Analysis of Online Diet Recommendations for Vitiligo
Internet platforms have become a common source of information for individuals with skin diseases such as vitiligo, and the vitiligo community frequently turns to online sources for diet modifications that may be beneficial for their disease. In this study, our objective was to summarize information from the most frequently visited websites providing diet suggestions that reportedly affected vitiligo symptoms. Notable diet categories for food components included vitamins, fruits, omega-3 fatty acids, grains, minerals, vegetables, and nuts. Evidence supporting online dietary recommendations for vitiligo is limited in the published scientific literature. Further controlled clinical trials are warranted to assess the relationship between diet and vitiligo and evaluate the accuracy of online diet recommendations for vitiligo.
Practice Points
- There are numerous online dietary and supplement recommendations that claim to impact vitiligo but most are not authored by medical professionals or dermatologists.
- Scientific evidence supporting specific dietary and supplement recommendations for vitiligo is limited.
- Current preliminary data support the potential recommendation for dietary supplementation with vitamin D, vitamin B12, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids.
Minerals—Eight of 31 (26%) web pages suggested including zinc in the diet to improve vitiligo symptoms. A 2020 study evaluated how different serum levels of zinc in vitiligo patients might be affiliated with interleukin activity. Fifty patients diagnosed with active vitiligo were tested for serum levels of zinc, IL-4, IL-6, and IL-17.16 The results showed that mean serum levels of zinc were lower in vitiligo patients compared with patients without vitiligo. The study concluded that zinc could possibly be used as a supplement to improve vitiligo, though the dosage needs to be further studied and confirmed.16
Vegetables—Eleven of 31 (35%) web pages recommended leafy green vegetables and 13 of 31 (42%) recommended spinach for patients with vitiligo. Spinach and other leafy green vegetables are known to be rich in antioxidants, which may have protective effects against reactive oxygen species that are thought to contribute to vitiligo progression.17,18
Nuts—Walnuts were recommended in 11 of 31 (35%) web pages. Nuts may be beneficial in reducing inflammation and providing protection against oxidative stress.9 However, there is no specific scientific literature that supports the inclusion of nuts in the diet to manage vitiligo symptoms.
Comment
With a growing amount of research suggesting that diet modifications may contribute to management of certain skin conditions, vitiligo patients often inquire about foods or supplements that may help improve their condition.19 Our review highlighted what information was available to the public regarding diet and vitiligo, with preliminary support of the following primary diet components: vitamin D, vitamin B12, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids. Our review showed no support in the literature for the items that were recommended to avoid. It is important to note that 27 of 31 (87%) web pages from our online search were not authored by medical professionals or dermatologists. Additionally, many web pages suggested conflicting information, making it difficult to draw concrete conclusions about what diet modifications will be beneficial to the vitiligo community. Further controlled clinical trials are warranted due to the lack of formal studies that assess the relationship between diet and vitiligo.
