You are what you eat. We’ve heard that saying for years. This is especially true for those who suffer from vitiligo. For many, it would seem crazy to think that the skin disease they suffer from is somehow tied to their diet. However, experts have made the correlation and determined that changing your diet can cure vitiligo.
If you eat a lot of processed foods, you’re likely to get worse breakouts than someone who doesn’t eat processed foods. Processed foods are not rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants are useful in fighting diseases and food. In addition, fast foods are high in fats that tend to wear down the body and give it “stress”. Scientists have discovered that food allergies can contribute to vitiligo flare-ups. Now, different allergies do different things in the body. Some allergies cause the skin to break down, others affect the respiratory system. However, all of these allergic reactions will put “stress” on the body, causing new flare-ups of vitiligo or making existing ones worse. Other things to consider when thinking about your diet are: do you regularly eat spicy foods?
If you find that you need to adjust your diet, there are several things you can do. Eat more tofu and drop the food directly into the cocoa. Try to limit your gluten intake as much as possible. Reduce the spicy dishes you eat. Consult with a dietician. They will go over your eating habits. You will probably be tested for certain food allergies. If you test positive for any particular food, the dietitian will give you alternative foods to replace the food you are allergic to.
After going through the process of eliminating any foods that could cause additional breakouts, it’s time to add some foods that can help you in your battle against vitiligo. Fruits and vegetables are excellent sources of antioxidants. Antioxidants are essential to rid the body of free radicals. I’m not exactly sure what free radicals are, but I know we don’t want them.
Vitiligo sufferers will do almost anything to restore their skin pigmentation. Therefore, we hope that most will adapt when they discover that a change in diet can cure vitiligo. While we cannot guarantee that your vitiligo will go away as a result of dietary changes, we can assure you that a healthier body will be under less stress. Less stress on the body usually means less severe breakouts; or none at all. The best gift of all is when you are able to look in the mirror and discover that your vitiligo is disappearing. This is the best formula of all: healthier diet + less vitiligo = SMILE!
