Spinach and Vitiligo – An Update on My Re-pigmentation Progress

Hi Viti-Friends!

I thought it was about time for an update on my progress, since it’s been awhile.

Freckling on My Right Shin

Since my last post about my left hand showing new pigmented spots, I have since noticed the same thing happening on my shins.

I’m not sure if it’s a coincidence, but I was telling my mom the other day that it seems like I noticed more freckling on my shins when I started eating 1 whole bag (about two cups) of frozen spinach every single day. I cook it of course 😉

This is interesting to me because I remember seeing this girl who claimed to be getting her pigment back by drinking green smoothies with spinach:

SPINACH! A Natural Vitiligo Treatment. by DanyelleReginia671

Well, it turns out that she was not lying.

Here’s what one study had to say about the antioxidant components contained in spinach:

Spinach contains several active antioxidant components, including flavonoids, p-coumaric acid derivatives, vitamin C and uridine, which are reported to act synergistically [5]. Spinach leaves contain about 1000–1200mg.kg−1 of total flavonoids [6, 7]. Flavonoids and other phenolic compounds act as antioxidants by the free radical scavenging properties of their hydroxyl groups, and are also effective metal chelators. Flavonoids also possess anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, anti-thrombotic, anti-carcinogenic and antiviral actions, which in part may be related to their free radical scavenging properties [8]…

I also came across another study that shows that spinach contains NAO – a natural water soluble antioxidant that is superior in its ability to combat ROS (reactive oxidant species). (source) 

ROS are believed to be involved in inflammatory skin diseases and hair graying. Much research has shown evidence of oxidative stress throughout the skin of patients with vitiligo due to large amounts of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) buildup.  The generation of ROS leads to oxidative stress.

So now I now I plan on eating organic spinach everyday!

My 2 New Skin Creams

I also started using a new skin cream made by Organix South called TheraNeem.

Here’s what they say about Neem on their website:

Neem has been used for thousands of years in Ayurvedic treatments, applications which have been validated in more than 100 studies in universities and research centers around the world.

Neem oil contains extraordinarily high levels of antioxidants, which help protect the skin from free radicals caused by over-exposure to sun, environmental toxins and other damaging elements.

Neem oil also contains high levels of fatty acids that soak in quickly to soothe and nourish even chronically dry and itchy skin…

I use the vanilla scented cream on my shins every night after I shower. It’s the ONLY thing that has been able to calm my severely dry, itchy skin. It has a bit of an odd smell, which I have grown to like actually. The first time my three year old little boy smelled it he said, “eeeww that’s stinky mama!” 

It’s really not that bad though, it’s just that neem smells a little like garlic – but the vanilla scent helps mask it. So be warned – it does smell different and it takes some getting used to. Like I said, I don’t mind it now…probably because it works SO well and is full of ingredients that are so good for my skin.

On top of the neem cream, I also put Dr. Wanakee’s Vitiligo Extra Strength Herbal Skin Cream. This cream also contains some very powerful antioxidant ingredients that not only combat oxidative stress, but also prevent damage from the sun.

This is important when you are doing sun exposure as I just mentioned, as the sun exposure itself can raise levels of ROS (reactive oxygen species) in the skin.

I have actually been applying her cream and oil three times a day and sitting in the sun for 15-30 minutes at a time (she recommends 30, but I sometimes only have time for 15), and I have been seeing lots of new freckles within the white spots on my hands and shins.

I will post more updates as I have them, in the meantime you can check out my progress page here.

p.s. The neem lotion link in this post is an affiliate link, which means I earn a very small commission if you decide to purchase the lotion through my link. This helps me pay for the cost of this blog so that I can continue writing it for you. I’m telling you about the neem lotion it’s what I personally use – and it is helping me so much. I thought you might be interested as well.