August 2005

MONTHLY SKIN CARE TIP

Fingernails can reveal a lot about you and your state of health. Many people are careless about their nails. They use them instead of tools, immerse them in harsh soaps and detergents, hit or snag them accidentally, and 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 nutrition.

Fingernails are composed of a protein called Keratin. Healthy nails will be smooth and the nail bed will be pink, which indicates 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.

The most frequent cause for problem fingernails is overexposure to the elements and harsh chemicals. Every time your nails get wet they swell, then they shrink back when they dry off. This swell-shrink cycle, when repeated often enough, leaves your nails brittle and fragile. Cold weather and dry, heated rooms can cause a variety of problems from brittle nails to dry skin and cuticles. 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.

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% urea work particularly well.

Protein is very important for healthy nails. 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.

Iron deficiency is one of the most common causes for brittle nails, however, too much iron can be just as troublesome – make sure you have a blood test to determine if you are iron-deficient. Listed below are supplements that should be added to your daily intake:

• Calcium: 1,000 mg. per day (1,200 if you are pregnant or postmenopausal).
• 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: As described on package label

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