Nails and Your Health

During a health check up, your doctor may examine your nails, which will often reflect not only the state of your health, but also what you're been eating -- and what you're lacking.

Thin, peeling nails, or nails with white spots or ridges, mean your body is running short of zinc. You should incorporate more legumes, beans, mushrooms, brewer's yeast, and whole grains into your meals.

Are your nails spoon -shaped or fluted ? This may signal a lack of iron and/or vitamin A. Load up on your greens, sprouts, carrots, melon and pumpkin. Eat small portions of iron -rich liver and other red meat.

Brittle nails may be a sign that you need more biotin, which is found in yeast, mushrooms, grapefruit, watermelon, bananas, and strawberries. It could also mean you need more iron --easily obtained from red meat, greens and carrots --or that you lack zinc.

Fragile nails and nails that show horizontal or vertical ridges could mean a deficiency in vitamin B. Carrots, spinach, brown rice, melon, and walnuts are good, natural sources.

Poor nail growth could mean you're not getting enough zinc. Hangnails can be painful and look red and inflamed. You may want to try adding foods that are high in folic acid like barley, bran, legumes, lentils, and mushrooms, vitamin C could also help: orange, citrus, guava, amla, and all green vegetables are good sources. Avoid taking supplements to improve nail health as too much of any single vitamin could also lead to brittle and fragile nails. Get your vitamin from food. When you nourish your whole body, nails will automatically begin to look healthier.

~ Information found at HandFootcare.com

NOTE: ALWAYS consult your doctor for professional health advice if you have any questions or concerns.