Assessment of Dietary Supplementation in the Treatment of Vitiligo

A. Antioxidants

There is evidence to support an imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants in individuals affected by vitiligo. It has been proposed that an overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS), in combination with the inherent sensitivity of melanocytes to oxidative stress, may be a mechanism for melanocyte damage and death in vitiligo [9]. Yildirim et al. showed that activity levels of oxidative stress markers such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were significantly elevated in tissue samples of vitiligo patients [10]. SOD and GPx are enzymes involved in the breakdown of ROS, whereas MDA is produced via lipid peroxidation, often caused by the accumulation of ROS. Other studies observed significantly elevated serum levels of MDA and significantly lower serum levels of SOD, GPx, Vitamins C and E, and overall antioxidant activity in patients with this disease. Serum antioxidant levels were likely lower due to their use in quenching free radicals, whereas MDA was elevated due to the presence of ROS [11].

Imbalances in ox-redox status in vitiligo led to the use of antioxidant supplementation as adjuvant therapy. Oral supplementation with an antioxidant blend of Phyllanthus emblica fruit extracts, vitamin E, and carotenoids, combined with standard topical treatments and/or narrowband ultraviolet B (NBUVB) phototherapy, showed statistically significant increases in repigmentation compared to topical treatment and/or NBUVB alone. Lower levels of serum inflammatory markers were detected in the antioxidant treatment group as well [12].

Alpha-lipoic acid, an over the counter supplement, has also been shown to be beneficial as an adjuvant supplement. This substance acts as a free radical scavenger, lipoxygenase inhibitor, glutathione synthesis promoter, and a factor in the recycling of other antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E [13]. Similarly to the study above, a combination of vitamins C and E, alpha-lipoic acid, and polyunsaturated fats was used as antioxidant supplementation along with NBUVB phototherapy. A statistically significant increase in repigmentation and decrease in serum reactive oxygen species (ROS) was noted compared to NBUVB phototherapy alone [13].

Supplementation with vitamin E, an antioxidant known to prevent lipid peroxidation, has also been used as an adjunct to NBUVB phototherapy. Study results from Elgoweini et al. reported 72.7% repigmentation in the vitamin E-NBUVB group (n=12), compared to 55.6% repigmentation in the NBUVB phototherapy group (n=12). In particular, the average number of treatments required to achieve 50% repigmentation was significantly lower in the vitamin E supplementation group than the control group, indicating a more rapid repigmentation with the supplement [14]. Additionally, a significantly lower level of serum MDA was observed in the vitamin E group at the end of the study compared to the beginning, further supporting the value of antioxidant supplementation with traditional phototherapy treatment regimens for vitiligo [14]. Common foods high in vitamin E include sunflower seeds, almonds, hazelnuts, peanuts, oils from the aforementioned plants, and breakfast cereals [15]. Caution should be observed in using and recommending this supplement, as vitamin E has antiplatelet properties and should be used with care in patients with bleeding diathesis or recent surgical procedures. Additionally, vitamin E is lipid soluble, and overdose is a concern due to the complex metabolism and storage in the body. The recommended daily allowance and upper intake limit for vitamin E is found in Table 5 below.

Polypodium leucotomos extract (PLE) is another antioxidant used to treat dermatologic diseases. Derived from a fern native to Central and South America, this over the counter supplement has been used in the management of conditions including photodermatoses, vitiligo, pigmentary disorders, and as a photoprotectant [16]. PLE contains numerous phenolic compounds with potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and photoprotective properties [17-19]. The combination of NBUVB and oral PLE provided statistically significant increases in repigmentation in 50 patients with generalized vitiligo, compared to placebo with NBUVB phototherapy alone. The study concluded that 44% of the PLE treated patients experienced repigmentation, compared to 27% in the placebo group. In addition, decreased levels of IL-2, IFN-γ, and TNF-α were noted in the PLE group, indicating a downregulating effect on cell-mediated immunity [19]. This highlights the interplay between oxidative stress and autoimmunity in the pathogenesis of vitiligo, as well as the utility of oral PLE in disease management. Other studies have shown efficacy in repigmentation with PLE supplementation as well. Pacifico et al. supplemented NBUVB therapy with 480 mg oral P. leucotomos daily for 6 months, and reported increased repigmentation in the PLE group compared to phototherapy alone [20]. In addition, Reyes et al. studied the use of PLE with Psoralen and ultraviolet A (PUVA) treatment, and found that skin repigmentation was significantly higher in the PLE + PUVA group compared to the placebo + PUVA group [21]. Of note, a study by Nestor et al. evaluated the safety of PLE in twenty patients taking 240 mg of PLE daily, and reported an excellent safety profile for this dose range. Gastrointestinal discomfort and pruritus were the most commonly noted side effects [22].

