Viltiligo is a skin disorder where white patches appear on different parts of the body. The patches occur because the skin is unable to manufacture the pigment melanin in certain areas. The exact cause is unknown but some research has found that the natural remedy Ginkgo Biloba could help get rid of the patches or prevent the condition getting worse.

About 1 % of the population worldwide suffer with the condition. Although the late Michael Jackson was said to have suffered with vitiligo it is doubtful that he actually had the disorder. It seems more likely that he blamed it for the whiteness of his skin which reportedly was bleached. What he did do however was highlight the psychological problems that sufferers often have because of the disease.

What is the cause of vitiligo?

What prevents the melanocytes producing melanin, is a question that researchers have so far been unable to answer conclusively although a number of causes have been put forward. It is thought that a number of factors may be involved from auto-immune disease, low thyroid or overactive thyroid conditions, inflammatory and free radical damage, genetic and environmental factors.

Much of the research has taken place on Ginkgo Biloba over the past 10 years has been on its antioxidant effects. The research shows that the leaves contain two powerful antioxidants, flavonoids and terpenoids, that fight dangerous free radicals which damage cells and body tissues. It has also been discovered that it can have powerful effects on modulating the immune system.

Repigmentation with Ginkgo Biloba

In one study dermatologists from India gave Ginkgo Extract 40mg three times a day to 52 patients in a double blind placebo-controlled trial. This means that the participants could receive the real extract or another substance that would have no effect and neither the doctors nor the patients would know what they had received until the end of the trial. The study revealed that vitiligo was stopped in 80% of the group who received the Ginkgo and 40% experienced extensive repigmentation.

In a recent review of the natural remedies that had been used for the treatment of vitiligo only Ginkgo Biloba showed promise according to the researchers. A new study at the University of Toronto will be completed by November of this year.

Avoid cheap products

If you decide to try Ginkgo Biloba it is important to take a standardized extract that contains 24 % ginkgoflavonoglycosides to get the effects. There are many cheap ginkgo biloba products on the market that do not use standardized extract but they are likely to be ineffective. The dose is 40 mg of a standardized extract of the herb three times a day. But be aware that it has caused some gastric upset, headache and dizziness in a few people.

Nutritional solutions

There is also some evidence that an unusually high dose of Folic Acid 10 mg and 2000 mcg. of Methyl B12 together with a very nutritious diet may help restore pigmentation. The addition of B6, 1 gram Vitamin C daily, zinc and manganese, digestive enzymes and hydrochloric acid to ensure digestion and absorption of nutrients has helped in the improvement of vitiligo.

It can take up to three months to notice some improvement but it is likely to take up to 2 years for complete repigmentation to occur with continuous supplementation. So Ginkgo Biloba may be the first natural remedy to try for vitiligo.

Astaxanthin is an exciting natural and very powerful antioxidant. It is a carotenoid, a pigment that is responsible for the red coloration in salmon, trout, lobsters, shrimp, flamingoes and red ocean plants. Commercially it is extracted from microalgae. It has a lot of uses as an antioxidant from boosting immune system function, protecting against heart disease, eye and degenerative brain damage, and as a natural health remedy to promote tanning and prevent sunburn.

How can it do all this?

Much of the damage that occurs in the body is from free radical activity. Free radicals are unstable molecules that occur as a result of normal processes in the body such as metabolism but can also occur as a result of pollution, sunlight, strenuous exercise, X-rays, smoking and alcohol. They cause damage to cells, proteins and DNA, the bodies genetic blueprint. The damage caused to skin cells can result in skin cancers.

The body has its own antioxidant system to help counteract the activity of free radicals but it relies on having enough of the right nutrients in the body to function. The system is not perfect and the amount of free radicals generated can often exceed the capacity of the body’s own antioxidant system so cell damage occurs. Increasing antioxidants in the body by taking them as supplements is one way of trying to prevent free radical damage.

The antioxidant power of Astaxanthin

Many studies have shown that natural Astaxanthin, pronounced Asta-zan-thin, is probably the most powerful antioxidant ever studied. It is much more powerful than Vitamin C, E and betacarotene, a combination that is often used in antioxidant supplements.

Astazanthin was originally used in fish farming to give salmon a deeper pink color that shoppers looked for and the fish farmers noticed that the fish had healthier immune systems and lived longer.

So what has this got to do with sunburn prevention?

Sunburn is caused when the body cannot make enough melanin, a skin pigment, to protect the skin from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) light. Melanin is an amazingly powerful antioxidant that absorbs the ultraviolet light. The inability to make enough melanin in the skin to protect it from sunburn is down to lack of nutrients. Many nutrients are probably involved but it is known that the amino acid L-tyrosine with copper and Vitamins E & D improve the body’s ability to produce melanin.

Small amounts of UV light are beneficial as it enables the body to make Vitamin D. If you use sunscreen and avoid the sun then you may be deficient in Vitamin D which is essential to prevent certain cancers. Many health conscious individuals want to avoid the chemicals in the majority of sunscreen preparations that cause additional free radical damage, disrupt hormones, and are toxic to the human body.

Because of its extraordinary antioxidant power Astaxanthin acts as a fantastic internal sunscreen to prevent your skin from burning even when exposure is excessive although that is not recommended. It can also protect your eyes from the damaging rays of the sun. It does however, take time to build up the antioxidant protection in your skin. It may take 2 – 4 weeks to build up adequate sun protection.

Antioxidants from your diet provide additional protection

Antioxidants and other substances in fresh fruit and vegetables can help protect you from sunburn too. Lutein in green leafy vegetables and lycopene from tomatoes were found to be protective in studies. Betacarotene found in orange and red vegetables and fruit can help repair skin damaged skin and prevent DNA damage that leads to skin cancers.

Onions and garlic provide selenium, an important mineral involved in the bodies own antioxidant system. Green tea contains substances that have anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects that prevent skin aging and skin cancers.

Other research suggests that supplementing with omega-3 fatty acids reduces skin inflammation caused by UV rays and helps protect the skin cells.

So if you usually suffer from sunburn and want to avoid damaging sunscreens a combination of the right foods in your diet and the power of Astazanthin can provide you with excellent natural antioxidant protection from sunburn.