Helpful Vitamins and Supplements for Vitiligo

Vitiligo is a disorder of skin pigmentation characterized by progressively widening areas of depigmented skin.

There are vitamins and supplements that can be taken along with other therapies to help improve the condition of Vitiligo.

Vitamins for Vitiligo

Given the fact that a significant number of people with vitiligo show low levels of vitamin C, vitamin B12, and Folic Acid, and considering the importance of these and other vitamins, a supplement that includes the main vitamins and minerals is recommend.

• Vitamin A - keeps epithelial tissues healthy, and is necessary for the development of cells into their specialised forms. Vitamin A also plays a role in maintaining the immune system.
• Vitamin C - helps strengthen the body's defence system. It plays a vital role in the formation of collagen which is necessary to keep your bones, teeth and skin healthy
• Vitamin E - is an antioxidant and protects molecules and cell membranes in the human body against the destructive effects of oxygen-containing free radicals. It plays a key role in the functioning of the immune system.
• Vitamin B12 - is known as the vitamin that prevents pernicious anaemia. This deficiency is associated to Vitiligo in some cases.
• Zinc - is a component of many enzymes some of them related to the normal function of the immune system; and is involved in the metabolism of certain vitamins.
• Copper - is involved in the synthesis of connective tissue in the skeleton and blood vessels, it plays a role in the functioning of the immune system. It's important for the pigmentation of skin, hair and eyes. It takes part in the process of repigmentation. It is also an antioxidant.

Herbs for Vitiligo

An extract from khella (Ammi visnaga) is so far the only herb found to be useful in vitiligo.

Khellin, the active constituent, appears to work like psoralen drugs-it stimulates repigmentation of the skin by increasing sensitivity of remaining pigment-containing cells (melanocytes) to sunlight.  Another herb that may prove useful for vitiligo is St. John's wort. As with khella, it increases the response of the skin to sunlight.

Natural Supplement - Callumae

Callumae, Progressive Health's extremely active Vitiligo formula, has been specifically designed to support immunological functioning and the skin's natural pigmentation processes.

Whether used alone, or in combination with your current treatment regime, Callumae may work to slow the progression of Vitiligo and help restore normal skin pigmentation.

Research indicates that the ingredients found in Callumae can benefit all vitiligo sufferers, especially when combined with ultraviolet light therapies.

Clinical trials have shown that many important vitamins are lacking in a large number of vitiligo patients, including Folic Acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 - nutrients responsible for pigmentation, energy metabolism, and nervous system function.

A few ingredients in Callumae are:

• Picrorhiza (Picrorhiza kurroa)- This medicinal plant has a long tradition of use for immune dysfunction in Ayurvedic medicine, which may be beneficial to patients with vitiligo.
• Ginkgo biloba- Oxidative stress appears to play a role in the pathogenesis of vitiligo, making antioxidant compounds useful in the treatment of this disorder.
• Vitamin B6- This essential vitamin plays a critical role in energy metabolism, nervous system function and immunity. Vitamin B6 is often given empirically for people with autoimmune disease.
• Vitamin B12 and Folic Acid- A clinical study of patients with actively spreading vitiligo was conducted where subjects took a combination of vitamin B12, folate and vitamin C along with UVB treatments.
  
  The results showed that 100% of subjects had a halt in depigmentation, and induction of repigmentation in 6-8 weeks.
• Khellin- An extract of Ammi visnaga, khellin is similar to the conventional vitiligo drug methoxsalen. Khellin is as effective as conventional PUVA therapy when combined with UVA (either artificial or solar), and does not cause adverse effects like PUVA.
  
  Khellin appears to stimulate growth and production of melanocytes (skin pigment producing cells).
• L-Phenylalanine- Clinical research shows that this amino acid produces good results in both children and adults with vitiligo, when combined with light therapy.
  
  A combination of oral and topical L-phenylalanine, sunlight or UVA and 0.025% clobetasol proprionate at night is especially effective for treatment of evolutive vitiligo on the face or in children, and is without side effects.

For a complete list of ingredients Click Here.