Functional nutrition as integrated approach in vitiligo management

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Medical Treatments

Background:

• Vitiligo is a common depigmentation disorder with unknown causes.
• It results in disfiguring white patches on the skin.
• Treatment aims to restore or eliminate pigment to reduce noticeability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current and experimental therapies for vitiligo.
• To highlight the role of diet and functional foods in vitiligo management.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing medical and experimental treatments for vitiligo.
• Inclusion of nutritional and dietary approaches as supportive therapy.

Main Results:

• Effective treatments include narrow-band ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) microphototherapy, excimer laser, and monochromatic excimer light.
• Medical treatments comprise topical corticosteroids, antioxidants, tacrolimus, pimecrolimus, prostaglandin E, and vitamin D derivatives.
• Functional foods and a healthy diet are recognized as potentially integral and helpful components of vitiligo therapy.

Conclusions:

• Vitiligo management benefits from a combination of advanced therapies and supportive nutritional strategies.
• Dietary interventions may play a supportive role in the overall treatment plan for vitiligo patients.