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NAIL PROBLEMS

FOODS THAT HEAL

  • Lean meat
  • Poultry
  • Fish, especially salmon and mackeral
  • Citrus fruits
  • Dried apricots
  • Dark green leafy vegetables
  • Fortified and enriched cereals and breads
  • Legumes
  • Peas
  • Flaxseed oil

    WHO’S AFFECTED

  • Those who overuse harsh nail products
  • People with nutritional deficiencies, such as protein or iron
  • Those with underlying medication conditions such as lung disorders or infections
    Most nail problems stem from abuse— everything from picking and biting to overuse of polish removers, glues, and other harmful chemicals
    In some instances, however, unhealthy nails actually reflect a nutritional deficiency or an underlying medical problem

    Old School

    Gelatin, calcium, or zinc supplements aid nail health

    New Wisdom

    Gelatin lacks the amino acids to give nails strength
    And nails contain very little calcium or zinc

    Nutrition Connection

    Here are a few guidelines for healthy nails: Bulk up on protein
    To make keratin, a strong protein that’s a major component in skin, hair, and nails, the body needs high-quality protein from lean meat, poultry, fish, seafood, and other animal products
    A combination of grain products and legumes will also supply complete protein
    Add iron-rich foods
    A common nutrition-related nail problem involves iron-deficiency or other anemias, in which the blood does not deliver adequate nutrients to the nails
    Increasing the consumption of iron-rich foods—lean meat, poultry, eggs, seafood, dried apricots, and fortified and enriched cereals and breads—may be enough to cure mild iron-deficiency anemia
    A doctor should be consulted, however, to determine whether the anemia is caused by other nutritional deficiencies or to chronic hidden bleeding
    Never self-treat with iron supplements; they can lead to toxicity and many other serious problems
    Check C levels
    Vitamin C helps the human body absorb iron from plant sources
    Thus, a balanced diet should include citrus fruits and a variety of other fresh fruits and vegetables
    Try folate
    Some types of anemia that affect the nails are caused by a deficiency of folate, an essential B vitamin
    Whole grains, legumes, dark green leafy vegetables, peas, nuts, and orange juice are good sources of folate and other important B vitamins
    Add more essential fatty acids
    If your nails are brittle or flaking, the solution may be increasing your levels of essential fatty acids
    These are found in foods such as fatty fish and flaxseeds
    Make your nails as strong as a horse’s hooves
    Long ago, veterinarians discovered that biotin strengthened horses’ hooves, which are also made from keratin
    Swiss researchers found that people who took 2
    5 mg of biotin a day for 5
    5 months had firmer, harder nails
    In a U
    S
    study, 63% of people taking biotin for brittle nails experienced an improvement

    Beyond the Diet

    Keep your nails hydrated
    Rub a small amount of petroleum jelly, castor oil, or olive oil into your cuticle and the skin surrounding your nails every evening before you go to bed or whenever your nails feel dry
    Wear rubber gloves whenever you do housework or wash dishes
    Most household chores, from gardening to scrubbing the bathroom to washing dishes, are murderous on your nails
    To protect your digits from dirt and harsh cleaners, cover them with vinyl gloves whenever it’s chore time