How to Avoid Scleroderma With Vitamins
Scleroderma is sometimes talked of as if it were a single disease, but it is actually symptomatic of a group of diseases. It is characterized by an abnormal growth of collagen in the connective tissues that support the skin and internal organs. It can appear as hard, tight skin, but it can also cause problems with the kidneys, lungs and cardiovascular system. No one is sure what causes the overproduction of collagen, but it appears to be related to the body's immune system. The University of Maryland Medical Center observes that people who suffer from scleroderma may not get enough vitamins and minerals in their diet.
Instructions
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Consult with your health care provider regarding the best diet for scleroderma prevention. Inform him or her of all food supplements and medications you are currently taking. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, this is particularly important for people who suffer from some impairment to their gastrointestinal system.
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Incorporate antioxidant-rich foods such as blueberries, cherries, tomatoes, squash and bell peppers into your diet. Cut back on red meats in favor of more lean meats and rely more on cold-water fish and beans for protein. Talk with your health care provider regarding the advisability of supplementing your diet with a daily multiple vitamin that includes the antioxidant vitamins A, C, E and the B-complex.
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Supplement your diet with omega-3 fatty acids, which help improve circulation and may help improve tolerance to cold and other symptoms of Raynaud's phenomenon, which is one form of scleroderma. Cold-water fish and commercially available fish oil capsules are good sources of omega-3 fatty acids.
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Talk with your health care provide about the potential benefits of adding herbal supplementation to your diet to help prevent scleroderma. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, few studies have been conducted on the relationship between herbs and scleroderma, but certain herbs such as turmeric, bromelain and gotu kola may help reduce inflammation and pain while improving circulation.
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Tips & Warnings
According to the Scleroderma Foundation, scleroderma is not contagious, infectious, cancerous or malignant and is usually not hereditary. The exact cause or causes are still unknown.
There are no clinical studies that indicate vitamin supplementation will prevent scleroderma.