Ginkgo biloba, a supplement available over the counter, is another antioxidant used in the treatment of vitiligo. Parsad et al. studied the efficacy of G. biloba oral supplementation in patients with slowly developing vitiligo lesions. The treatment group took 40 mg of G. biloba three times daily for a period of six months. The results indicated that G. biloba supplements significantly arrested disease progression compared to placebo, and increased repigmentation with few side effects [23]. A more recent open-label pilot study by Szczurko et al. showed significant improvement in Vitiligo Scoring Index (VASI) scores with 60 mg of G. biloba twice daily for 12 weeks in a total of 12 patients [24]. Additional studies are needed on a larger scale to replicate these findings and provide a better understanding of the mechanism and application of G. biloba in the treatment of vitiligo, although initial findings are promising. Of note to patients and physicians, serious side effects include intracranial hemorrhage and bleeding diathesis, due to the substance’s antiplatelet effect. G. biloba has also been known to interfere pharmacologically with anticoagulation medications. Clinical judgment and care should be used in the initiation of this treatment option [25].

For pediatric patients and those who do not desire supplementation in the form of a capsule, increased intake of foods with high antioxidant content is reasonable. Top dietary sources of antioxidants, modified by Wu et al. and reported by Hamzavi et al. are shown below (Table 1) [26, 27]. Although there is limited data correlating antioxidant consumption with health outcomes, these antioxidant-rich foods may be beneficial adjuncts in the treatment of vitiligo.

B. Gluten-free Diet

Autoimmune diseases often co-exist with vitiligo, as reported by Gill et al. [5]. A relationship between vitiligo and celiac disease has been proposed, although evidence has been controversial and incomplete.

Seyhan et al. analyzed children and adolescents with celiac disease, reporting that 9.1% of the patients were also diagnosed with vitiligo [28]. Following this evidence, Seyhan et al. observed that in a group of 61 patients with vitiligo (40 adults and 21 children), there was an 18% prevalence of concomitant celiac disease seropositivity, with a positivity of 23% in children and 15% in adults. However, the relationship was not statistically significant [29]. Additional studies of vitiligo and celiac disease have shown a statistically significant relationship between celiac disease autoantibodies in patients with vitiligo, although further evaluation is needed as this topic is highly controversial at this time [30].

Case reports have provided interesting, although limited, information regarding repigmentation of patients with vitiligo upon the initiation of a gluten-free diet. In one case report, a 9-year old child with celiac disease experienced extensive repigmentation over three years following the initiation of a gluten-free diet. Seven years later, with the continuation of the gluten-free diet, the repigmentation was maintained [31]. Another case report indicated that a 22-year old female with acrofacial vitiligo experienced significant repigmentation following the initiation of a gluten-free diet, even though she did not have celiac disease. After numerous topical medications and phototherapy failed to induce repigmentation, the elimination of gluten from her diet, in combination with previously initiated oral dapsone, led to rapid repigmentation, the majority of which occurred in the first month [32].

To manage patients with concomitant celiac disease and vitiligo, a gluten-free diet is recommended for the treatment of the celiac disease, and potential repigmentation of vitiligo. In cases of vitiligo where other treatment options have been exhausted, it may be reasonable to initiate a gluten-free diet.

