FINGERNAIL PROBLEMS

FINGERNAILS REVEAL A LOT about you and your state of health. Many people are careless about their nails. They use them instead of tools, they immerse them in harsh soaps and detergents, they hit them or snag them accidentally, they overexpose them to the elements. But even people who take good care of their nails often have problems with brittle, cracked, and breaking fingernails, conditions that may be helped by diet or nutritional supplements.

Fingernails, which protect the multiple nerve endings in the fingertips, are composed of a protein called keratin. They grow at the rate of about one-eighth inch a month, which means it can take up to three months to grow a new nail. The healthy nail should be smooth, and tile nail bed underneath should be pink, indicating a healthy blood supply. A very pale or blue nail bed, or nails streaked with either white or red may be indicative of poor circulation or disease. If you’re in overall good health but your nails keep breaking and splintering, try to determine the reason for their poor condition.

The most frequent cause for problem fingernails is overexposure to the elements and harsh chemicals. Every time your nails get wet they swell, then shrink again when they dry off. This swell-shrink cycle, when repeated often enough, leaves your nails brittle and fragile. Cold weather and dry, heated rooms cause a variety of problems, from brittle nails to dry skin and cuticles. Harsh nail products such as nail polish remover and the glue used to attach artificial nails can also be harmful. You should try not to use nail polish remover more than once a week and look for one that contains acetates, which are less drying than acetones. A manicure itself, if it involves cutting the cuticle, can cause lasting damage to the nail as well as the nail bed, which relies on the cuticle for protection against damage and infection.

The best thing you can do for your nails is use a pair of rubber gloves for any project that involves soaking your hands in water or cleansers, if you do get your hands wet, dry them off thoroughly and apply a moisturizing lotion, rubbing it in around the fingertip and nail area. Lotions that contain at least 10 percent urea (this will be indicated on the tube) work particularly well. Apply more lotion before putting on your winter gloves, and again before going to bed. In addition, rub in some cuticle cream, available in pharmacies, whenever you have the chance, massaging the nail area to stimulate circulation and growth.

I had a patient who was a copywriter for a major advertising agency. She was generally in good health, but she mentioned in passing that her nails drove her crazy because they were brittle and her cuticles were rough. I gave her advice about lotions and cuticle creams. When I saw her a few mouths later, her nails were in perfect condition. She’d developed the habit of keeping a tube of cuticle cream next to her computer. Whenever she was stumped or waiting for something to print, she’d rub a bit of cream on her nails. She told me that she also kept some cream in tile glove compartment of her car: When her husband was driving, she worked on her cuticles. She was delighted with the results, and I pass her tip along to you: Keep some cuticle cream in any spot where you’re likely to have time or opportunity to use it.

It will take several weeks of these new patterns to bear fruit: Remember that it takes up to three months for a new nail to grow in. If there is no improvement, your nails may not be receiving the nutrients they need. There is some controversy on this point, but I have found supplements very helpful, particularly for pregnant women or people on a low calorie diet. Before I recommend supplements I examine my patients for other signs of nutritional deficiency, since poor, brittle nails may be tile first outward sign of more serious problems. For instance, poor nail condition, when accompanied by thinning hair and overall feelings of fatigue, may be indicative of a weak thyroid. Or, when taken together with bloating and burping after meals, and possible constipation, brittle nails may be indicative of insufficient stomach acidity for proper digestion. The body is not absorbing nutrients for lack of sufficient acid. When these conditions are present, they must be corrected before adequate nutrition and supplements can help.

Most deficiencies, however, are simply the result of insufficient nutrients. Protein, for instance, is very important: If you don’t get enough protein, the calcium in your nails is not properly utilized. You should eat at least 8 ounces of fish, chicken, or turkey each day.

Calcium is also very important, and supplements may be helpful, particularly for pregnant women, women past menopause, and people on a restricted-calorie or low-fat diet. Take 1,200 mg. of calcium once a day (I recommend calcium citrate as it is the calcium form best absorbed by the body). Biotin, a water-soluble B vitamin, is necessary for healthy skin and hair. In fact, it’s sometimes known as “the hair vitamin.” It plays a role in nail health, too. You can buy it at a health food store or pharmacy.

Iron deficiency is one of the most common causes for brittle nails. According to a study in England, researchers found that among five women suffering from iron deficiency anemia, all five [lad brittle nails. But, after the women took iron supplements, the nails weren’t brittle any longer. Too much iron can be as troublesome as too little, so be sure to have your blood tested before taking supplements.

Zinc deficiency is sometimes highlighted by white spots on the nail or the nail bed. People on restricted-calorie often suffer from zinc deficiency, as do many women just before their menstrual period. Finally, silica is a trace mineral that I’ve found useful for nails.

NATURAL PRESCRIPTION FOR FINGERNAIL PROBLEMS

• Protect you nails whenever possible from water and chemicals by wearing rubber gloves.
• Moisturize your hands, paying particular attention to nails and cuticles whenever possible.
• Use cuticle cream whenever possible.
• Make sure you are getting adequate protein in your diet.

IN ADDITION TO YOUR DALLY SUPPLEMENTS, TAKE:

• Calcium: 1,000 mg. per day, 1,200 mg. if you are pregnant or postmenopausal. Use calcium citrate.
• Biotin: 2,500 mcg. daily.
• Iron: 60 mg. a day (after having a blood test to determine if you are deficient).
• Zinc: 50 mg. a day
• Silica: amount as described on package label.