Vitiligo (vit-ill-EYE-go) is a pigmentation disorder in which melanocytes (the cells that make pigment) in the skin are destroyed. As a result, white patches appear on the skin in different parts of the body. Similar patches also appear on both the mucous membranes (tissues that line the inside of the mouth and nose), and the retina (inner layer of the eyeball). The hair that grows on areas affected by vitiligo sometimes turns white. The cause of vitiligo is not known, but doctors and researchers have several different theories. There is strong evidence that people with vitiligo inherit a group of three genes that make them susceptible to depigmentation. The most widely accepted view is that the depigmentation occurs because vitiligo is an autoimmune disease-a disease in which a person's immune system reacts against the body's own organs or tissues. As such, people's bodies produce proteins called cytokines that alter their pigment-producing cells and cause these cells to die. Another theory is that melanocytes destroy themselves. Finally, some people have reported that a single event such as sunburn or emotional distress triggered vitiligo; however, these events have not been scientifically proven as causes of vitiligo.
Vitiligo is common.About 0.5 to 1 percent of the world's population, or as many as 65 million people, have vitiligo. In the United States, 1 to 2 million people have the disorder. Half the people who have vitiligo develop it before age 20; most develop it before their 40th birthday. The disorder affects both sexes and all races equally; however, it is more noticeable in people with dark skin. It is more easily observed in sun-exposed areas of the body and in darker skin types, but it affects any area of the body and all races. Vitiligo may also be hereditary; that is, it can run in families. Children whose parents have the disorder are more likely to develop vitiligo. In fact, 30 percent of people with vitiligo have a family member with the disease. However, only 5 to 7 percent of children will get vitiligo even if a parent has it, and most people with vitiligo do not have a family history of the disorder.
Vitiligo People Should Take Following Food In Daily Diet..
*Vitiligo people should preferably take Steamed foods, drink Carrot juice and eat Peaches, Apricots and Tomatoes. They should largely take Tomatoes in their foods as it contains“Lycopene”which is a great source of Vit C.
*A new research by Indian Scientist showed that, Chickpeas is very powerful substance to cure vitiligo.
*Another latest research proved that, Black Pepper is very helpful in curing the vitiligo. It have ability to improve the immune activity of the skin.
* Green Leaves, Beetroots and Black dates are very helpful in changing the physiology and biochemistry of the skin with their natural pigments. So people with vitiligo should take these foods in their daily diet.
* Vitiligo patients should drink Water no less than 6 glasses per day. It maintains the body metabolism and plays an important role in the protection of skin and its color recovery.
* Take Food with Enough Fluids in their daily diet.
* Take seasoning fruits like wood-apple, banana, avocado, watermelon, papaya, apple, These fruits containdifferent combinations of nutrients like vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients,and antioxidants. And these nutrients provide great benefit to body of vitiligo patients, especially to their skin.
*Garlic provides support to our heart and skin from many diseases. It has antibacterialand anti- fungal properties in it that helps our body in many ways. * Green Tea – is a great Source of vitamin C and it also contains a phytochemicalnamely, polyphenols. This compound has 100 times more oxidant power than VitaminC. It also has antibacterial properties in it that prevents us from skin cancerand heart disease.
*Nuts (if not allergic) especially reach with vitamin E are very useful for vitiligo patients. It also contains protective phytochemicals and “good fats” that are beneficial for skin.
*Olive oil also contains protective fat, which is very essential for our skin. So vitiligo people should use this oil during cooking their foods.
*Protein from different sources like fish and Soya bin oil is also useful for controlling the skin depigmentation
* Spinach loaded with iron and folic acid, helps in maintaining blood levelsof homocysteine (a substance that may damage blood vessels). It also containsa phytochemicals that help in protection of our skin color. Peas are also helpfulfor skin.
*Food formed by Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, etc; contains abundant phytochemicals that may prevent us from skin cancer and help to vitiligo patients in Balancing their immune responses.
The use of Oats, help us in lowering the cholesterol levels and maintaining the high blood pressure. It also contains vitamin E like compounds (cotrienols), which protects us from skin disorder.
Vegetables have different colors and each one of them, contains different types of phytochemicals, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. So vitiligo patient should take more vegetables in daily food.
Whole-grain foods are also a great source of fibers; vitamins, minerals and “oligo elements” so never ignore the importance of these foods and try to take them in daily life.
What is vitiligo, and what causes it?
