Vitiligo

The appearance of white patches on the skin surface without any other changes taking place is a condition commonly known as vitiligo. The melanocytes or the skin’s pigment cells for some reason stop the production of melanin, the pigment that gives human skin its color. The affected area contrast greatly with the other normal areas of the skin and becomes very noticeable, and vitiligo as a condition is usually noticed in the summer. Because of the loss of melanin, the vitiligo affected patch of skin becomes very easily affected by sunlight, since the role of the darkening of the skin is to protect against the effects of sunlight, the loss of pigment in effect means that the area of pigment less skin can be easily burned by incident sunlight. The condition has no particular time of occurrence and vitiligo may appear during adulthood or during childhood. Another interesting point is that in the regions of the skin that are affected with vitiligo, the parts of the skin that have hair follicles on them are the places where the production of melanin last longest.

Underlying autoimmune disorders like pernicious anemia, such as that induced by vitamin B12 deficiency, or the presence of an overactive thyroid, a metabolic disorder such as diabetes or even the presence of Addison's disease due to loss of cortisone, can all become causes for the appearance of vitiligo in an individual. Other physical deficiencies such as the depletion of gastric acids, leading to the poor absorption of nutrients and the presence of other digestive and stomach disorders may also induce the onset of vitiligo in an individual. Stomach acid depletion and loss is usually triggered by the heavy use of medications like antacids and other anti ulcer drugs, hereditary factors or even food allergies can also be responsible. Vitiligo is almost always present in people suffering from alopecia areata, which is a form of circular hair loss, and both conditions occur concurrently in an individual.

Supplements and herbs

Nutrient absorption and assimilation is the most vital process affected in the metabolism of a person with vitiligo, this comes about because of a depletion of gastric acids in the stomach of the affected individual. The loss of stomach acids can be made good by some form of acid supplementation and in those cases the condition of poor or impaired nutrient absorption can dramatically increases. Digestion can be improved with a resulting benefit to better nutrient uptake through the use of betaine HCI (hydrochloric acid). Because this supplement may affect the rate of production as natural HCI, and due to the possibility of over dependence on it, the supplementation with this acid is to be carried out only in the short term. The dosage can be lowered once it becomes the stomach burns or there is a warm sensation. Because of their deficiencies in the body, due to poor absorption in the stomach, supplements of the B complex vitamins are necessary and have been shown to be successful in treating vitiligo, when they are used as for prolonged periods of time. Some of the nutritional supplements like the amino acid glutamine, the enzyme pepsin, natural acids like apple cider vinegar and lemon juice, or even stomach bitters, vitamins like B5 and B6, ascorbic acid like vitamin C or PABA can all be used in individuals in whom genetic factors play a role, and these supplements will remedy the condition. These supplements are to be taken along with the diet, before or in the middle of each meal, and will greatly aid in the alleviation of the condition.

Before every meal, consume a tbsp. of apple cider vinegar or if you prefer a tsp. of Swedish bitters with some water, where you are very sure that the cause of the vitiligo is due to the loss of gastric acids in the stomach.

Additional things you may do

To restore normalcy in the functioning of the body, it is very important to exercise regularly and to take adequate rest and sleep at regular times, physical fitness will go a long way in combating the situation.

Usual dosage

• PABA, 50 mg a day
• Vitamin C, with bioflavonoids, 1,000 mg once a day
• Vitamin B complex, 50 mg thrice a day
• L-glutamine, 500 mg a day
• Betaine HCI, one capsule thrice a day

Other beneficial herbs

• Psoralea

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