Hello and welcome back! Today, I want to talk about nail health, how to improve it, why it’s important and how it’s going to benefit you.
Why Is Nail Health Important?
Putting aside aesthetics and professionalism etc. Nail health is a great indicator of your overall health and well-being. Many nutrient deficiencies can be seen in the health of your nails first, as well as some more serious medical conditions (not that we want to go diagnosing ourselves).
Number 1 To Improve Nail Health
Of course, with everything physical health related, we begin with my “drink your water!” lecture. In your average healthy person 18% of your nail plate is comprised of water! Dehydration is the leading cause of many nail issues such as brittle, splitting and fragile nails.
How To Know If Your Nails Are Healthy
- They’re pink, smooth, and groove-free. Healthy nails should be smooth, without ridges, bumps, or dents.
- They bend but don’t break (usually) Nails are one of the areas of the body most exposed to external aggressions.
- Their texture stays consistent.
- They’re hydrated.
(Above list is from https://www.isdin.com/us/blog/beauty/how-to-check-for-healthy-nails/)
The Mayo Clinic gives a great outline of do’s and don’ts for healthy nails. They also give great descriptors of what’s “Normal” and “Not Normal” for nail health, allowing you to identify signs that you may want to see a Dr. or Healthcare practitioner about the symptoms. It’s a short read but a good read. I’ve linked it below.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/nails/art-20044954
The article below by health line summarizes not only why changes to your nails may be happening but how you can treat and improve them. They say that most common nail issues are cause by malnutrition and poor digestion. So, these are things you may want to focus on improving for your overall health and well-being.
https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/healthy-nails
Products to help improve your nail health
- Nail and cuticle cream (Nuxe Brand is amazing!)
- Nail and cuticle oils (I love the Essie Apricot nail and cuticle oil)
- Nail strengthener (Every brand makes a strengthener/hardener I currently use the Sally Hansen brand)
Foods To help Improve Nail Health
- Leafy greens (Folate, Calcium and iron)
- Eggs (Vit D)
- Meat & Fish (Protein, Omega 3’s and collagen)
- Beans, legumes & tofu (B7’s, protein, biotin)
- Carrots & Yellow veggies (Vit A and beta carotene)
- Healthy fats: avocado, oils, nuts and seeds (Magnesium & unsaturated fats)
- Berries (Antioxidants)
- Bone broth (Collagen & easily-digestible protein)
- Whole grains (magnesium)
Supplement’s That Might Help Improve Nail Health
Here’s the thing with supplement’s TALK TO YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER ABOUT THEM Get blood work to look for deficiencies, do NOT begin taking a supplement especially one that someone has tried to sell you on without first doing your research and ensuring your Dr. or practitioner approves.
You may also notice the heading specifies “might” help improve nail health. not all vitamins and supplement’s are created equal and not all bodies process them efficiently enough to get the amount they need to see any improvement. That’s why it’s recommended to get as much of your daily nutrients directly from your food. With that said: Here is a list of good nail health vitamins and minerals.
(PSA: You’ll notice I don’t mention any combinations, brands or additional supplement’s. Just the basics on their own. Multivitamins, brands and other supplement’s are NOT in my scope of practice to recommend and anyone who does recommend them aside from just giving their own personal review/experience to try and sell them to you etc. Is uneducated, guilty of malpractice, or lying to you for profit. Even some health care professionals will push products that sponsor them. Not all, but some. So be cautious and know what to look for. Stay away from trends and brands trying to sell you something.)
- Biotin
- Zinc
- Magnesium
- Iron
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin B12
- Omega 3’s
- Vitamin C
- Protein
- Vitamin E
Thank you for reading about Nail Health & Why You Want to Focus On It! I appreciate any input you may have!
You can also find me at the following! Youtube, Tiktok and Instagram.
Much love always <3 Ky
