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Nail Problems
Your nails protect the nerves concentrated in the
fingertip and toes. Nails are part of the outer layer of skin and are made
of a protein called keratin. Healthy nails are pink which indicates a good
blood supply. Changes or or abnormalities in your finger or toe nails
likely indicate nutritional deficiencies and may also indicate a more
serious health problem (see below).
|
Nutrient / Supplement |
Importance
( 1 - 10 ) |
Helpful notes |
|
vitamin B complex |
7 |
Low vitamin B intake results in fragile
and brittle nails. |
| Essential fatty acids |
9 |
Aid in the health of skin
and nails. They also help to relieve many inflammation problems that
occur around the nails. Fatty acids are found in omega fatty acids
from fish oil, flax seed oil, and borage seed oil. The fatty acids
work well with the amino acid called L-methione. |
Multi-vitamin and
Mineral
supplement |
10 |
contains vitamin D, calcium,
vitamin B , vitamin A, magnesium, and zinc which all are helpful for
people with nail and skin health problems. The supplemental nutrients
are also required for general good health and well being. |
|
vitamin A |
9 |
deficiency in vitamin A can causes
dryness and brittle nail. Vitamin A also helps the body process
protein. Problems processing protein may cause hangnails and other
skin related problems. |
|
Carotenoids |
9 |
work with vitamin A |
|
vitamin C |
9 |
a lack of vitamin C can cause hang nails |
| Bioflavonoids |
9 |
work with vitamin C |
|
vitamin D |
9 |
enhances calcium absorption in the body
and the mineral calcium is needed to prevent brittle and dry nails. |
| Horsetail |
8 |
this herb helps the body use calcium
properly and it is good for the flexibility of the fingernails and
toenails. |
| Ginkgo biloba |
8 |
herb that helps with circulation
problems and is also good for brain and memory function |
|
Calcium |
8 |
needed for proper healthy nail growth.
Note a good calcium supplement may also contain magnesium and boron.
Coral calcium is good as it is easily absorbed. (see Calcium Coverage
below) |
|
Zinc |
8 |
this mineral helps with absorption of
both minerals and enzymes. It has been shown that not getting enough
zinc may cause white spots on the finger or toe nails. |
| |
NAIL PROBLEMS - DIAGNOSING
Changes or problems with
your finger or toe nails can be a warning of many different health
problems or disease. Often, nail changes will occur before other
symptoms start. The following table give some help in checking your
nail health.
GOOD SUPPLEMENTS TO TRY
|
NAIL CONDITION |
HEALTH PROBLEMS |
| Black,
splinter like bits under the nails |
may indicate
infectious endocarditis, a serious heart infection, other
cardiovascular or
heart disease, or a bleeding disorder.
|
| Brittle
nails |
may
indicate a
thyroid problems, impaired kidney function, and/or
circulation problems. Brittle, soft, shiny nails without a moon
may indicate an overactive thyroid known as
hyperthyroidism. |
| Bumps
on Nails |
Person may
have
rheumatoid arthritis |
| Dark
nails (thin, flat, spoon-shaped nails) |
normally
indicate a vitamin B12 deficiency or
anemia.
Nails can also turn gray or dark if the hands are placed in
chemicals such as cleaning supplies (like bleach) or something
you are allergic to. |
| Deep
blue nail beds |
indicate
possible pulmonary health problem such as
asthma or
emphysema. |
|
Downward curving nail ends |
may denote
heart, liver, or lung / respiratory problems. |
| Flat
nails |
can
indicate person has Raynaud's disease |
|
Greenish nails |
normally a
fungal infection, can also indicate an internal bacterial
infection. |
|
Half-white nail with dark spots at the tip points |
person may
have
kidney disease |
| Nails
that break easy (chip, peel, crack) |
indicate a
poor nutrition, insufficient hydrochloric acid, and protein in
the diet. As well as deficiency in minerals. |
| Nails
raised at the base, with small, white ends |
may
indicate a respiratory disorder like emphysema or bronchitis.
This type of nail problem can be inherited as well. |
| Pitted
Red-brownish spots and split ends |
indicate
psoriasis
and the person probably needs vitamin C, folic acid, and
protein. |
| Red
skin around the cuticles |
can be
indicate poor metabolism of essential fatty acids or may
indicate the person has Lupus. |
|
Vertical ridges on nails |
indicate
poor general health, poor nutrient absorption, and the ridges
may also indicate a
kidney
disorder. |
|
Horizontal ridges on nails |
can
indicate severe stress (both psychological or physical). Person
is also more vulnerable to arthritis. |
| Thick
nails |
indicate
that the person's cardiovascular system is weakening and the
blood is not circulating good. May also indicate thyroid
disease. |
| White
nails |
indicate
possible liver disease or kidney disease, anemia. If the white
nails have pink near the tips then
cirrhosis of the liver may be indicated. |
| Yellow
nails |
indicate
internal health problems such as: lymphatic system, respiratory
disorders,
diabetes, and liver disease. |
OTHER CHANGES TO
MAKE
- drink steam distilled water (6-8 glasses a day)
- avoid drinking alcohol
- avoid saturated fats and fried foods they stress the liver
- eat high fiber diet (brown rice and millet are good)
- make sure to get vitamin A, C, and E
- reduced sugar, candy, etc...
- avoid caffeine, hydrogenated oils, fried foods, meat, soft drinks
- reduce dairy products in your diet
- fasting a few days a month
- for healthy nails make sure you are getting enough protein
- keep nails shorter
- do not cut your cuticles
Next
Home Made Recipes for Nails
!The
Nutrients Your Body Needs for Healthy, Shiny Hair, Radiant Skin &
Strong Nails - click here to find out more! |
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