Vitiligo

Description

Vitiligo, Leucoderma, is a physically harmless but cosmetically unappealing depigmentation characterized by smooth, irregular white patches of areas of the Skin that have lost the ability to produce the natural skin pigment Melanin.  Vitiligo is sometimes regarded as a Photosensitivity Disorder.

Vitiligo occurs as a result of the loss/destruction of Melanocytes from regions of the Skin.  It has been speculated that Vitiligo occurs when the body develops Antibodies to its own Melanocytes and subsequently destroys them. People diagnosed with vitiligo should be checked for an Autoimmune Disease.

 Vitiligo affects 2% of persons.

 The incidence of Vitiligo peaks during childhood to mid-adult life.

Amides

 Piperine (applied topically) may alleviate Vitiligo.  ^[1]

Amino Acids

 Phenylalanine (consumed orally combined with 10% Phenylalanine solution applied topically and exposure to UV-A) may alleviate Vitiligo.  ^[2]

Carotenoids

 Canthaxanthin may help to restore normal Skin color to Vitiligo patients.  ^[3]

Digestive System Chemicals

 Vitiligo patients are often found to have sub-optimal levels of Hydrochloric Acid in their Stomachs and replenishment of Hydrochloric Acid (15 cc with each meal) may result in the cure of some cases of Vitiligo.  ^[4]