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All about melasma.

melasma nutrients preconception pregnancy ttc

I’ve been getting tons of questions about melasma, so let’s talk about it!

Just in case you’re not familiar with melasma, it’s hyperpigmentation (discoloration, usually darker) of the skin in specific areas of the body, such as forehead, upper lips, cheeks, nose, chin and even neck, arms or back. It looks like 

The jury isn’t officially out on what causes melasma. But, there are definitely triggers associated with the melasma and flare ups, including:

⇝ Estrogen dominance

⇝ Birth control pills

⇝ Hormone therapy

⇝ Pregnancy

⇝ Stress

⇝ Sun exposure

⇝ Hypothyroidism

One not-so-well-known driver is mineral imbalance. High levels of “unbound” Copper have been linked to hyperpigmentary disorders like melasma. (Rani et al)

Very interestingly, estrogen increases our ability to absorb Iron, by up to 3X (and up to 9X when we’re pregnant). (Peat) This can sometimes exceed our ability to manage Iron with “bound” Copper.

While there are many angles to melasma, there are a few things we can do to support it.

➤ Consume enough fat-soluble vitamins, especially Vitamin A. See my post on this.

➤ Consume sources of bioavailable Copper like liver and shellfish.

➤ Maximize progesterone production by eating adequate calories, balancing blood sugar, prioritizing vitamin and mineral-rich foods and getting sufficient rest!

➤ Consider blood donation, especially if you’re not cycling.

➤ Protect yourself in the sun by wearing hats or clothing to cover the areas affected.

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Not medical advice.

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This is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare professional before pursuing any changes to your personal healthcare regime.

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References

Brighten, J. (2019). Beyond the Pill. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers.

Cobb, C. (2019). Melasma. Retrieved from: https://www.healthline.com/health/melasma.

East West Healing. What Are Liver Spots? Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eaul3iuKMOg.

Goodarzi, A. Behrangi, E. Sadeghzadeh-Bazargan, A. Roohaninasah, M. Hosseini-Baharanchi, F.S. Shemshadi, M. Vafaei, E. (20200. The Association Between Melasma and Iron Profile: a Case-Control Study. Retrieved from: https://romj.org/2020-0202#:~:text=Abstract%3A,anemia%20and%20vitamin%20B12%20deficiency..

Peat, R. (1975). A Biophysical Approach to Altered Consciousness. Retrieved from: http://orthomolecular.org/library/jom/1975/pdf/1975-v04n03-p189.pdf.

Peat, R. (2006). Iron’s Dangers. Retrieved from: https://raypeat.com/articles/articles/iron-dangers.shtml.

Rani, R. Sarin, R.C. Singh, G. (1978). Serum Copper, Ceruloplasmin and Non Ceruloplasmin Copper Levels in Hyperpigmentary Disorders. Retrieved from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28266452/.

 

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Remember: this post is for informational purposes only and may not be the best fit for you and your personal situation. It shall not be construed as medical advice. The information and education provided here is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. Always check with your own physician or medical professional before trying or implementing any information read here. While the owner of this website tries to keep the information up to date, there may be things that are out-of-date and out of their control.