Bel Marra Health supports a recent study that says eye color can be a determining factor for vitiligo

(prHWY.com) May 16, 2012 - Pine Valley, PA -- Bel Marra Health, well known for offering high-quality, specially formulated vitamins and nutritional supplements, supports a recent study that says eye color can be a determining factor for vitiligo.

The study, which was published in Nature Genetics showed followed 450 people with and without the skin disease, taking into account their eye color. The group was selected randomly out of a pool of 3,200 Americans of non-Hispanic European ancestry.

The analysis identified 13 new genes that predispose people to vitiligo, and the results showed a significantly lower percentage of people with blue or gray eyes and a higher percentage of people with brown eyes had vitiligo.

Results showed that among the people with vitiligo: 27% had blue or gray eyes (compared with over half of Americans of European descent without the condition), 43% had tan or brown eyes vs. 27%, 30% had green or hazel eyes vs. 22%.

Spokesperson for Bel Marra Health, Dr. Victor Marchione commented on the findings, saying, "vitiligo is an autoimmune disease in which a person's immune system attacks normal pigment cells, causing irregular white patches of skin and hair. People with vitiligo are also at higher risk of developing other autoimmune diseases like autoimmune thyroid disease, type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus, so this information is very relevant."

Many people with vitiligo can feel depressed and start lacking confidence because of their white spots. Due to the intense mental stress felt among patients with vitiligo, there are a number of therapies available. The most proven techniques out of these are UV therapy and supplemental treatments.

CEO of Bel Marra Health Jim Chiang says, "There has been some success using light treatments. There are people who have used UVB lamps that have re-claimed pigmentation. There are also home lamps available that can eliminate the hassle of having to go to expensive UV light therapy sessions."

(SOURCE: "Huffington Post" Eye Color Linked With Risk For Vitiligo, Melanoma: Study. May 2012)

Bel Marra Health offers quality vitamins and nutritional supplements in formulations designed to address specific health concerns. All ingredients are backed with scientific evidence. Every product is tested for safety, quality, and purity at every stage of the manufacturing process. Furthermore, Bel Marra Health products are produced only in Health Canada approved facilities, going that extra mile to ensure our health conscious customers are getting top quality products. For more information on Bel Marra Health visit http://www.belmarrahealth.com or call 1-866-531-0466.

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