by Ann Major

Created on: September 07, 2010

If eyes are "windows to the soul", then definitely, nails are a reflection and a good indicator of a person's overall health.  Because nails are porous, they are sensitive to the environment and to chemicals.  So for nails to grow in a healthy way, they must be treated with tender loving care.  There are a number of factors which affect nail growth.

Nutritional Deficiencies:

Nails which do not grow consistently or appear unhealthy may be due to nutritional deficiencies in one's diet.  For nails to glow, a constant supply of protein, vitamins and minerals are needed to support and nurture nail maintenance.  Any kind of nutritional deficiency will show up on the nail.  Pale and yellow nails may be an indication of diabetes, whereas dry and brittle nails can signify a calcium deficiency.  If that is the case, eat a diet rich in spinach, turnip and collard greens.

White spots under the nails are telltale signs of either some kind of injury or a zinc deficiency.  A lack of zinc in one's diet means recovery is not taking place when there is trauma to the nails.  Foods which provide this are pumpkin seeds, fish and eggs.  When using supplementation for zinc source, copper must also be taken to keep good balance, so 2-4 mg of copper with zinc would be advisable. A zinc deficiency in the body also robs it of valuable calcium, essential for nail growth.  As well, a lack of silica may interfere with the growth of healthy nails.

Hangnails can be caused by a lack of protein, folic acid ( B vitamin), and Vitamin C.  Dry brittle nails along with white bands show a protein deficiency.  Nails with horizontal or vertical ridges may point to a Vitamin B deficiency.  Since nails are made of keratin ( a protein), Vitamin A becomes very important,  as it enables the body to utilize protein to grow strong nails.  The best foods to eat to get quality protein are egg yolks, oatmeal, fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds and whole grains.

When nails are spoon-shaped or with curled nail ends, dry, thin, or flat, there is usually a lack of Vitamin B12 in the body.  Inadequate stomach acid can cause nails to split because nutrients from foods are not being utilized properly, and the health of the nail is not being nourished.

Foods for Nail Growth:

When slow-growing nails signify a silica deficiency, herbal teas can be made from horsetail, nettle, or oatstraw, where the water is boiled very slowly and at low

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