C. Minerals: Zinc and Copper

The role of supplementation with minerals, such as Zinc (Zn) and Copper (Cu), is another area of interest in vitiligo, although results are controversial. Zinc is a trace element required for homeostasis, with a variety of roles in growth and development, immunomodulation, wound healing, behavior, and taste. It also plays a role in the protection against free radial damage and oxidant-antioxidant balance, as Zn is a required cofactor for SOD [33]. Copper is also an important mineral in homeostasis, with a similarly broad listing of roles in the body. Copper is also considered an antioxidant, as it acts as a coenzyme with antioxidant properties. Both Zn and Cu may also be involved in melanogenesis through the catalysis of eumelanin production [34]. Zinc may further contribute, as deficiencies in the Zn-α2-Glycoprotein (ZAG) have been reported in people with vitiligo. ZAG is involved in melanocyte proliferation and maturation, with decreased ZAG levels leading to melanocyte detachment. Additionally, treatment with topical corticosteroids, which causes repigmentation, has the ability to increase ZAG activity. Finally, ZAG has been linked to chromosome 7, which contains mutations in certain patients with generalized vitiligo [35, 36]. This theory has provided an additional basis for the study of Zn supplementation in patients with vitiligo.

Previous studies, such as that by Shameer et al., evaluated serum Zn levels in vitiligo patients, and found a significant relationship between low Zn levels and patients with the disease compared to controls [33]. A meta-analysis of Chinese vitiligo patients by Zeng et al. further explored the relationship between both Zn and Cu levels in this population of patients. Serum Cu and Zn were compared between the control and vitiligo patients, with vitiligo patients having significantly lower serum levels of both Cu and Zn compared to controls [34]. Although both of these studies indicate some relationship between serum Zn levels and vitiligo, other findings have determined no significant difference between Zn levels in vitiligo patients compared to controls, leaving this topic controversial [37].

With respect to treatment using oral Zn, Yaghoobi et al. studied a group of 86 patients with vitiligo, half of whom were treated with topical corticosteroid alone, while the other half was treated with topical corticosteroid plus oral zinc sulfate. A greater improvement in repigmentation was observed in the treatment group, although it was not statistically significant. Overall, this work provided evidence that the combination of topical corticosteroid and Zn sulfate supplementation was not superior to topical corticosteroid alone, although a positive correlation was observed [38]. Future studies should be continued with larger sample sizes to further understand this potential relationship, in addition to looking at the role Cu supplementation may play in the treatment of vitiligo. The recommended daily allowance and upper intake limits for Cu and Zn are found in Table 5, as well as foods rich in Cu and Zn in Tables 2 and 3.

D. Vitamin D

Vitamin D plays a variety of roles in the human body, including calcium and bone homeostasis, cell proliferation and growth, and melanogenesis. It is theorized that vitamin D plays an active role in melanogenesis, as this hormone is synthesized within the skin after exposure to UVB light, and perhaps involved in the maturation of melanocytes to produce melanin and undergo appropriate differentiation [39]. Vitamin D is also thought to play a role in immunomodulation, although the mechanism is not well understood. Studies have indicated the use of vitamin D in the treatment of autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus, diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis, although this topic is highly controversial [40].

In particular, Silverberg et al. studied the relationship between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and the presence of autoimmune diseases. It was found that very low 25-hydroxyvitamin D level (<15 ng/mL) in patients with vitiligo was associated with comorbid autoimmune disease, such as thyroid disease, Sjögren syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, alopecia areata, and inflammatory bowel disease [41].

Looking at serum levels of vitamin D in vitiligo from a different perspective, Sehrawat et al. analyzed the levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D in Indian patients with vitiligo throughout a 12-week phototherapy treatment consisting of three NBUVB sessions per week. Interestingly, all of the patients had sub-normal levels of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D at the start of the study, but throughout the course of NBUVB treatment, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels increased. Additionally, this group reported a significant improvement in VASI scores as repigmentation occurred throughout the treatment. Although the increasing trend of serum vitamin D levels was insignificant, this study provided interesting insight into the potential role of vitamin D in the repigmentation of vitiligo lesions, perhaps through the regulation of photo-induced melanogenesis [42].

