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What is Vitiligo? Explore a Vitiligo-friendly Indian diet to support skin health. Learn what to consume and foods to avoid.

The first reason for vitiligo is that it is an autoimmune condition. In this case, your immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells (melanocytes), considering them to be harmful to your body, causing white patches.

Next, the genetic changes in your body can also cause vitiligo. A genetic mutation or change in your DNA can be the reason for this. They affect melanin production in your body.

Exposure to toxic chemicals and ultraviolet radiation can affect the functions of melanocytes in your body.

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Vitiligo cannot be cured permanently. However, eating a wholesome and balanced diet can provide support in making life easy for people living with vitiligo. A proper diet will help you manage the symptoms and promote skin health. According to Dr Kalra, there is no one diet role for all, but rather it varies from person to person. He advised avoiding a diet which has a high concentration of vitamin C, as it may further worsen your skin condition. He further stated that one should not avoid vitamin C, and be mindful when including it in their diet. A study published by the National Library of Medicine on Diet and Vitiligo: The Story So Far mentions that vitamin C is not used and is contraindicated in treating vitiligo as it disrupts the melanin production pathways.

Some of the Indian diet recommendations to support your vitiligo journey include:

• Nuts and seeds, such as almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds, and flaxseeds, are rich sources of zinc and vitamin E, which help with vitiligo patches and support healthy skin.

Dr Kalra also sheds light on some of the myths around vitiligo.

Vitiligo is caused by consuming milk after fish. However, these are not true and have been proven wrong by many scientific studies. If these were to be believed, then coastal areas would have been top affected.

Consuming non-vegetarian food can cause vitiligo. There is no scientific or medical data to back this up. There are cases where even vegetarians have had vitiligo.

Vitiligo is skin damage caused by the sun. Vitiligo is sometimes mistaken for sunburn due to the appearance of the patches, but in reality, it occurs when the body’s immune cells attack its pigment-producing cells.

Vitiligo is a contagious disease. This is the biggest myth about vitiligo: it is a non-contagious disease. The patches can look scary to some, which leads them to think that they can spread by touching. However, this is not the case, and it cannot be spread by physical contact.

Conclusion

Vitiligo cannot be treated or cured fully, and hence, one needs to live with it. Well, society can be harsh to people who are different or look different due to their skin conditions, and it is not something to be ashamed of. All you have to do is get the right dermatologist and understand your body and skin requirements, and include diets that will help build your immune system stronger. Dietary consideration plays a supportive role in managing vitiligo. Taking a proper and nutritious diet (tailored to your personal and environmental needs) and avoiding excessive amounts of vitamin C can help you go a long way. Living with vitiligo involves more than just managing your diet and physical symptoms; it requires cultivating strong mental and emotional well-being. Hence, be kind to people around you going through these skin conditions.

This article provides information from an expert and is intended for general knowledge only. If you are experiencing skin issues, it is crucial to seek advice from a qualified professional to ensure appropriate care.