower seeds
• Cereals with bran
• Peanut
• Lawyer

Vitamin C is rich in ascorbic acid and plays an important role for people with vitiligo, as it works synergistically with vitamin E, selenium, and zinc. It also promotes iron absorption. It helps fight oxidation and thus strengthen the immune system. It participates in the renewal of white blood cells, thus allowing the body to defend itself against attacks and pathogens, both internal and external.

Some foods containing vitamin C:

• Guava
• Kiwi
• Broccoli
• Mango
• Red pepper
• Brussels sprouts
• Kohlrabi
• Pineapple
• Papaya
• Orange

Vitamin A plays an important role: Beta-carotene has significant antioxidant power and helps fight oxidative stress and premature aging of the skin. A good intake of vitamin A also helps prepare the skin for the sun and protect cells against external aggressions. It is a precursor of melanin, responsible for skin pigmentation.

Some foods rich in vitamin A:

• Sweet potato
• Carrot
• Spinach leaves
• Cress
• Thyme
• Dried apricot
• Lettuce
• Dandelion
• Romaine lettuce
• Cooked pumpkin
• Melon
• Lamb's lettuce salad
• Chard
• Parsley

What about beta-carotene?

It is a precursor form of vitamin A with high antioxidant activity, thus playing a role in "updating" the normal color of the skin. In addition, the deposit of dietary carotenoids provides photoprotection for lightly pigmented skin. Again, consulting a doctor when vitiligo has been triggered is the best thing to do, so as not to overdose on vitamins or sun exposure.

Some foods rich in beta-carotene:

• Leafy vegetables: lettuce, watercress, spinach, endives...
• Nuts
• Legumes: lentils, chickpeas...
• Citrus

And finally: vitamin D and vitiligo

Vitamin D is called the sunshine vitamin, it increases the rate of melanogenesis and tyrosinase activity. This is why vitamin D is often insufficient in people suffering from vitiligo. or autoimmune disease.

Some foods rich in vitamin D:

• Salmon
• Herring
• Calf's liver
• Mushrooms
• Oysters
• Mackerel
• Anchovy
• Egg yolk
• Eel
• Butter
• Milk
• Yogurts

Conclusion : Vitiligo remains a difficult disease to treat. To date, there is no miracle cure, but taking care of your diet and lifestyle can help to stabilize it or even stimulate the production of melanin in certain areas.

By accompanying a diet rich in sun vitamins, we can achieve results.

It is the dermatologist who must determine whether or not the patient with vitiligo should be exposed to the sun. The doctor may prescribe topical creams, phototherapy sessions, and also indicate the sun exposure time for the vitiligo areas.