Natural, nutritional nail care

Better Nutrition, April, 1999 by Karyn Siegel-Maier

A results-oriented guide to nail health.

Our hands and feet take a lot of abuse, and, by "geographical" proximity, so do our nails. If you think about it, nails are actually designed to guard our delicate digits and even enhance their functioning.

Constructed of hard proteins such as keratin, the nails form a protective sheath over the sensitive nerve-filled endings of fingers and toes, insulating them from trauma, or daily dings. Otherwise, accidentally stubbing a toe or jamming a finger could lead to more serious injury of this sensitive tissue, aside from smarting a lot more.

Nails also enable us to pick up small objects (with our fingers, anyway). And, without fingernails, how would you tame an itch? There's no doubt about it -- nails are, indeed, useful, and, as tough as they may appear to be, they need a bit of protection from us.

Nutritional nail rescue

Your nails know, and tell, a lot about you and your state of health. Dry, brittle fingernails can be a sign of a vitamin A deficiency. Dryness, combined with ridges, may indicate a lack of B vitamins, and curved nail ends, or darkening of the nail, may mean you need more vitamin B-12. Splitting and cracking nails signal a lack of hydrochloric acid in the stomach (this is especially implied if you also have seasonal allergies). If you develop a fungus around the cuticle or in the nail bed, it may mean that you don't have enough "friendly" intestinal bacteria working for you, such as Lactobacillus acidophilus or Bifidobacteria bifidum. And, finally, insufficient protein, vitamin C, and folic acid may be suggested if you have frequent hangnails. If any of these conditions are present, you may want to consult a dermatologist or nutritionist to help correct any imbalances.

Other nutrients have also been shown to be key players in improving the condition of the nails. Biotin, a water-soluble member of the B-complex group of vitamins, can help increase the thickness of the nail plate in those who complain of having brittle nails. In one Swiss study, 63 percent of 35 adults given daily biotin supplementation showed clinical improvement in their nail structure. Biotin is naturally produced in the intestines, as well as being obtained from foods. While deficiency in biotin is somewhat rare, it sometimes occurs in individuals taking a long-term regimen of antibiotics, or those on a calorie-restricted diet for a considerable length of time.

Studies have revealed that silicon is also critical for healthy nails. In fact, the highest concentration of silicon in the body is found in connective tissue, such as skin and nails. Silicon is found in leafy, green plants and in several grains, but usually in insoluble form. Since silicon is eliminated from the body at a rate of 10-40 mg every day, and overall levels tend to decline with age, supplementation is one way to ensure that you're getting enough. Horsetail is a good herbal source of silicon, although primary-source silicon is also good, some of which features orthosilicic acid.

Real solutions for problem nails

The best course of action for problem nails is to stick to a diet low in fat and high in fiber. And, even healthy nails are better off without being subjected to harsh synthetic hardeners, polishes, and polish removers. These chemical-laden products can be harsh on nails and even result in allergy or chemical sensitivity. In fact, the nail absorbs chemicals faster than does the skin. For a natural conditioning treatment, soak your nails in 1/2 cup of warm olive oil or vinegar with a few drops of essential oil, depending on your particular needs.

In addition, there are several natural alternatives to synthetic nail products available in health food stores, such as nail butters, organic polish removers, and even semi-organic colored polishes.

Karyn Siegel-Maier is a freelance writer who specializes in herbs, alternative medicine, and new age issues. Karyn is a frequent contributor to national and regional magazines, newsletters, newspapers, and other publications. She is currently working on a series of herbal books.

RELATED ARTICLE: Essential oils for nail needs

[check] To strengthen nails: horsetail, lemon, grapefruit, rosemary

[check] To soften: evening primrose, carrot, calendula, papaya enzyme

[check] For infections: tea tree, thyme, myrrh, oregano