To boost their absorption, pair up with Vitamin C-rich foods like bell peppers, tomatoes, oranges and strawberries. Weak nails and vertical ridges can also be signs we're lacking key minerals such as magnesium, zinc, manganese and copper.
Common causes of nail problems include injury, infection and skin diseases such as eczema and psoriasis. Some conditions need professional treatment from a doctor or a dermatologist. People with diabetes or compromised immune systems have a higher risk of fungal nail infections.
Biotin supplements
Biotin is an essential vitamin that helps maintain the health of the nervous system, hair, and nails. Biotin is a B-vitamin that occurs naturally in foods, such as legumes, salmon, and eggs. However, biotin is water-soluble, which means that a person does not store it in their body.
Things that can improve your nail health include eating a healthy diet, drinking enough water, and protecting your hands. Here are a few tips for improving nail health: Go natural. Remove all nail polish and leave them free of polish for a few months to give your nails a chance to recover.
"While [olive oil] does not promote new growth per se, it does improve brittleness and reduce breakage, allowing the nails to grow to the best of their ability," says Dr. Zeichner. All of the fatty acids (aka Omega-3) in EVOO help to support the retention of moisture in the hair, skin, and nails.
Your nails might be thin or weak if you're not getting a balanced diet. Since nails are made of keratin, a type of protein, eating more protein can help thicken your nails. Healthy fats, such as omega 3s from nuts, and calcium are also important for strong, thick nails.
Everything from aging to poor nutrition can make your nails dry, thin, and easy to break. There are also some treatments and medical conditions that can make them brittle. But you don't have to put up with the problem. The right care can make all the difference in keeping your nails healthy and strong.
Because bendy nails can be caused by genetics, they're not always a sign of unhealthy nails in general. However, exposure to chemicals, working in a wet environment, getting acrylic tips or gel manicures, and potentially a lack of iron can cause brittle nails.
Koilonychia is indented nails. Instead of growing straight, your nails look concave, like spoons. In many people, koilonychia is a sign of iron deficiency. Usually, you can get rid of spoon nails by treating the underlying cause.
Some of the things that can cause nail ridges are infections, malnutrition, and other medical problems. So talk to your doctor to find the cause. He or she will ask you questions, examine you, and may order tests to see what is behind the problem.
Because of its involvement in protein synthesis, a process essential to nail growth, it's no surprise that magnesium helps create beautiful and strong nail plates. Sufficient mineral, vitamin, and nutrient intake is necessary to support the nail beds in growing nail tissue.
To help even out the surface of the nail, Remark recommends using a buffing block to smooth away ridges. “Just make sure not to over-buff, especially if your ridges are deep,” she says. “This can really thin out the nail plate.” You can buff your nails before you polish them to ensure a smoother manicure.