Additional studies by Finamor et al. supported this theory, as they assessed the effect of long-term administration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D in the treatment of patients with vitiligo and psoriasis. Sixteen vitiligo patients were treated with 35,000 IU of 25-hydroxyvitamin D daily for six months, and as expected, measured serum levels of vitamin D increased significantly throughout the study. Additionally, eleven out of the sixteen patients with vitiligo experienced 25-75% repigmentation during this time period [43]. Increases in serum vitamin D levels were associated with corresponding repigmentation. This study raises the possibility of vitamin D supplementation as a treatment option for patients with vitiligo [43]. However, further studies are needed for a more complete understanding of the mechanism and clinical utility of vitamin D supplementation, as this topic is controversial and in need of further evidence. Of note, vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, which can reach toxic levels if ingested in excess. Toxicity is defined as vitamin D levels higher than 150 ng/mL, or the presence of associated symptoms such as hypercalcemia, nausea, constipation, or weakness. Although daily recommendations are controversial, toxicity is unlikely in an adult when taking doses less than 10,000 IU daily. Additionally, a safe daily limit, as recommended by the Institute of Medicine, is 4,000 IU daily for individuals older than 8 years of age [44, 45]. Table 4 and 5 lists the recommended daily allowance for vitamin D as well as foods rich in vitamin D.

E. Alternative Medicine

A variety of alternative treatment practices have been used as therapeutic remedies for vitiligo, although there is a paucity of clinical studies in the literature. Many of these treatments utilize herbs and extracts with photosensitizing properties in conjunction with natural sunlight to induce repigmentation. These practices include Ayurvedic, Unani, and Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) techniques [26].

Ayurvedic medicine was developed in India thousands of years ago and is still practiced today. This form of medicine takes a holistic approach toward the patient, incorporating spirit, body, mind, and emotions and often involves dietary modifications. Dietotherapy for vitiligo includes Saman Chikitsa, which consists of two parts, Kastha Aushadhi and Saman Chikitsa. Kastha Aushadhi uses herbal supplements as photosensitizing and blood-purifying treatments, whereas Rasa Shastra is a method of formulating combinations of herbs and minerals for immunosuppression. The list of herbs used in both is extensive, and the dosing and regimens are often Ayurvedic practitioner and pharmacy dependent, making it difficult to provide exact regimens. An additional form of Ayurvedic treatment for vitiligo is Sodhan Chikitsa, a method of purification of the body through the use of vomiting, purgation, enemas, and bloodletting. This practice involves the use of laxatives, bran, flaxseed, fruits, and many other dietary agents [26].

Unani medicine is derived from influences of Greek, Islamic, and Arabic cultures, and is practiced today in many parts of the Middle East, South Africa and regions of Asia. According to this practice, the human body is composed of the following four components: air, water, fire, and earth. An imbalance of these elements is thought to be the causative factor in illness and disease. Treatment regimens were developed surrounding this ideology. In addition to Iiaj Nafansi (psychotherapy), Unani medicine recommends the use of Iiaj Bil Ghiza (dietotherapy) for the treatment of vitiligo. Helpful foods according to this practice are listed as follows; warm, easily digestible foods, goat and bird meat, and digestive aids with meals. Additionally, the avoidance of fresh fish, fruits, vegetables, and foods high in fat is recommended, as these foods are theorized to cause an imbalance in the elements of the body [26].

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which was developed and practiced in China, views the human body as a combination of two opposing but complementary forces, the Ying and Yang. An imbalance in the Ying and Yang is thought to produce illness and disease. This practice uses a holistic approach in patient management, by combining physical, oral, and acupuncture practices in the management or prevention of disease. In particular, TCM dietary treatments for vitiligo include the use of herbal supplements, such as Golden Serpent fern extract in combination with NBUVB, Ginkgo biloba, and Xiaobai Mixture, a blend of walnut, flowers, black sesame, black beans, duckweed, Sweetgum fruit, and plums [26]. Chen et al. assessed the effectiveness of a combination of oral TCM with NBUVB therapy compared to NBUVB alone in a systematic review with meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. This study determined that in regards to repigmentation, CHM combined with phototherapy was superior to phototherapy alone in the treatment of vitiligo (p<0.00001) [46].

Supplementation regimens in these practices are difficult to quantify and not commonly used in the United States. Future studies are necessary and may further elucidate the role of alternative medicine in the management of vitiligo.